Internationally respected Canadian independent filmmakers Brett and Jason Butler will travel to London this August for the World Premiere of their latest feature, STARSUCKERS, at FrightFest 2026, one of the world’s premier showcases for horror, thriller, fantasy, and genre cinema.
The filmmakers will be in attendance for the festival, which runs August 27–31 at ODEON Cinemas Leicester Square and West End before an additional FrightFest @ the Arzner screening on Saturday, September 5.
Over the past decade, The Butler Brothers have quietly become one of Canada’s most prolific independent filmmaking teams. Working entirely outside the traditional studio system through their production company, Substance Production, and distribution label, Tiny Cabin Pictures, they have directed, written, and produced ten feature films while producing or executive producing five more.
Their growing catalogue reflects an uncommon range, spanning psychological thrillers, horror, dark comedy, documentaries, dramas, and socially driven genre films. Their work has screened internationally and reached audiences through Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Tubi, Hollywood Suite, Plex, Roku Channel, Revry, Fawesome, Xumo, and numerous international distributors and broadcasters.
Their newest film, STARSUCKERS, is a wickedly entertaining dark satire examining celebrity culture, ambition, and the dangerous pursuit of fame.
The story follows Chuck and Eileen, an ordinary couple who win an exclusive weekend getaway with glamorous celebrity icons Bjorg Everglow and Sasha Nightshade. Their dream escape quickly spirals into murder, manipulation, and psychological games as the celebrity couple reveals increasingly disturbing intentions. What unfolds is an unpredictable thriller that skewers our obsession with status, influence, and the intoxicating promise of living someone else’s life.
The film stars Manon Ens-Lapointe (The Last Anniversary), Steven Hobé (How Disney Built America), and rising performers James Alex, Jersey Anderson, and Jacob Stickles.
Known for acclaimed independent features including Purgatory Jack, The Last Anniversary, and Unfriending, The Butler Brothers have earned a reputation for ambitious, character-driven filmmaking that consistently challenges audience expectations while remaining fiercely independent.
“FrightFest has built an incredible reputation for championing original genre filmmaking,” said Brett and Jason Butler. “We’re thrilled to bring STARSUCKERS to London and experience it with one of the world’s most passionate festival audiences.”
Founded in 2000, FrightFest has grown into one of the international genre community’s defining annual events, attracting filmmakers, critics, distributors, and fans from around the world. The festival has become synonymous with discovering bold new voices while celebrating innovative filmmaking across horror, thriller, fantasy, and dark comedy.
Additional festival appearances and release plans for STARSUCKERS will be announced following its FrightFest debut.
