Cineverse is looking to bring the scares this Halloween season with its latest acquisition, Haunted Ulster Live. Having acquired the North American rights to the Halloween-themed mockumentary, Cineverse has plans to release Haunted Ulster Live across all platforms, including its Bloody Disgusting-powered SCREAMBOX streaming service.
Drawing comparisons to classic found footage horror films like Ghostwatch and recent hits such as AMC’s Late Night with the Devil, Haunted Ulster Live transports viewers back to 1998. The film centers around a live broadcast from a haunted house that takes a terrifying turn, resulting in footage so disturbing that it has remained unseen for 25 years.
Set on Halloween night, the story follows TV veteran Gerry Burns and popular children’s presenter Michelle Kelly as they investigate poltergeist activity in a haunted house in Belfast.
The feature debut of writer-director Dominic O’Neill, the UK found footage film stars Mark Claney, Aimee Richardson, and Siobhan Kelly. The film is also produced by O’Neill, along with Will McConnell, Rika McGowan, Paul Sinacore, and Tyler Dane Sutton.
O’Neill shared his inspiration for the film: “We’re found footage fanatics, and devotees of the genre will hopefully enjoy the faux doc chills of Haunted Ulster Live. We grew up on old Irish and British horror TV, the kind of TV that makes you want to hide behind the couch when you’re a kid! Our film is firmly rooted in ’90s Belfast, drawing from the rich well of Irish folk stories and the conflict of that time.”
The film has already garnered positive reviews, with Dead Northern raving, “Ghostwatch finally meets its match with Haunted Ulster Live!”
Producer Will McConnell expressed excitement about the acquisition, saying, “Since our world premiere at Frightfest London, the response to the film has been phenomenal. We’re delighted to work with Cineverse, Screambox, and Bloody Disgusting to bring Haunted Ulster Live to North American audiences. This is our first feature, and it wasn’t easy, so it’s an incredibly proud moment for us and hopefully the start of more to come!”
The deal was negotiated by Brandon Hill, Director of Acquisitions, on behalf of Cineverse, and Dominic O’Neill and Will McConnell of Beyond Visible Films.
With its blend of ’90s nostalgia, Irish folklore, and found footage thrills, Haunted Ulster Live promises to be a must-watch for horror fans this Halloween season.
Watch for its release on SCREAMBOX and other platforms and prepare to be thoroughly spooked by this new chilling mockumentary that may become a new Halloween staple.
