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Acclaimed Dutch genre filmmaker Richard Raaphorst (“Frankenstein’s Army”) is returning to feature directing with “Children of the Moor,” a folk horror feature infused with a handmade aesthetic and darkly comic twist.
The project will pitch at the upcoming Frontières Platform at the Marché du Film in Cannes, presented by Canada’s Fantasia and the Marché, backed by Raaphorst’s creative collective The Mad Scientists, in collaboration with 52 Films, a U.K.-based company headed by “Children of the Moor” screenwriter Adam Park.
Currently in development and looking for a third international co-producer, “Children of the Moor” is slated to shoot in Spring 2026. Described by Raaphorst as “handmade folk horror meets a home renovation show,” the film follows a family seeking a fresh start in a remote countryside farmhouse. There, their teenage daughter uncovers the land’s grim history – the spirits of murdered children haunt the land – as her father slowly loses his grip on reality.
Raaphorst, best known for the cult favorite “Frankenstein’s Army,” says the visual style of this film marks a departure. “This one will be way more attractive,” he explained. “I want to emphasize the beauty of nature… make it almost romantic while everything goes wrong at the farm. That contrast can be incredibly frightening.” He cites classic Italian horror as a major influence, referencing directors like Dario Argento for their “poetic yet gruesome” aesthetic.
Originally conceived as a spinoff of the Raaphorst-produced award-winning short “Gnomes,” “Children of the Moor” evolved after feedback pushed Raaphorst toward a more emotionally resonant narrative. “It started with something fun, playful,” he said. “But my producer told me there was no market for that. So I leaned into the story’s darker heart—children and grief.”
After setbacks with previous projects, including the death of a close producer and disillusionment with the industry, Raaphorst took a break from directing. “I didn’t want to direct anymore,” he said. “I was just done. So I reinvented myself. I created The Mad Scientists as a kind of multidisciplinary label where I didn’t have to worry about my own career, just about making things I love.”
Now reenergized, Raaphorst found a kindred spirit in British producer and screenwriter Adam Park who penned the screenplay based on a story by Mina Hagen. “We met at a bar in Cannes, talked about synth music and literature, and just clicked,” he recalled. “Adam rewrote the script from day one, brought humor into it, and helped sharpen the emotional core.”
Although still casting, the film will be shot in English, centered around what Raaphorst describes as a “cockney English family” in cultural clash with their rustic surroundings. The team is seeking co-producers, a sales agent and potentially a third European partner to support the financing strategy, with Raaphorst noting potential incentives in Spain, France or Italy due to the film’s adaptable setting.
“It’s still a low-budget film—about a million euros—but we’re efficient,” he said. “Our effects team can build only what’s needed for the camera. We play, we experiment, and when it works, we go full force.”
At Frontières, Raaphorst hopes Children of the Moor will resonate with buyers and collaborators. “It’s scary, it’s beautiful, it’s funny. And it’s made with love. That’s the Mad Scientists way.”
