Forbidden Worlds Mega Film festival in Bristol 23-26 April
Posted on: 20 Apr 2026Bristol’s largest repertory genre film festival returns to Bristol Megascreen from 23–26 April, celebrating fantasy cinema from across the globe. This year’s programme includes screenings of a new 4K restoration of the Arthurian classic Excalibur, alongside the French horror-adventure The Brotherhood of the Wolf, the prehistoric epic The Clan of the Cave Bear, and the fantasy samurai adventure The Legend of the 8 Samurai.
Special guests include Highlander and Poldark star Beatie Edney, master royal armourer Terry English—whose designs feature in films such as Excalibur, First Knight and more—and Charley Boorman, son of director John Boorman.
The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation will also be in attendance, presenting a special 45th anniversary screening of the 1981 classic Clash of the Titans.
For Full Lineup and Tickets Click HERE
“With Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey out later this year, the recent success of the 25th anniversary re-release of The Lord of the Ringstrilogy, a new Masters of the Universe film on the horizon and the assorted spin-offs and on-going popularity of the Game of Thronesand Outlander TV shows, it’s clear that the fantasy genre has never been bigger,” says Forbidden Worlds co-director Timon Singh. “However when it comes to film festivals, it is very rarely represented with genre programmers often tending to favour sci-fi or horror. That is why this year, we’re all out with a wide range of classic and cult films featuring swords and sorcery.”
David Taylor, festival co-director and owner of Bristol’s video shop 20th Century Flicks, says: “Fantasy films were my gateway into the world of renting movies. The cover art alone sent my 5 year old mind into overdrive and the stories of gods and monsters were just the right side of horror to provoke awe, and not nightmares.
“Clash of the Titans was the VHS case I kept returning to back then, but I’m grateful to now have the opportunity to help programme some of the more grown-up stuff that was on the shelves out of my reach back then.”
Special Guests in Attendance
Special guests include world-renowned armourer Terry English, who created the spectacular costumes and swords for Excalibur and has crafted armour for numerous landmark productions including Aliens, First Knight, Batman & Robin and Gladiator, as well as for actors such as Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, Richard Gere, Patrick Stewart and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Terry English will be attending the festival from 23–24 April, where audiences will have the chance to view a selection of his handmade armour and film props up close. He will also introduce the screening of Excalibur, offering insight into his craft and what it’s like creating bespoke armour for performers including Dame Helen Mirren and Liam Neeson.
Also present for the Excalibur screening will be Charley Boorman, son of director John Boorman, who appeared in the film as young Mordred.
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For the special 40th anniversary screening of Highlander on Friday 23 April, we are delighted to welcome star Beatie Edney for a Q&A screening of the cult fantasy classic. Edney, who played Heather MacLeod in both the original film and its 2000 sequel Highlander: Endgame, has worked extensively in film and television since the early 1980s and is widely recognised for her role as Prudie Paynter in Poldark (2015–2019).
Before the screening, Edney will be interviewed by Jonathan Melville, author of A Kind of Magic: Making the Original Highlander, Seeking Perfection: The Unofficial Guide to Tremors, and the forthcoming Art & Making of Highlander from Titan Books (due September 2026), discussing the making of the film and its lasting legacy.
The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation—represented by Ray’s daughter Vanessa Harryhausen and Collections Manager Connor Heaney—will also be in attendance to introduce Clash of the Titans. They will share behind-the-scenes stories and rare imagery from the film, as well as explore Ray Harryhausen’s enduring influence on stop-motion animation and classical mythology in cinema.
Alongside King Kong (1933), The Thief of Bagdad stands as one of the key influences on Harryhausen’s work and a milestone in fantasy filmmaking. Vanessa and Connor will also discuss how this Arabian Nights tale helped shape his fantastical screen worlds.
Both panels will include a Q&A, with the chance to win an exclusive Star Ace Toys Harryhausen replica model for the best question asked. Official merchandise will be available, with all proceeds supporting the restoration of Ray Harryhausen’s original creatures.
Connor Heaney comments: “With an incredible lineup of fantasy films, the festival once again delivers a deep dive into genre cinema. The Thief of Bagdad and Clash of the Titans bookend over forty years of screen magic, and there is no better place to experience Ray Harryhausen’s legendary creations than Bristol Megascreen.”
In addition, there will be a panel discussion ahead of a rare screening of the wuxia fantasy The Bride With White Hair (1993), exploring women’s roles in myths and legends and why, despite the genre’s popularity, they are often sidelined in fantasy cinema.
The panel will be chaired by Archaeo-Heritage Film Festival director Ellie Hendricks, joined by Mara Gold, author of Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men, and film journalist Helen O’Hara—Empire Magazine’s “Geek Queen” and author of Women Vs Hollywood: The Fall and Rise of Women in Film.
For Full Details and Tickets Click HERE
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Article by:
Born and raised in rural Somerset but now making the most of all Bristol has to offer. Alex has a keen interest in Bristol’s music scene, spending a lot of time attending or working gigs, festivals and electronic dance music events. Other passions include Sport, DJing and running club nights.
