AN international horror film festival is to take place in a Bradford micro pub.

Haunted House FearFest showcases grassroots independent horror films, and organisers are seeking up-and-coming film-makers to take part.

The event - which founder Anthony Kelly says "celebrates the crack of bone and spill of blood" - is due to take place at the Idle Draper in March 2022. Anthony is hopeful that a scaled-down version of the 2021 festival can also be held there this summer, depending on safety regulations.

Haunted House FearFest was launched in Morecambe in 2019 and Anthony went on to run a monthly horror event in Berlin, where he is based. He said: "As we know, the ultimate nightmare took place in 2020, and Covid-19 shut down and killed many venues and events. With nothing but hope and a desire to keep going, the team fought on. Dates being pushed back caused several issues, and the decision was made to host the festival online. The 2021 edition took place on XERB.TV over nine days. A preview show and awards show were added and the public reaction was outstanding."

Now the horror festival has joined forces with The Idle Draper. "It was the first micro-pub in the area," said Anthony. "Built over two floors in what was formerly know as Briggs Draper, the pub proudly boasts its inclusion in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. It has an immaculate beer garden and, along with its cinema screening room, it's a truly unique venue.

"Its proprietor, Jim Emmett, has a real passion for the venue and his brewing. Despite the lockdown, Jim has supported his staff and our festival. Now the Idle Draper is open for business, and we can get back to looking forward to being live once again."

The festival - which will showcase a variety of short and feature films, as well as horror-themed music videos, experimental film and documentaries - is due at the pub on the last week of March 2022 and will also run online on XERB.TV.

Anthony, whose own horror film, Call of the Hunter, was shot for just £15,000 over 11 days and won several awards in the industry, is seeking new independent fil-makers with "a passion for horror".

"We want to share our love of horror and all its sub-genres," he said. "For me, the festival is also about giving something to young and aspiring film-makers.

"Our goal is to bring film-makers and audiences a unique experience, not only via rewards but by promoting, advising and helping to advance the careers of artists.

"We hope it will help lay a foundation for new and upcoming film-makers to further their careers."

* For more about the festival go to hauntedhousefearfest.com