SYKEHOUSE FILM AND WRITERS' FESTIVAL
We combine a Writing Conference, full of writers and panels and talks, as well as signed copies and special guests with a Film Festival running alongside with film screenings, interviews and talks. All followed by a prestigious Awards Gala Dinner (three course, sit down) in the evening.
What we're about ...
The festival combines a Fantasy/Horror and Crime Writer's Conference with the Film Festival and will run simultaneously.
The conference starts on Saturday morning kicking off with panels, where writers and filmmakers talk about their art, giving insight into the worlds of film and the life of authors.
Join us on Saturday evening for a filmmaker and author mixer, where you can network over a drink or three! And have your elevator pitches at the ready ... We feel it's important that film producers, directors, writers and actors get to mingle with novelists of all persuasions ... that's how the magic happens!
On Sunday there will be author panels with headlining guest interviews and a filmmakers' panel. In another room you can chill and watch the season of selected submissions to our Sykehouse International Film Festival or just dip in and out of both. There are also some writing workshops and filmmaker's round tables. It's all included!
The Awards Gala Dinner will take place on the Sunday evening, and consist of a three course meal, with entertainment, and followed by the Awards Ceremony.
As well as the Sykehouse International Film Awards, we will also be presenting The Noose Awards! These awards are open to Horror/Fantasy/Science Fiction and Crime/Thriller writers.
Films and Screenplays will have been judged by a panel of committed film-o-philes, and each round will award a BEST and RUNNER-UP in several categories.
We will also be making some honorary award presentations on the awards night!
For the Noose Awards we have three Chairs who are all crime and horror experts and fans, and they will be assembling teams to read and consider and award the books and stories submitted.
The Noose: Best Thriller Novel
The Slipknot: Best Horror/Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
The Silken Rope: Best Short Story
In Support of ...
PINK RIBBON FOUNDATION
The Pink Ribbon Foundation is a grant making trust with a mission to fund projects and provide financial support to UK charities which relieve the needs of people who are suffering from or who have been affected by breast cancer, or who work to advance the understanding of breast cancer and its early detection and treatment.
There are a large number of such charities in the UK, each as deserving as the next. Many of the charities supported are the smaller ones, which operate on a shoestring. The Pink Ribbon Foundation has very little infrastructure. It relies on the hard work given by Trustees, interested parties and its Patrons. This is done in order to maximise the amount, which goes to the charities that benefit from the funds raised.
AND
IDAS
IDAS is the largest specialist charity in the North supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
TO BOOK
To submit books and stories for the NOOSE AWARD, please see the tab on this site which explains all.
To book for the Writers' Conference and Film Festival, then please visit the booking pages here:
There is one option for ALL ACTIVITIES - VIP FULL WEEKEND which includes the panels, screenings, any workshops and Sunday night Gala Dinner and Awards
There is one for WEEKEND DAY PASS
Who's involved ...
FESTIVAL PERSONEL
ORGANISERS: Samantha Lee Howe (Festival Director), David J Howe (Organiser/Judge) Adele Maddison (Organiser/Judge)
FESTIVAL ASSISTANTS: Tracey Herod, Mick Herod, Olivia Maddison, Tiffany Cooke, Beverley Rendelle.
JUDGES
The Judges for the 2026 SYKEHOUSE INTERNATIONAL FILMFEST are:
Samantha Lee Howe - USA Today bestselling author and multi-award winning screenwriter Samantha Lee Howe
David J Howe - author and historian, who has been reviewing and writing about film since the eighties. Howeswho
Adele Maddison - Self-confessed Film-o-phile, academic and entrepreneur.
Karen Woodham - proprietor of the multi-award winning blog Blazing Minds.
Mark Fearn - Reviewer/Blogger Book Mark!
Mick Herod - Movie Buff!
Olivia Maddison - Film-o-phile, Law graduate and festival assistant.
