The Little Broomstick Rider - FIRESIDE FOLKTALES FRINGE
Barnes Methodist Church Hall - Downstairs, London, SW13 0NH
Saturday 23rd May 2026 - Sunday 24th May 2026
When a nine-year-old boy in 1620s Bavaria goes on trial for witchcraft, a flabbergasted court must decide the child’s fate...
A Slamdance festival winner and a London FrightFest favourite, The Little Broomstick Rider - based on Ludwig Bechstein’s The Little Pitchfork Rider - was born out of the creative restrictions that filmmaker Matteo Bernardini faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Confined to his own house during lockdown, and unable to rely on a cast and crew as usual, he decided to let his illustrations do all the acting and his hands do the rest of the work. The final result is a unique and acclaimed “illustrations-coming-to-life experience”, more than a traditional animated series.
Armed exclusively with paper, pens, scissors and glue, Matteo has brought his personal interpretation of 17th century Germany to life. Half fairy-tale, half-perhaps-a-bit-too-historically-accurate (and spiced with a hint of macabre humour), Neverbird’s maverick production takes DIY to the next level!
Recommended Age: 10+
Please note all children under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult with their own ticket.
Part of the Fireside Folktales Fringe 2026.
A Slamdance festival winner and a London FrightFest favourite, The Little Broomstick Rider - based on Ludwig Bechstein’s The Little Pitchfork Rider - was born out of the creative restrictions that filmmaker Matteo Bernardini faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Confined to his own house during lockdown, and unable to rely on a cast and crew as usual, he decided to let his illustrations do all the acting and his hands do the rest of the work. The final result is a unique and acclaimed “illustrations-coming-to-life experience”, more than a traditional animated series.
Armed exclusively with paper, pens, scissors and glue, Matteo has brought his personal interpretation of 17th century Germany to life. Half fairy-tale, half-perhaps-a-bit-too-historically-accurate (and spiced with a hint of macabre humour), Neverbird’s maverick production takes DIY to the next level!
Recommended Age: 10+
Please note all children under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult with their own ticket.
Part of the Fireside Folktales Fringe 2026.
