Dead on Distribution to premiere at Matlock Bath Grand Pavilion
On 15th November 2025, Dead on Distribution will premiere in a night of film, music and culture. After the premiere, there will be an exhibition, and an after party, including live DJ sets and a high energy performance from punk band Wallace & Vomit
Starring: Brian Clarke, Jacob Poole, Kathryn Gergiohu, Callum Gascoyne, and Gillian Shimwell
‘Dead on Distribution’
Set in the Summer months of 1980, just before the video store boom, Dead on Distribution follows the story of film producer William Flagg as he struggles to get his latest sleazy picture on the big screen after terrible critic reviews. Becoming desperate for any kind of distribution deal, he encourages his unhinged lead actor Danny Felt to come up with an unorthodox idea to promote the film. Little does he know that what Danny Felt is about to do may take self-promotion a bit too far.
Dead on Distribution is a bold, fast-paced short. It boasts stylish, experimental editing in Alasdair Gretton’s undeniable trademark style. The film will no doubt shock audiences, just like a good video nasty should.
After party:
After the premiere, there will be an upbeat after party, including punk band Wallace & Vomit, and DJs: Chef Nicky, Blue Fields, and Utah Blah Blah.
There will also be an exhibition on throughout the day about the video nasties. This unique, one-of-a-kind expose, will guide you through the history of the video nasties, and how it influenced the making of Dead on Distribution.
Director, Alasdair Gretton:
Filmed mostly around the Matlock area, including the Matlock Bath Pavilion itself, the 80s Video Store in Alfreton, and at Derby Conference Centre, Alasdair Gretton is bringing cinema back to his hometown.
“I am really excited to work on this new project. What makes it special is that we made it as a group of friends, some of which have known each other since primary school whilst some we have just become acquainted with. We are indebted to the Pavilion who have helped accommodate this event as well as allowing us to film on their premises. Film making is something my crew and I are very passionate about, especially from a community perspective. It means a lot that we have been able to continue making films in our local area with local people while still being able to have these films shown at festivals overseas.
The video boom and UK video nasties scandal is a topic that is of particularly interest to me, both as a legal professional and as a fan of horror cinema. The video boom of the 1980s is a very strange period in British society where court trials were brought against films that range from award winning cinema screened at Cannes, to trashy low budget exploitation movies nobody should really remember. In preparation for the making of this film, I watched all 72 of the government listed video nasties which were prosecuted, most of which probably do not deserve any of the attention or the extent of legal resources the government gave to prosecuting the film makers.”
An exhibition on the video nasties will be available for viewing throughout the day.
Matlock Bath Pavilion Events Coordinator, Deb Bowater:
The Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath is reclaiming its picture house history and wishes to step once more into the spotlight as a hub for film production, screenings, and industry networking in Derbyshire.
Built in 1910, the Pavilion has long been a cultural landmark for live music, theatre, and community events. Now the venue wishes to develop its potential as a film-friendly location and exhibition space, with a growing programme of screenings, filmmaker collaborations, and industry events.
“The Grand Pavilion is one of Derbyshire’s hidden gems,” says Deborah Bowater. “It’s a stunning Edwardian theatre with a rich history, and it’s an inspiring backdrop for film and TV productions. At the same time, we want to bring independent cinema, festival screenings, and filmmaker Q&As to local audiences — turning the Pavilion into a home for local film culture.”
The Pavilion is now a registered film location and has already attracted interest from ITV, Channel 4, independent filmmakers, and music video producers. Its unique architecture and atmospheric spaces make it ideal for period dramas, live performances, and distinctive set builds.
Alongside production opportunities, the Pavilion has begun hosting film premieres. Plans are underway to establish a bi-monthly film club and an annual celebration of local films.
“We see the Pavilion as more than just a venue,” adds Deborah. “It’s a house of dreams — a place where filmmakers, audiences, and communities can come together to share stories.