If you’re a fan of the dark side and the thought of films filled with horror, sci-fi, werewolves, zombies, the paranormal or the supernatural gets your blood flowing, you can finally watch all of the best films in these genres in one place. Announcing Frightfan.tv, Africa’s first curated transactional video on demand service dedicated to horror, thriller, sci-fi and everything in-between. It’s fear on demand.
Frightfan.tv is a brand-new TVOD platform, operating purely online, independent from any network or studio directive, dedicated to the screening the best horror films for the first time in Africa. The service is now live with eighteen films and will be updated with new content every Tuesday and Friday. Frightfan.tv curates films from the best horror producers both locally and around the world including Magnolia, Magnet Releasing, Black Mandala, Jinga Films, Kaleidoscope Distribution, Signature Entertainment, MPI and Film Seekers.
Films that are currently available include The Last Ones starring popular local actors Christia Visser and Greg Kriek, in which a skeptical American is stranded in the middle of a zombie-infected Africa and must rely on the help of three mysterious strangers to make it out alive. In the horrific #Screamers, when an internet company decides to investigate a series of ‘Screamer’ videos, they are confronted with havoc and hell they could never expect. Watch what happens when a heavy metal band inadvertently opens the gates to hell by playing a forbidden piece of music in the award winning Deathgasm.
The site has several award-winning titles. In The Eyes of my Mother, set in a secluded farmhouse, a mother, formerly a surgeon in Portugal, teaches her daughter to understand anatomy and be unfazed by death. A mysterious visitor horrifyingly shatters the idyll of Francisca’s family life, deeply traumatizing her but also awakening some unique curiosities. In The Witch in the Window, when Simon brings his twelve year-old son, Finn, to rural Vermont to help flip an old farmhouse, they encounter the malicious spirit of Lydia, a previous owner. And now with every repair they make – she’s getting stronger.
The local short film Catch Up in which Anita Naidu, sets up a chat with some friends during a global pandemic, while on lockdown and strange things start happening, is available to view exclusively on Frightfan.tv and is sure to scare the $%^&* out of you.
There are no subscription or membership fees for Frightfan.tv. Feature films cost R 25 each with short films costing R 15 to rent. Films are available to watch for 48 hours from the time of purchase. Fans are encouraged to follow Frightfan.tv on social media for regular updates, teasers and the occasional spoiler. There is an opening week special between Friday 22 May at 20h00 and Saturday 23 May at 23h59, with all movies costing only R9,99 or US$0,66 (rest of Africa).
“For too long, audiences haven’t been able to access good films in this genre in South Africa” said Benjamin Cowley, CEO of Gravel Road Distribution Group, and the one of the minds behind Frightfan.tv. “We’re working to source the best films across the horror, thriller and sci-fi genres. Fans are also encouraged to request or suggest films, and we’ll do our best to secure them” he concluded.
Frightfan.tv is a partnership between Contech Media and Gravel Road Distribution Group whereby Contech brings the tech, and Gravel Road the entertainment.
Visit frightfan.tv/FrightFanTv for your dose of fear today.
Frightfan.tv FAQ’s
On what technology is the platform based?
Built on AWS ecosystem, Java CMS Backend Middleware admin, Wowza Streaming Engine (Java), Broswer-based Javascript. CSS, HTML Front End.
How much data more or less is needed to download a film?
No downloads, as it’s a web-based platform. You are able to access to stream a title for 48 hours. Usage depends the bandwidth environment of the chosen device / client. It’s streams at 240 – 1080p (1080p streams at 4Mbps)
What is the minimum speed line needed to use the service optimally?
240p stream requires 512 kbps
1080p stream requires 4400 kbps
Can you use the service on a smart TV? Any specific requirements?
If your Smart TV has a browser function, you’ll be able to stream using this. The android app and screen casting are in phase 2 of the development of the platform
What is the deal with age restrictions?
All films are rated 18.
How big do you estimate this genre is in SA?
Our research has shown that Horror accounts for 8.34% of total film piracy in South Africa and the horror and sub-genres over index by comparison to global demand, so this is a really good indication to us that the interest is there. What has been lacking to date, is a dedicated genre platform from which to (legally) consume.
How will you protect against piracy?
Encrypted, domain locked, tokenized streams, behind a limited time paywall. No downloads
Where can people send requests for films?
Once you have registered your account on the platform, you’ll be able to submit a request using the “submit request” function which can be found in your profile overview.
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