- Classic horror films
- Talks
- Locally made short films
October 25th, 26th & 27th
Festival programme
Those familiar with the Fear in the Fens format know that we like to offer great value entertainment and we have an especially packed programme for you this year!
Note: we try our best to stick to our busy programme, but we can be subject to technical or other issues beyond our control.
Friday October 25th
How to get your wristbands
Friday October 25th
Access to all events is through your wristband. Day tickets for Saturday are RED, and full-festival tickets are GREEN.
We will be at the Alive Corn Exchange King's Lynn from midday until shortly before the start of the first event.
If you come to our desk with your proof of purchase, we will give you your wristband and goody bag.
We will also be at the start of each of that evening's events. Look for someone wearing a 'STAFF' lanyard.
Saturday October 26th
Make your way to the cinema on the first floor of the Alive Corn Exchange King's Lynn.
Bring your proof of purchase and you will given your wristband and goody bag.
Sunday October 22nd
Everyone should have their wristbands by Sunday afternoon, but we will be there for the start of the Ghost Walk and will be on hand for any questions etc. Look for someone wearing a 'STAFF' lanyard.
Friday October 25th
2pm King's Lynn's Darker History - Conflicts, Murders, Executions
Meet outside the Tourist Information Centre on the Saturday Market Place (Google Maps link).
Brace yourself as you discover ransoms, massacres, naked bodies, treacherous aristocrats, a missing body and the whipping post. Plus, the boiling and all the duckings, burnings, hangings, and quarterings.
This walk lasts around 1.5 hours at a gentle strolling pace. Sensible shoes are advised as you will encounter cobbles and kerbs.
You can join the walk if you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, but there may be some limitations.
Wherever possible the guide will try to be inclusive of accessibility needs. However, there may be some places where full access may not be possible.
3.30pm FREE Entry to Stories of Lynn Museum for green wristband holders
Access via the Tourist Information Centre on the Saturday Market Place (Google Maps link ).
www.storiesoflynn.co.uk/collection
Situated under the shadow of the majestic King's Lynn Minster on Saturday Market Place, Stories of Lynn is home to The Old Gaol House, which was where, for over 400 years, Lynn’s most notorious citizens were imprisoned.
The Old Gaol House began as a medieval prison with just four cells, then became a House of Correction, or Bridewell, housing petty criminals and debtors. At its peak as a Victorian gaol, it held up to 50 prisoners. When the gaol closed, the building became a police lockup, and was in use as recently as the 1950s.
The Old Gaol House explores the town hall’s history as King’s Lynn’s magistrate’s court. Visitors will hear the eerie sound of a prisoner being called up the narrow stairs from the cells to the court, to learn his fate. Or see the skull of a schoolteacher who was convicted of murder - it was preserved as the Victorians believed in phrenology: reading someone’s character in the shape of their skull. A ducking stool, leg irons, gibbet and dark corners of the old cells await you.
7pm - 8.15pm Norfolk Coast: Myths and Legends
www.marriottswarehousetrust.co.uk
Meet at the Marriotts Warehouse (2nd Floor, accessible by stairs or lift) (Google Maps link).
A presentation on the new 'Norfolk Coast: Myths & Legends' trail book This event is open to all, but there will be a complimentary copy of the books for green wristband holders).
PLUS: speakers TBC
Saturday October 26th,
The Alive Corn Exchange
10am to 10pm
Fear in the Fens Film Festival main event.
A packed day of vintage horror films, speakers and locally made horror shorts (programme TBC)
10am to 10.45pm
Opening comments and talk
Kit Lewis: Through the Looking Glass.
Exploring how scrying glasses, crystal balls and magic mirrors have featured in legends, fairy stories and tales of the supernatural, including the films being screened at this year's festival.
Kit Lewis will also examine how fiction has reflected the reality of scrying through examples such as the Elizabethan magician Dr John Dee.
15-minute break
11am to 12.40 pm
Film 1: From Beyond the Grave (1974).
We're opening with a true classic of the portmanteau film genre, featuring a strong cast that includes Donald and Angela Pleasance, David Warner, Diana Dors and Peter Cushing.
15-minute break
1pm to 1.50 pm
Nasty, Brutish and Short
Fear in the Fens brings you the cream of locally made horror shorts - with your chance to vote for the winner of this year's Golden Shuck award
Lunch until 3pm
3pm to 3.45pm
Selene Paxton-Brooks: Recurring Nightmare - the making of Dead of Night
Having been born in Ealing, London, Selene has a deep interest in the 1945 film, ‘Dead of Night’ and will be discussing the origins, stories and locations hidden within the film, and how it influenced a generation of horror with its portmanteau structure based on a sequence of dreams.
15-minute break
4pm to 5.35 pm
Film 2: Dead of Night.
Not just a true classic of the horror genre.
Not just a great British horror film.
Simply one the best horror films ever made, with a strong cast including Michael Redgrave, an intelligent plot and a set of perfectly matched short films that balance character-led drama, humour and genuine chills.
Dinner until 7.15pm
7.15 pm to 8pm
Gavin Baddeley: We are delighted to have Gavin return to Fear in the Fens with a talk tailored to our programme this year.
Gavin Baddeley, author and aficionado of all things Gothic, takes us on a quirky deep dive into the roots and history of the horror anthology. From Ancient Greek philosophy, to vampires in Glasgow graveyards, Gavin dissects the black heart of the portmanteau horror picture, exploring just what makes this such a popular format for fans of fear on film...
15-minute break
8.15 pm to 9.50pm
Film 3: Tales of the Crypt.
Another great portmanteau film from the Amicus stable - with this one being sired by plots drawn from some of the best of the pre-code grisly EC Comics. Stand by for some dark, humour featuring Peter Cushing, Ralph Richardson, Joan Collins and Ian Hendry.
10pm - Close
Sunday October 27th, Saturday Market Place King's Lynn
4 pm - 6pm (approx)
The Original King's Lynn Ghost Tour
Meet outside the Tourist Information Centre on the Saturday Market Place (Google Maps link).
This walk finishes at Tuesday Market Place, near the Alive Corn Exchange.
Come and listen to ghost stories, myths and legends with The Original King’s Lynn Ghost Tour.
With 26 stops along the way, we will begin our journey at the Saturday Market Place with a walk of around 1.8 miles, taking approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, finishing at the Tuesday Market Place.
The tour is suitable for 12 years+ only, as some of the content may not be suitable for a younger audience.
Please wear sensible shoes to walk in as we will encounter cobbles and kerbs.
If you’re unsteady on your feet this may not be for you.
The route is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters as we have alternative options and dropped kerbs where needed.
Please arrive five minutes before the tour starts, wearing sensible comfortable shoes, warm clothing if needed and an umbrella if rain is forecast.
A torch is also advised for those dark streets and alleyways.
We hope you enjoy the tour.
Feel free to take photographs, but no filming please.
Alcohol is not permitted on the tour and if you appear drunk on arrival you will be asked to leave.
Bonus discount! on the day of your tour you are entitled to 10% off all food and drinks at The Lattice House, or 10% off all food, beer and wine at Bank House, The Wenn’s, Tipsy Teapot and Marriott's Warehouse, just show your booking reference you will get when you receive your wristband when paying, enjoy!