WELCOME TO A REALM WITH NO LIMITS!
VIDEO NASTIES GENRE FILMFEST is a spectacular live event, held in the heart of London, where the "video nasties" phenomenon was originally birthed. Our first screening event happened 31 October 2023, and was hosted by celebrity screenwriting legend David McGillivray (Frightmare, Satan’s Slave).
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In the 1980s, new video distribution companies in Britain got the idea to make a fast buck by distributing cheesy, low-budget and violent Italian and American horror films.
Unfortunately, at the time there was no law that required videotapes to be classified before being rented, and anyone of any age could legally rent any video; so films such as Cannibal Holocaust and I Spit on Your Grave could be (and were) rented by children as young as 10.
In 1984, the Video Recordings Act was passed, which made it illegal to distribute any film that had not been classified. The British Board of Film Classification created the infamous list of the "Video Nasties". This ultimately comprised 72 films, of which 39 had been successfully prosecuted. Video stores renting them were subject to police raids.
In 2023, we believe that VIDEO NASTIES should no longer be a term of derision - we want to celebrate genre films that exist outside of the "mainstream" ... and create a new venue to enjoy these risky, challenging and bold works of art.
We are curating films that are not for the faint of heart! Films that engage the senses, challenge our moral compasses, and give us frissons of intensity!
Videos in the genres of:
HORROR NASTIES - films that explore the supernatural, or the evil in the hearts of men, in a way that shocks, engrosses, and disturbs.
SCI-FI NASTIES - films that push the boundaries of what is possible with technology, and throughout the universe, known and unknown, beyond our comprehension.
EROTIC NASTIES - films that titillate, push the boundaries of sexuality, modesty, morality, and propriety. If they wouldn't be censored elsewhere, they don't belong here.
COMIC NASTIES - films that shine a light on the base absurdities of existence. These are not sitcoms; they challenge what offends us, or what we can say, in a satirical or parodic way.
We accept content from anywhere in the world - even from the gates of Hell!
Trophies and laurels will be given to the best of the festival in a number of categories, as adjudicated by a celebrity panel. These will be presented at the event to those filmmakers who are able to attend.
Cash award and prizes will be given at our discretion, to be announced at a later date (subject to sponsorship, etc.)
CURRENT CATEGORIES
NASTY OF NASTIES - awarded to the year's best video nasty
SHORT NASTY - awarded to the best nasty under 15 minutes
NASTY GORE - awarded for the best special effects and/or Original
COMIC NASTY - awarded to the nasty that makes us laugh most
NASTY SEXY - awarded to the best erotic nasty
NASTY DIRECTOR - awarded for the best direction of a video nasty
NASTY THESPIAN - awarded to the best actor(s) in a video nasty (gender non-specific)
DIE NASTY DIE - awarded for the best death scene
NASTY CAMERA - awarded for the best camerawork and lighting
MUSIC NASTY - awarded for best original music score
EDITING NASTY - awarded to the nasty with the best editing
SCRIPT NASTY - awarded to the best script writer(s) screen, radio or stage