What is known as Scotland's International Horror Film Festival (posh title for superior nasties) opens at Edinburgh's Filmhouse on April 26 for three days of blood letting and supernatural monstrousness. The originator and queen of the dark, Adele Hartley (adele@deadbydawn.co.uk), is once more in charge of your sleepless nights and fearful days.

The world premiere of Southern Gothic, with writer/director Mark Young in attendance - he's the gentleman at the back with a pallid complexion and unusual teeth - will open the first vein. UK premieres of Mulberry Street, Shutter, Gruesome (called Salvage in the States - imagine Groundhog Day and getting murdered over and over), The Hamiltons from San Francisco, The Abandoned from Spain, the impressive End Of The Line from Quebec, La Hora Fria (The Dark Hour) from Spain and Flight Of The Living Dead (zombies, not snakes, on a plane) with writer/director Scott Thomas on hand for a Q&A - if his parachute opens.

There is an all night screamfest and other chilling treats for scareophiles and gore junkies, with guest of honour Alex de la Iglesia (Day Of The Beast, Perdita Durango, Accion Mutante) from Spain presiding over the (blood) red carpet. "I wouldn't want the kind of movies I do to become trendy," he is reported to have uttered. "I've always hated trends and I would feel quite uncomfortable creating one." Perhaps it will happen in Edinburgh, between the full moon and the Day of Judgment.