'Matriarch' added to Screamfest lineup

September 15, 2022 (Los Angeles, CA) - Kate Dickie, known for her memorable mothering performances in 'Game of Thrones' and 'The Witch,' stars as the titular "Matriarch" in a rural British body horror family drama, the second in a slate of nine feature-length films developed and expanded from 20th Digital Studio's short film collection "Bite Size Halloween." The Hulu Original film will hold its world premiere screening at the 2022 Screamfest Horror Film Festival in Hollywood, Calif., on October 11 - opening night - before premiering on the streamer for Huluween on October 21. Check out the full Screamfest lineup here.

UK filmmaker Ben Steiner ("Monsterland 2") wrote and directed the film, led by Jemima Rooper ("The Girlfriend Experience," "Flowers in the Attic: The Origin"). At a breaking point after a near-fatal overdose, a woman (Rooper) returns to her childhood home to confront her mother (Dickie) and her personal demons, but instead discovers a real one. "Matriarch" was shot in Bristol, England and features supporting cast members Sarah Paul ("EastEnders"), Franc Ashman ("I May Destroy You"), and Keith David Bartlett.

Steiner's short film "Urn" was a part of the 2018 "Huluween Film Fest," in which all shorts were produced by 20th (then Fox) Digital Studio. A spiritual successor to "Urn," "Matriarch" also deals with a toxic mother-daughter relationship and both films incorporate Steiner's visual style.

"Matriarch" was developed by 20th Digital Studio with David Worthen Brooks, Arbi Pedrossian, and Jenna Cavelle serving as executive producers. Production services were carried out by Sharp House producers Ian Sharp and Eoin O-Faolain, and co-producer Alexa Waugh.

"Matriarch" is part of the previously announced nine-film slate of Hulu Original horror features from 20th Digital based primarily on their "Bite Size Halloween" series of short films from emerging filmmakers including the upcoming "Clock" from Alexis Jacknow, and "Appendage" from Anna Zlokovic, among others. "Grimcutty" from writer/director John William Ross will premiere on October 10 and season three of "Bite Size Halloween" is available on Hulu on October 1 with 20 new horror and sci-fi shorts from emerging filmmakers.

About 20th Digital Studio

20th Digital Studio focuses on funding and producing award-winning short-form genre content together with up-and-coming filmmakers from the digital and film festival worlds. 20th Digital develops select shorts into longer form content, packaging new voices with established producers and offering opportunities for growth and representation; always with a goal to create innovative character narrative, voice-driven filmmaking with a social message, cultural impact and box-office or streaming success. Set up in 2008 as a nimble entrepreneurial group within Fox Filmed Entertainment, 20th Digital is now a part of Disney General Entertainment Content. For more information visit: https://www.20thdigitalstudio.com/ or follow: @20thDigital on Instagram & Twitter, or facebook.com/20thdigitalstudio.

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