Celebrating its World Premiere at FrightFest 2025
23rd August / 12:55 / ODEON LUXE
A weekend getaway descends into a spectral nightmare
Starring Aleigha Burt, Tabitha Getsy, Trisha Arozqueta, Jasmine Nguyen
Torchlight Studios and Odin’s Eye Entertainment are delighted to announce horror-thriller NOSEEUMS will have its World Premiere at FrightFest London – The Dark Heart of Cinema, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at West End’s famous ODEON Luxe Theatre in Leicester Square followed by a Q&A with Director and co-writer.
“I grew up watching horror films with my family and it was one of the things we could all enjoy together. To be able to premiere NOSEEUMS with an audience of passionate genre film lovers is a dream come true” says Raven Carter, director and co-writer.
NOSEEUMS, filmed in Florida (USA), is a fresh take on the horror genre exploring the loss of black land rights in the contemporary south.
When college student Ember is invited to join her white friends for a fun weekend at the country home of school Queen Bee Abigail, she finds the place unsettling and oddly familiar. Drawn to an unkempt grave in the backwoods, Ember begins to be plagued by buzzing, biting, vicious almost invisible, black bugs known throughout Florida as Noseeums. Along with this constant irritation, she starts having premonitions of grisly death and bewildering, chilling flashbacks. Soon, the shocking lore of the land becomes clear as restless spirits seek a festering retribution for past crimes, and Ember embraces long overdue vengeful acts.
The biting horror-drama, NOSEEUMS, has already stung horror experts with comparisons to GET OUT and CANDYMAN, recognizing the impressive debut feature Hailing from Austin, Texas, the twenty-six year old MFA graduate of Florida State University (FSU) College of Motion Picture Arts, Raven will be in attendance at FrightFest, alongside Writer, Jason-Michael Anthony, in presenting the feature and participating in a Q&A following the screening.
“This is the first feature film from Torchlight Studios, produced in collaboration with FSU:” “As a horror film festival enthusiast, I am proud to see our debut feature, NOSEEUMS, in the Official Selection at FrightFest London, a prominent horror-genre driven festival, for its World Premiere.” Reb Braddock, Executive Director – Torchlight Studios.
Representing Worldwide Sales Rights, Michael Favelle of Odin’s Eye Entertainment had the following to say: “NOSEEUMS delivers more than scares, it carries a cultural heartbeat that’s as compelling as its horror,” says Michael Favelle, CEO of International Sales company Odin’s Eye Entertainment. “Raven Carter’s storytelling blends atmosphere, urgency, and authenticity in a way that will resonate not just across America, but with audiences worldwide.”
Noseeums will have its World Premiere at FrightFest on 23rd August
Tickets available HERE
#FF25
www.frightfest.co.uk
Director’s Statement – Raven DeShay Carter
When Jason-Michael approached me with this fresh story concept, the story immediately compelled me. Originally titled Biting Midges, I loved the themes of property, ancestral ties, and female rage. Little did I know we’d be pitching the concept to Torchlight Studios a few weeks later. And little did I know, my mind would go into overdrive in the pitching room as I frantically stated why our story concept was the best one for Torchlight to invest in.
It worked. We won the pitch competition, and it was time to shoot our first feature film. One of my goals was to bring light to the issue of black people being robbed of their land in the South following the Civil War. I wanted to turn a real and very present social issue into a clever horror film that people could latch onto. Our protagonist, Ember, is only deeply known by her mother. She clings to people fast out of desperation and cannot be honest with herself regarding her motives and insecurities. She’s smart yet walks straight into a trap out of an attempt to dismiss her true feelings of rage and confusion.
We had eight weeks to develop compelling characters and a strong plot within the horror genre. This also looked like us watching films. Not just horror films but good films in general, such as Past Lives, Enemy, Talk to Me, and No Country for Old Men, to name a few. I love telling bold and playful stories that dissect real issues with complex characters involved.
I feel a younger version of myself was Ember, so it came naturally to direct someone I used to know. We consistently used the term “homecoming” when referring to Ember’s arc because she is an extremely disconnected girl who was always meant to find her way back to her roots. Many people can relate to being disconnected from family and then compensating with surface-level relationships to try and fill holes.
Collaborating with terrific storytellers is one of my favorite things about filmmaking. Sole input came from the writers, myself, and the studio. However, I also valued the opinions of my editor, Ash, and my DP, Chris.
I made it a point to “pitch my tent,” as I was present even on the challenging days. I dedicated myself entirely and learned more about working with actors and their needs to respect and acknowledge the places they’re willing to go to accomplish the story I’m trying to tell around the halfway point of principal photography, I turned twenty-five, which was a great reminder of the incredible work I had the honor of doing. I’m so grateful to people wiser than me whose words encouraged me daily.
Noseeums is the product of people who are very good at what they do, who love movies, who make me laugh, and friends who adore each other dearly. It’s also the product of a dream. I thank God for my team of dreamers, and I’m glad I was never left to dream alone.
