The 10th Film4 FrightFest kicked off in its new home at London’s mammoth Empire Leicester Square cinema in suitable style, with the screening of a short American Werewolf in London spoof starring directors Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2) and Adam Green (Hatchet). The hilarious vignette both introduced the audience to this year’s festival and reminded everyone that one of the highlights of this year’s proceedings would be the premiere screening of the remastered American Werewolf. Both Lynch and Green were in the audience as the FrightFest team of Alan Jones, Ian Rattray, Paul McEvoy and Greg Day introduced the opening night film, Triangle.

Directed by Brit Chris Smith (Creep, Severance), Triangle proved to be a creepy start to the festival. Starring Melissa George (The Amityville Horror) as single mum Jess, whose decision to embark on a boating trip with friends proves to be the first step into a terrifying, mind-bending nightmare, the film is both intelligent and effective. Both Smith and George were on hand to discuss the film afterwards; the director was clearly thrilled to be involved in FrightFest, particularly with a film that had taken him over four years to write and make, while George explained how much she enjoyed the experience of working with a film-maker “who had the balls” to write such a story.

Film-makers were then treated to screenings of The Hills Run Red and Infestation, while the lucky few headed off to the opening night party at Soho’s Century Club. As we mingled late into the night with Triangle‘s cast and crew, plus special guest John Landis, we tried to remember that we had to get up early for the next day’s films…