Many of you will remember that back in June this year I was proud to attend and be a sponsor of the Sykehouse International Film Festival, now the team behind that event are bringing us the Sykehouse Film and Writing Festival which is heading to my neck of the woods at St Asaph here in lovely North Wales.
This groundbreaking event by award-winning writer Samantha Lee Howe offers an unparalleled opportunity for filmmakers, novelists, and fans to network and celebrate. It marks the inaugural film and writing festival, set to take place in the stunning location of North Wales. This is an event not to be missed.
Sykehouse Film and Writing Festival is designed to provide a prime networking opportunity for writers, filmmakers, and fans of crime and horror in film and literature.
The weekend will kick off on Friday at 1 pm with the first round of literary panels. After dinner, there will be a networking mixer (drinks not included). On Saturday, the film and writing festivals will run concurrently. You can attend the panels, watch the selected films, or participate in one of the writing workshops to improve your skills and learn from the pros!
On Saturday evening, you’ll join us on the red carpet for pre-dinner drinks. This will be followed by a gala dinner and awards evening featuring the first-ever crime and horror writing awards called “THE NOOSE.” Following the immense success of their IMDb-approved Film Festival, as part of a new literary endeavour launched by USA Today best-selling author Samantha Lee Howe, the annual Noose Awards will celebrate the best Horror and Crime novel, and Short Story published in a given year. Smanatha decided to expand with a second Festival on the 24 and 25 October 2025. But this has been combined with a Writer’s Conference, mixing film directors, producers and actors with the writers who provide the core material for them to work from, allowing networking and discussion.
Samantha Lee Howe has said, ‘I’m a massive fan of film and writing and to put them together seemed an obvious thing to do,’ explained Howe. ‘We have a networking session as well as a day of films and writing panels and discussions, all capped by a Red Carpet, a three-course Gala Dinner with celebrities and an Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening. Our inaugural Noose Awards are part of that: an opportunity to award the best writing in the year.‘
The three Awards are being judged by panels of experienced reviewers and readers, and the results will be announced at the October Festival.
‘The Noose Awards are a very welcome addition to the literary landscape,‘ commented Crime/Thriller novel judge Tim Rideout. ‘New writing is always worthy of celebration. The Noose Awards will be such a celebration, bringing the spotlight to bear on the very best contemporary thriller and horror fiction.’
‘Great writing is in my bones,‘ added Horror judge Adele Maddison, ‘and I’m excited to be reading some of the great books submitted by so many talented authors and publishers. The ‘Slipknot’ award will be a celebration and accolade for all the hard-working writers out there.‘
In charge of judging for the Short Story Award is Mike Linane. ‘To be able to write a short story that is a thumping good read requires a special skill,‘ says Mike, ‘and I am delighted that authors that manage to pull this off brilliantly will be celebrated by the new ‘Silken Rope’ Award.‘
For more information on how to submit books and stories for the Awards, as well as details of the festivals, please visit www.slhfilmfest.com.
The SYKEHOUSE FILMFEST AWARDS will follow the Noose Awards. The event will be filled with music, comedy, and fun!
Blazing Minds will be at the event in an official capacity as photographers of the red carpet and coverage of the event. We can’t wait to chat with guests, authors, and celebrities during the Sykehouse Film & Writing Festival. This is going to be a superb event for the area. The event is supporting two charities Pink Ribbon Foundation and St Kentigerns Hospice.
Tickets for the Sykehouse Film & Writing Festival are available from Eventbrite, so grab yours now!
We’ll bring you more news on the event as and when we have it, so keep those eyes peeled. In the meantime don’t forget to follow Sykehouse Film Fest on Facebook and Instagram.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
