Matlock horror short Dead on Distribution gets premiere in November
Matlock Bath Pavilion in Derbyshire is the location of a screening premiere for a new horror film shot in the area by director Alasdair Gretton.
On 15th November, the production team promise a night of film, music and culture for their new production filmed around Matlock itself, the 80s Video Store in Alfreton and at Derby Conference Centre.
Starring Brain Clarke, Jacob Poole, Kathryn Gergiohu, Callum Gascoyne and Gillian Shimwell the film is set in Summer 1980 before the video store boom and follows a film producer as he struggles to get his sleazy pictures on the big screen.
Desperate for a distribution deal and with terrible critic reviews, he encourages an unhinged lead actor to come up with an unorthodox idea to promote the film. But little does he know about the actor’s idea which may take self-promotion a bit too far.
The filmmakers are promising a “bold, fast-paced short with stylish, experimental editing”, with plans to “shock audiences, just like a good video nasty should”.
Alasdair Gretton’s work has been previously screened at festivals in Britain and America and he was a young ambassador for the Japanese Foundation Touring Film Programme in 2024.
Winner of both best editing and best comedy at the Newcastle Student film festival 2020 and 2021, the director’s style cross genres with strong B-movie influences taking inspiration from directors such as Shinya Tsukamoto and Sam Raimi.
“I am really excited to work on this new project. What makes it special is that we made it as a group of friends, some of which have known each other since primary school,” says Gretton
He goes on to add, “Filmmaking is something my crew and I are very passionate about, especially from a community perspective. It means a lot that we have been able to continue making films in our local area with local people while still being able to have these films shown at festivals overseas.”
On the day of the premiere, there will be an exhibition about the video nasties at the venue, spotlighting the seventy-two films which were banned in the UK in the 1970s and 1980s. The team will also showcase props and information about the new film, Dead on Distribution.
In addition, the filmmaker’s previous film Masked Conspiracy will get a screening and after the main event there’s a Q & A followed by an after party of live music.
The host venue is increasingly becoming a cultural landmark in the Midlands. Built in 1910, The Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath is reclaiming its picture house history and with a growing programme of screenings, filmmaker collaborations and industry events, it’s one of the region’s hidden gems. And plans are underway to establish a bi-monthly film club and an annual celebration of local films.
To support the project and grab tickets, check out the full details and link below:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/thegrandpavilion/t-vvlgnrn
Dead on Distribution screens 15th November 2025 (12PM till late) at Matlock Bath Pavilion, S Parade, Matlock Bath, DE4 3NR
