Introduction to Fantastic Fest
The 20th anniversary edition of Fantastic Fest is just around the corner, and it’s going to be a blast. This year’s event will feature a total of 45 world premieres, including Paramount’s survival horror film "Primate" by Johannes Roberts and Shudder’s horror film "Old Aztec Curse" by Corin Hardy.
World Premieres
Some of the world premieres that will be showcased at the event include Universal/Blumhouse’s "Black Phone 2" by Scott Derrickson, Jalmari Helander’s "Sister: Street to Revenge" from Sony’s Stage 6, and Bryan Bertino’s "Malignant" starring Dakota Fanning. Other notable world premieres include "Dinner to Die For", a South African culinary horror true crime hybrid, "Physical Bladder", an Australian Neo-Noir film, and "Crazy Old Lady", a captured drama that touches on the Argentine dictatorship.
North American Premieres
In addition to the world premieres, the festival will also feature several North American premieres. These include Radu Jude’s "Dracula", Julia Kowalski’s "It Will Be Fine", Ben Wheatley’s "Bulk", and Kiah Roache-Turner’s "War Animal". These films have already gained recognition at various film festivals, including Locarno and Cannes.
Fantastic Pitches
For the first time, Fantastic Fest will stage Fantastic Pitches, a financing and sales contract program with a $100,000 prize. Finalists will pitch their projects live in front of a jury, which will include Canadian director Matt Johnson. This is a great opportunity for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work and receive funding and support.
Events and Activities
The festival will also feature a range of events and activities, including a fundraising campaign for the Transgender Film Center, a medieval drag show, and discussions on stage. The fantastic debates will also return, providing a platform for attendees to engage in lively discussions about the films and industry trends.
Conclusion
The director of Fantastic Fest, Lisa Dreyer, expressed her pride in the festival’s growth over the years and its ability to provide a platform for genre cinema. The CEO of Alamo Drafthouse, Michael Kustermann, also noted that the festival has become a launch pad for studio partners and independent filmmakers. With its diverse range of films, events, and activities, Fantastic Fest is an exciting event that is not to be missed.
