THE NAMELESS BALLAD to Receive World Premiere at Tubi FrightFest 2026

By Jon Donnis

Federico Zampaglione returns to the world of horror with THE NAMELESS BALLAD, a new supernatural genre feature that will make its world premiere at Tubi FrightFest 2026 in London.

The film will screen on Saturday 29 August on the festival's main screen, introducing audiences to Zampaglione's latest dark tale following his previous genre films Shadow and The Well.

THE NAMELESS BALLAD follows Sam Gallo, a 27 year old British musician played by Jamie Ward (His Dark Materials, Juliet & Romeo), whose life has changed dramatically following the runaway success of his debut album. Struggling with a severe creative block and an increasing addiction to prescription drugs, Sam faces growing pressure from his management to deliver another hit.

Seeking to reconnect with something he has lost, Sam returns to the Italian countryside where he spent his childhood summers. However, the secluded house where he chooses to isolate himself soon becomes the setting for a far more disturbing experience, as mysterious presences begin to emerge around him.

Appearing to feed on Sam's fears, anguish and desperate need to create, these dark forces pull him into an increasingly unsettling nightmare where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural begin to disappear.

Also caught up in the terrifying events is Tania, Sam's partner, played by Alana Boden (Mr. Selfridge, I Am Elizabeth Smart). Together, the pair find themselves drawn into a story that explores the fragile line between imagination and nightmare.

Written by Federico Zampaglione and Barbara Baraldi (Dylan Dog), THE NAMELESS BALLAD brings together psychological horror and supernatural elements, while also drawing from Zampaglione's own experiences as a musician and singer. The director has described the film as his most personal project to date.

The cast also includes Giglia Marra (Morrison), Fabrizio Ferracane (Black Souls), Seumas Sargent (The Signal), Reed Stokes (The Tour Guide), Mia Desando, Vincenzo De Michele and Sergio Ceglie. A special additional cast member is set to be revealed soon.

THE NAMELESS BALLAD is a SOMIC FILM production, directed by Federico Zampaglione and written by Zampaglione and Barbara Baraldi. Yuri Santurri serves as director of photography, with worldwide distribution handled by Italian production and distribution company Minerva Pictures.

Speaking about the upcoming premiere, Zampaglione said: "I'm very happy for my latest film to have its World premiere at FrightFest, a festival I love, and I will be there, with the cast and crew, to meet the fans. Although this film is deeply rooted in the supernatural, this is probably my most personal film to date, because it is inspired by my work as a musician and singer."

Tubi FrightFest 2026 takes place from Thursday 27 August to Monday 31 August at the Odeon LUXE Leicester Square and ODEON Luxe West End in London. The five day celebration of horror and fantasy cinema will once again bring genre fans together, with THE NAMELESS BALLAD set to be one of the festival's notable premieres.

NEWS: The Nameless Ballad Begins Its Haunting Journey

Federico Zampaglione on location with THE NAMELESS BALLAD

Filming has kicked off in the quiet reaches of Fara, Sabina for The Nameless Ballad, the latest supernatural horror project from Federico Zampaglione. His previous film, The Well, travelled impressively across the globe, so there is a sense of momentum as he returns to the director’s chair to explore a story rooted in a world he knows inside out. Music sits at the heart of this new tale, although the version we see here is soaked in dread and heavy with unease.

Jamie Ward in THE NAMELESS BALLAD

Jamie Ward leads the film as Sam Gallo. He plays a young musician riding the high end of success, yet barely hanging on beneath it. His creative block, personal troubles and various addictions weigh on him, so he slips away to a remote villa in the hope of finding fresh inspiration. The retreat does not bring peace. Instead, the house begins to push against his frailties. Dark shapes seem to circle around him, feeding on his worry and fear. The more he tries to settle, the deeper he sinks into disturbing visions that blur the divide between reality and the stories he carries in his head. His partner Tania, played by Alana Boden, becomes entangled in the same nightmare, pulled along by the destructive tide that grips Sam.

Alana Boden in THE NAMELESS BALLAD

Zampaglione shaped the script with Barbara Baraldi, and together they guide the film along that fine thread that separates imagination from nightmare. The supporting cast is a sizeable one. Giglia Marra, Fabrizio Ferracane, Seumas Sargent, Reed Stokes, Mia Desando, Vincenzo De Michele and Sergio Ceglie all step into the unfolding chaos. Another cast member will be revealed soon, which is being teased as a pleasant surprise for fans of the genre.

Giglia Marra in THE NAMELESS BALLAD

The director has described this as his most personal work to date. The supernatural is firmly in place, although the emotional voltage comes from his lived experience as a musician. He hints at a world where every note can stir a ghost, and certain melodies seem to demand a price before they fade. It gives the film a slightly feverish musical pulse that runs beneath the horror.

The Nameless Ballad is produced by SOMIC FILM. Federico Zampaglione directs, with cinematography by Yuri Santurri. The film is heading towards a 2026 launch at major festivals, which leaves plenty of time for the anticipation to build.