Creator of 1980 cult picture Cannibal Holocaust, Ruggero Deodato, will make a special guest appearance at the University of Bedfordshire's second Spaghetti Cinema film festival, taking place next month, and ready to talk about his experiences in the industry with scholars and fans alike.

The festival, celebrating Italian horror cinema with lectures, panel discussions and a showcase of some of the genre's finest offerings, takes place at the University's Luton campus on May 9 and 10.

The infamous 'video nasty' director will be joined other cult personalities including Luigi Cozzi (director of Contamination), Catriona MacColl (star of the City of the Living Dead) and Me Me Lai ( star of Last Cannibal World), at the two-day event in Bedfordshire's Postgraduate centre. 

"We are honoured to have such special guests at our event," said organiser Dr Austin Fisher. "Having such icons of the genre come to attend is such a privilege".

The festival follows the success of last year's Spaghetti Western focused commemoration, which saw Western cult hero Dan Van Husen entertain attendees, alongside screenings of Spaghetti Western classics, and Dr Fisher has high hopes for the future of the event.

"We are looking forward to growing this festival year-on-year, and hope to increase the visibility and awareness of popular Italian cinema and the effect it's had on contemporary culture", added Dr Fisher .?

The festival is free for University of Bedfordshire staff and students. It's also open to the public, with conference passes available at £20 each.

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