Move over, Oscars—the UK indie horror scene just had its own night of glitz, glamour, and probably a little bit of fake blood. The British Horror Studio has officially announced the winners of its first-ever awards season, and it’s a massive deal for everyone who likes their cinema with a side of dread.
Fans and industry professionals worldwide cast more than 5,000 votes. This wasn’t just a small trophy ceremony; it was a loud-and-proud signal that British indie horror is currently having a serious glow-up.
The Public Has Spoken
When you let the fans vote, things get interesting. Here’s how the public categories shook out:
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Best Director: We had a rare dead heat! Sean Cronin (Bogieville) and Warren Dudley (Fright) are sharing the trophy. Honestly, two heads are better than one—especially in a horror movie.
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Best Actor: Stephen Corrall (Shiver Me Timbers) took home the gold after a heated race that saw over 1,000 people casting ballots.
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Best Actress: This was the heavyweight bout of the night. It was a total nail-biter between Ayvianna Snow (the “Queen of British Horror”) and Megan Tremethick. In the end, Megan (often called the “Vivien Leigh of indie horror”) pulled off a dramatic second-round surge to take the win for The Reign of Queen Ginnarra.
The “Fancy Pants” Jury Awards
Because sometimes you need a panel of experts to weigh in, a jury led by Prof Peter F Mahoney CBE handed out their own accolades for “creative risk-taking”:
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Best Director: Simon Rumley for the trippy Crushed.
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Best Actor: Another tie! Chris Black (The enslaved person and the Sorcerer) and Jonathan Hansler (Bogieville) are splitting the honors.
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Best Actress: Nicolette McKeown snatched the win for her performance in Mercy Falls.
Best Actress – Megan Tremethick – British Horror Studio
Special Shoutouts: The Indie Artists of the Year
The Studio also introduced an “MVP” award for people making the scene better for everyone else. This year’s inaugural honors went to:
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Ayvianna Snow: For her tireless work advocating for indie artists.
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Dorian Todd: A rising double-threat who is killing it as both an actor and filmmaker.
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Andrew Gourlay: Recognized for his incredible performances following a recovery from a serious illness. Talk about a comeback story.
Dorian Tood: Best Indie Artist of the Year – British Horror Studio 2025
The Big Picture: Horror is Growing Up
The British Horror Studio is evolving faster than a virus in a zombie flick. They’ve gone from a simple production label to a full-blown institution, absorbing legendary names like Amicus Productions and Hex Studios.
Plus, with over 1,200 new members signing up, the “grassroots” movement is turning into a forest. Interestingly, a lot of this talent is clustering in Scotland, which is quickly becoming the new spooky capital of the UK.
