Folk horror returns to Derby with Oscar contenders and a killer book bundle giveaway.
Darkness in the Fields 2026: Full Lineup, Tickets, and Exclusive Book Bundle Giveaway
The Darkness in the Fields Film Festival returns to Derby’s QUAD cinema on 21st March 2026 for its third year, cementing its status as a premier destination for folk horror fans. This year’s lineup features four international films, including the animated sensation Dog of God (Latvia’s Oscar entry) and the UK premiere of The Virgin of the Quarry Lake, based on the work of Mariana Enriquez. Alongside the screenings, attendees can enjoy book sales and exclusive merch. Plus, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a folk horror book bundle—details on how to enter are inside
This year sees the returns of the DARKNESS IN THE FIELDS FILM FESTIVAL, coming back to Derby’s QUAD venue for a third year of folk horror movies. Running on the 21st March, the festival will be serving up four exciting international films as part of its line-ups, with booksales, merch and more available on the day!
The day kicks off with a striking animated feature, Dog of God, made in Latvia and telling the story of a deeply religious community and how they are affected by the discovery of a werewolf in their midst. This rotoscoped animation was Latvia’s entry into the 2026 Oscars for Best Foreign Film, and is bound to leave an impression on audiences with its wild visuals and intense story.
This is followed by Her Will Be Done, the tale of Naw, a young girl struggling with the drudgery and misogyny she finds working on the family farm. When the beautiful Sandra moves in next door, her world changes forever – and the roots of an ancestral curse begin to grow.
The penultimate movie of the day will be Roqia, an Algerian feature telling the story of a possession across two timelines – one centred on amnesiac war survivor Ahmed, alongside the modern day story of Raqi and his ongoing battle with Alzheimers. Roqia is a fascinating exploration of the power and fragility of memory, all set within a folk horror dual narrative.
The closing slot will be The Virgin of the Quarry Lake, based on the works of acclaimed author Mariana Enriquez. The movie is a coming-of-age feature set in a sultry, sweltering Argentine summer, centred on three female friends whose lives are changed by the arrival of handsome Diego. With tension and unease rising between them, just how far will they go – and what are they willing to do – to fulfil their desires?
Passes and individual film tickets for the day are now available at https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/ditf2026/
And the festival is pleased to team with Ginger Nuts of Horror to give one lucky winner a folk horror book bundle, taking in a range of titles from some of the most exciting contemporary authors in the form! This one is for UK entries only, and to be in with a chance of winning, just answer the question below…
The Virgin of the Quarry Lake is based on the work of which acclaimed Argentinian author?
A) Mariana Enriquez
B) Agustina Bazterrica
C) Samanta Schweblin
Send your answers to alexdavisevents@hotmail.co.uk by 19th March 2026 to be in with your chance of winning!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Entrants will receive an email reply to acknowledge their entry. Only winning entries will receive a further email. Email addresses will not be retained or added to any mailing lists. One winning entrant will receive a folk horror book bundle – UK entry only. Competition closes on 19th March 2026 with winners drawn and contacted the following day
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