Dread Central reports that Essential Entertainment is pairing with Matador Pictures for a film called Dread. Essential announced that it will be handling worldwide rights. Production on the film is expected to start this July with casting announcements on the way soon.

Dread is adapted from a short story by Clive Barker and will be directed by Anthony Dibiasi, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is being described as a psychological thriller about three college students immersed in the study of fear. One of the students begins seeking salvation from his obsession by exploiting the terrors of the other participants.

Clive Barker, Jorge Saralegui, and Joe Daley will produce for Barker’s Midnight Picture Show with Lauri Appelian and Nigel Thomas from Matador and Plum Films’ Micky Macpherson.