Screams By The Sea 2027

Screams By The Sea returns to Pavilion Dance South West on Saturday 6 March 2027, bringing another edition of its independent genre film festival to Bournemouth. It's a day dedicated to horror, sci-fi, dark fantasy and thrillers, and submissions are currently open, so if you've got a film in the works, there's still time to get it in.

The programme for this edition is built around six feature films and three hours of short films, with a screenwriting competition running alongside. The festival is international in scope, drawing independent genre cinema from around the world rather than sticking to one region. It's a non-profit that's grown over the years to include more than just screenings: there are industry talks, workshops, a 'Screams Market' for those interested in the business side of things, and fringe events scattered around the main programme.

Beyond the screen, the festival is set up as a social thing as much as a cinematic one. The organisers describe it as a celebration of the genre, with a focus on getting people to engage with other horror fans, share stories and take part in activities alongside the films. That community side is a good part of why it's grown into what it is now, with the industry talks and workshops adding a layer for anyone who makes these things as well as those who just love watching them. It's supported by the Bournemouth Town Centre BID and BFI Filmhub SW.

So, if you're into the darker end of cinema, mark 6 March in your calendar. Screams By The Sea will be at Pavilion Dance South West in Bournemouth, with six features, three hours of shorts and a screenwriting competition on the bill.