What was the first horror film that made you sleep with the lights on?
Alien. I remember seeing that at 2 a.m. at a friend’s place when I was about 12. It didn’t make me sleep with the lights on as such, but I didn’t like waking up in the dark. For several weeks I dreamt I was in one of the Nostromo’s hibernation pods next to the crew, knowing what was about to happen but unable to say anything. Every morning when I woke up, I’d reach up to make sure there wasn’t a pod door above my head.

What’s harder — running a genre festival or surviving one?
Running one, for sure — but it’s totally worth it. I love watching the films on the big screen alongside fans and seeing their reactions. We don’t just screen horror: there’s thriller, sci-fi, action, fantasy, and even unique comedy. That mix keeps it fresh — but we still love to scare them with the best horror premieres around.

You’ve hosted everything from classics to cult oddities. What gets the loudest reaction from a crowd?
Films with unique stories and surprises that aren’t just jump scares. It’s often what you don’t see that gets the biggest reaction. Funnily enough, the loudest screening ever was the comedy Hundreds of Beavers. I’ve never been in a cinema where people laughed loudly for two straight hours — it was incredible.

If Terror-Fi were a horror sub-genre, what would it be?
Psychological horror. We love it when audiences are still thinking about a film long after they leave. If someone tells me years later they still remember a film they saw at Terror-Fi, we’ve done our job.

“We love it when the audience is still thinking about a film long after they leave the cinema.” — James Partridge

You’re developing a sequel to Black Sheep. What can we expect — more gore or more baa-humour?
We’re currently shooting BLACK SHEEPS. It’s a true sequel and will be an absolute blast in the cinema. The creature effects are awesome and the gore suitably gnarly, but never at the expense of the story. Jonathan King’s script is fantastic and the local cast and crew are amazing. And yes — the humour’s back. It wouldn’t be a true sequel without it.

What’s the most unexpected film that’s packed out a Terror-Fi screening?
Definitely Hundreds of Beavers. Made for USD $150 k and released with no trailer, it became our second-highest attended film behind the world premiere of Five Nights at Freddy’s. Every encore screening since has sold out.

Who’s your dream horror director to bring to NZ?
John Carpenter. I adore The Thing and would pester him with a thousand questions. Bernard Rose is another — Candyman is right up there with The Thing for me. On the indie side, Demián Rugna (When Evil Lurks) — that film had me literally squirming in my seat saying “no, no, no” — in the best way possible.

You’re trapped in a cinema overnight. The power cuts. Which horror soundtrack is playing?
Philip Glass’s Candyman score. It’s hauntingly beautiful and sends chills down my spine every time.

Best cure for a horror hangover?
A clever, laugh-out-loud indie comedy like Greener Grass, Hundreds of Beavers, or this year’s Nirvanna: The Band – The Show – The Movie.

Why do audiences love being scared?
Adrenaline, dopamine, and endorphins kick in when you’re watching a good horror. It’s a shared rush — and that’s why horror should always be experienced in a cinema.

The final cut
Terror-Fi isn’t just a festival — it’s a full-body experience. The screams, the laughter, the popcorn flying out of your hands. This year, the Shepherd of Screams himself returns with another wicked line-up that’ll keep you checking under the bed long after the credits roll.

New Zealand’s genre fest — 2025 dates:
Opening Night: 29 Oct (All Cities)
Wellington: 30 Oct – 2 Nov
Auckland: 6 Nov – 9 Nov
Christchurch: 12 Nov – 18 Nov
Bonus Screenings: 5 + 12 + 13 Nov (All Cities)

— Roger Wyllie, View Mag

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