Maniacs, monsters, demons, creepy kids, apocalyptic visions, phobias, heavy metal meltdown and snails... Welcome to this year's wild and eclectic mix of cutting edge short films from the global arena of the fantasy and horror genre. The ninety-minute film extravaganza is a tasty selection box of Sunday afternoon treats, sponsored once again by Horror Channel. It will kick-off at 1pm on Sunday 26th August at the Empire Cinema in London's Leicester Square.

Chello Zone's Chief Programming Officer Chris Sharp said today, "It's another fantastic line-up we're proud to be sponsoring at FrightFest. Supporting new talent is key to Horror Channel's success. With most directors starting their careers with a short film, we'll be keeping a beady-eye on this year's showcase. Our very own Emily Booth and team will be there capturing all the mayhem and interviewing the top talent for our viewers and website visitors. We'll also be broadcasting from the festival to our Horror Channel viewers in Italy and are especially impressed by the calibre of Italian film-makers attending this year. Get your autograph books ready!!

Horror Channel has been involved with FrightFest for the past eleven years and in August will be screening FrightFest Director's Nights Season, where the team behind FrightFest pick their favourites from the festival's past 13 years.

Programme - Sunday 26 August, 1pm onwards

The Halloween Kid - UK Director Axelle Carolyn
8-year-old Henry, a lonely and imaginative child, can only finds happiness on Halloween... Narrated by Derek Jacobi and starring Anna Walton, Julian Glover, Dave Legeno and Leo Donnelly

Alexis - Spain Director Alberto Evangelio
Nine year old Alexis has killed his parents, but can concerned officials uncover the supernatural truth?

Gargols! (Snails!) - Spain Director Geoffrey Cowper
Three friends are partying in a park, when suddenly, Joey sees his first girlfriend, Eva. Joey decides to go talk to her, and when he finally tells her that he's still in love with her, a king-kong size snail appear to ruin his night.

My Brother's Keeper (Or How I Learned To Survive The Apocalypse) - UK Director Jen Moss
Holed up at the end of the world with her well-meaning but dim-witted brother Jo (Alex Esmail), Jess (April Pearson) isn’t sure what will destroy her will to live first: the zombies or Jo's incessant optimism.

Lot 254 - UK Director Toby Meakin
A Collector discovers that a vintage cine camera bought at auction is broken. Repairing it unlocks the hidden terror of LOT 254.

Un Jour Sang - France Director Steven Pravong
She's not free. He will destroy her, ruin her, profane her...This story is not new. Let's tell it differently...

Metal Creepers - Spain Director J Oskura Najera and Adrian Cardona
A popular glam metal band is in the recording studio putting together their next record. Their producer hands them some strange scores that supposedly have magic powers.

Tokophobia - UK Director Evrim Ersoy, James Pearcey and Russell Would
A young woman, alone in her house on a sunny afternoon, discovers she is pregnant and in her mind there can only be one course of action.

The Captured Bird - Canada Director Jovanka Vuckovic
In this dark fable, a little girl is drawn to a mysterious mansion where she witnesses the birth of five horrifying apparitions.

Look out for interviews from all of these directors on the Horror Channel site over the next five weeks.