UK Dracula Film Festival Comes to Derby

Derby, UK – The UK Dracula Film Festival will take place at QUAD in Derby, marking the 100th anniversary of the first adaptation of Dracula, which premiered in the city in 1924.

A Century of Dracula

The festival will showcase a range of classic film screenings, cult classics, and obscure gems, highlighting the evolution of the world’s most famous vampire over the last century.

Film Highlights

• 1931 Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi
• Billy the Kid vs Dracula
• Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream (late-night double bill)
• Countess Dracula and Dracula’s Fiancee (female Dracula portrayals)
• The Monster Squad, Mad Monster Party?, and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (comedy classics)

Expert Talks

• Local film historian Darrell Buxton explores the comedic side of Dracula
• Kieran Foster discusses the many unmade Hammer Dracula movies

Festival Details

Festival co-ordinator and University of Derby Associate Lecturer Alex Davis said, “The visual appearance of Dracula was forged in Derby, which we are raising awareness of with this event. If you are a lover of vampires – whether it is horror, comedy, or something in between – then the UK Dracula Film Festival is the ideal weekend for you.”

UK Dracula Film Festival Programmer and QUAD Film and Cinema Manager Adam J Marsh added, “I’m really looking forward to spending a weekend with the Count this September. Filmmakers across the world have reinterpreted the character in so many unique and delightful ways it’s going to be a real treat to see them up on the big screen, in Derby, where they belong.”

Tickets and Information

Passes are available for the full weekend event, as well as tickets for individual films. For more information or to book tickets, visit https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/season-festival/ukdracula/ or call 01332 290606.

Dracula Returns to Derby

The festival is part of the “Dracula Returns to Derby” research project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and led by the University of Derby. The project marks the premiere of Hamilton Deane’s adaptation of Dracula, which happened in Derby in 1924. Follow the project on Facebook @thederbydracula and Instagram @derbydracula.