POV

Found footage horror continues to be a highly popular form of the genre, tracing its roots back to classics such as The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, [REC}, Paranormal Activity and many more. Inspired by these integral films, QUAD will be hosting a day of found footage features and shorts with POV: THE FOUND FOOTAGE PROJECT on the Saturday 22nd November.

The event kicks off at 1pm with the Short Film Showcase, taking in two locally-made shortsfrom exciting regional talent with Royston Vale Road (directed by Chris Annable) and Exhibit B (directed by David Gregory). We’ll also be joined by both directors for a Q+A after the screening, allowing a chance to discuss their process, inspiration and more.

Our second movie at 2:15pm also has a distinctive local connection; Beyond The Witching Hour comes to us from Midlands-based director John Williams, and sees two paranormal Youtubers exploring the legend of a Derbyshire witch. But when the duo stay in what was her cottage, they discover the truth may be even darker than the legend…

The 4:30pm movie, In Our Blood, has been successful at a number of high-profile festivals and is out first US entry in the programme. The movie follows aspiring filmmaker Emily Wyland as she documents her reconnecting with her estranged mother; but after her mom goes missing, the search for what the family legacy really is becomes ever more unsettling.

Our penultimate screening at 6:30pm is It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This, directed by and starring Rachel Kempf and Nick Toti. The result of many years of work, this unique movie experiment will only EVER be shown in cinemas; no streaming and no physical release will ever happen, making this a must-watch for the festival! The movie has gained a cult following across many festival screenings, and is an exciting addition to the programme.

The day closes with a classic of the genre in [REC}, one of Spain’s most acclaimed horror films and a superb example of just how effective found footage horror can be. When a reporter and a cameraman following an emergency crew into a dark apartment building, they find that the situation is far graver – and far more horrific – than they could ever have imagined.

Each feature film will also be preceded with a short film, giving the chance to catch some exciting new directors at work in the world of found footage!

Festival co-ordinator Alex Davis said: ‘Found footage has opened up so many new possibilities for horror directors, so POV feels timely and relevant in 2025. From the get-go we were keen to have some great Derby and Derbyshire representation at the event, and we’re delighted to have that on both the shorts and features front! We’ve got some great takes on the form throughout the day, all different in their own ways, and I can’t wait to present them on the 22nd November.’

Festival passes and individual film screening tickets can be purchased at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/pov/ or in person at the QUAD Box Office.