Picture: Mick Etherton (far left) at the 2 Days Laughter competition

by Jamie Stephens

jstephens@thekmgroup.co.uk

A veritable fright fest is on offer at The Theatre Royal this Halloween as Kent's biggest short film competition returns to Margate.

In keeping with Halloween, 2 Days Later will see a jam-packed schedule of horror shorts being aired today.

This is the eighth year of the popular event which sees filmmakers from across the UK and abroad flock to Thanet to screen their own work.

If the date and subject matter isn't enough to get the hairs on the back of your neck going, the venue itself will add an extra dimension to the fear factor.

The 200-year-old Theatre Royal is one of the South East's most haunted places and reputedly frequented by a number of ghosts, including that of a former stage manager and an actor who committed suicide by throwing himself from a balcony into the orchestra pit in the early 1900s.

Entries have come from all around the UK and as far afield as New Zealand, Brazil and Rwanda. Co-organiser Mick Etherton, of Margate-based film company Beeping Bush said: "There's been some top notch entries this year. 485 filmmakers were involved and so we have spent a very long and agonising time going through the selection process.

"The judges' shortlisted entries this year seem more psychological than slasher. You can see that a lot of work has gone into telling the story and script development."

The top 40 films are being screened, including nine films which were produced in Kent; five of which have been shortlisted. Broadstairs filmakers Marc Castro and Max Philo won this year's Two Days Laughter award and have made it into the Judges' picks once again with the apocalyptic tale Where the Boats Decay, which was filmed in Dungeness.

Although the event is for over 18s only, it's not just blood and guts on the menu, with many of the shorts mixing comedy with shock to great effect.

The judging panel includes Kim Newman - film critic for Empire Magazine - and Doctor Who, Torchwood and Spooks screenwriter James Moran. Mr Moran joked: "Every year I see huge amounts of talent and creativity from brilliant people making movies in two days with no money. They all go on the list of Clever People I Must Destroy So They Don't Take My Job."

The films will be screened in two parts: Tales of Terror from 1pm, and then the prestigious Judges' Shortlisted Evening screening, from 7pm.

The day will culminate with the award presentations plus an audience vote for most popular film.

For more details go to www.2dayslater.co.uk/screen/hallowe.html.

Fancy dress is definitely the preferred attire!