A HORROR film made on a shoestring budget using local talent and familiar County Durham locations has received the full red-carpet treatment with its own big-screen premiere.
The Stitcher, the latest short from County Durham filmmaker Dean Midas, was shown to an invited audience at the Reel Cinema in Bishop Auckland ahead of its general release Last night (Friday, October 2).
The premiere, on Thursday, marked another milestone in a seven-year filmmaking journey which has seen Mr Midas write, film and direct a string of horror shorts, largely using a mobile phone and drawing on talent and locations from across the region.
County Durham filmmaker Dean Midas on the red carpet at the premiere of The Stitcher, his latest locally made horror production. (Image: WAYNE PEACOCK)
His latest production takes him into Durham City for the first time, introducing a new serial killer character, Silas Vane.
The story centres on a fictional legend surrounding a backstreet medical operator who offers help at a price, with sinister consequences for those who fail to pay.
Mr Midas introduced the premiere to an audience including cast, crew, family, friends and supporters, reflecting on the journey which had brought him to the big screen.
He thanked The Shakespeare pub in Durham for opening its doors to the production, paving the way for filming at locations including the City Theatre, Radisson Blu hotel and Odin's Hoard.
He also highlighted the thrill of being given permission to shoot a scene at Durham Regatta and praised the city itself as a backdrop for the film.
After the screening, Thushara Chandrasiri, of Darkus magazine, hosted a question-and-answer session with members of the cast, who were seeing the finished film for the first time.
Cast members discuss the making of The Stitcher during a Q&A. From left, Steven Bell, Sam Phillipson, Eleanor Carter, Sasha Snowdon, Thomas Richardson and Thushara Chandrasiri from Darkus magazine (Image: WAYNE PEACOCK)
One secret had been particularly closely guarded during production - which of them would ultimately be revealed as The Stitcher.
The identity was kept from the cast, apart from the actor playing the killer, until the screening reached its conclusion.
Thomas Richardson praised the "positive energy" surrounding the production, while Eleanor Carter said: "I really enjoyed watching it back, I think it worked well."
Dean Midas at the Reel Cinema as his new horror film The Stitcher receives its big-screen premiere (Image: WAYNE PEACOCK)
Following the premiere, Mr Midas said: "I am completely blown away and I'm still not over it.
"The comments on the night, and those I've received since from people who attended, have been nothing short of mind-blowing.
"A lot have said it's my best film yet and many have picked up on the beautiful way that, even in a horror film, we showed Durham City in a light that might make people from outside the area want to come and visit - as long as they avoid Silas Vane.
"I'm totally blown away by all the support and I can't wait for everyone to watch it."
He also thanked staff at the Reel Cinema for looking after the team and making the premiere a "stress-free experience", recommending the venue to other filmmakers looking to stage their own screenings.
Mr Midas, from Willington, has spent seven years making low-budget horror films, with previous titles including Legend Of The Chained Oak, The Devil's Stone and The Review.
Read more
My day on a County Durham film set was a front‑row seat to creativity on a budget
Horror director turns Durham Regatta into eerie backdrop
County Durham filmmaker unleashes horror character into living rooms as game launches
Several of his films feature recurring character Eve Valentine, who now has her own set of merchandise, a room named after her at the Manor House hotel in West Auckland and even a living room game.
His films have regularly drawn on North East locations and local performers.
The Stitcher can be watched via Dean Midas Films on Facebook and YouTube.