MetFilm School lecturers premiere films at FrightFest 2025

Two MetFilm School lecturers had their latest projects premiered at FrightFest, the UK’s leading festival for horror and genre cinema. James Pickering, Course Leader on the MA Screen and Film Production course at MetFilm School Manchester, and Craig Ennis, lecturer at the Brighton campus, both showcased new films at the iconic ODEON Leicester Square.

James Pickering – He Kills At Night

For Manchester-based lecturer and filmmaker James Pickering, premiering his new feature, He Kills At Night, at FrightFest in London’s West End, marks a major career milestone. 

Written and produced by Pickering and directed by his brother Tom, the Christmas-set thriller was filmed earlier this year across Yorkshire locations including Sheffield, Bridlington, Holmfirth and Stocksbridge. 

The film stars Levi Heaton, Richard Galloway and Isabella Percival and tells the story of a mother desperate to reconnect with her estranged family on Christmas Eve – only to be abducted by a blood-soaked stranger and forced to help him flee the country.

Produced under Pickering’s company Memphis James Pictures (named after his three-year-old son), the film promises a tense, twist-driven narrative in the tradition of John Carpenter. For Pickering, the project not only represents an important career moment, but also reflects his teaching philosophy: grounding students in the realities of the industry.

Thirteen MetFilm School students worked on the production, covering roles across camera, art, and production departments – with two securing paid positions. “It’s one thing to learn about production in a classroom,” he explains. “It’s another to be on a live set where things change minute by minute. You learn problem-solving, teamwork and how to deliver under pressure. Those are lessons you carry for life.”

Craig Ennis – Captured Souls: In Conversation with Graham Humphreys

Also premiering at FrightFest this year is a new feature documentary edited and produced by MetFilm School Brighton lecturer Craig Ennis, created in collaboration with director Chris Collier.

The film centres on Graham Humphreys, the legendary illustrator whose poster designs for films such as A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Evil Dead have become iconic in horror cinema. Humphreys has provided the official artwork for FrightFest every year, and the documentary featuring contributions from figures including Reece Shearsmith and Andy Nyman, charts his life, artistry, and enduring influence.

For Ennis, the project feels like a homecoming. “Graham’s artwork has become inseparable from FrightFest,” he explains. “Premiering this film here, to an audience who already understands just how important his work is to the genre, feels incredibly special.”

Alongside his film work, Ennis continues to nurture the next generation of filmmakers. In 2024 he co-founded the Made in Sussex Film Festival with Lewes Depot, celebrating local talent over a three-day programme. Building on lessons learned from FrightFest, he hopes to grow the festival further in 2026.

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