PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Since 2005, Fantastic Fest – which has become one of the largest genre film festivals in North America – has gleefully brought audiences a wild array of programming. Movies from all over the world are featured during the renowned festival, bringing filmmakers and fans from far and wide to gather in the capital of the Lone Star State and converge upon the Alamo Drafthouse located on South Lamar nestled in Austin.
Running from September 21st through September 28th, this year’s lineup yet again boasts a well-rounded slate of programming. Features and shorts hailing from countries like Morocco, Germany, France, and India help highlight an intriguing mixture of horror, sci-fi, thrillers, and beyond.
Staying true to form, Fantastic Fest is also enthusiastically including some cult favorites such as Jackie Kong’s outrageous late eighties horror-comedy, Blood Diner, and the under-the-radar and presented by AGFA (American Genre Film Archive) mindfuck from Japan, Centipede Horror. Also making an appearance this year are the anticipated first two episodes from Alex de la Iglesia’s second season of 30 Coins.
Premieres are a-plenty, though, in these parts. Fantastic Fest does not screw around with their state, national, or world premieres. Looking over the schedule and noting their continuing need to offer fresh and provocative selections, my heart pounded with potential cinematic pleasures.
– U.S. premiere of Demián Rugna’s (Terrified, Satanic Hispanics) When Evil Lurks.
– World premiere of Heidi Moore’s (Dolly Deadly) Kill Dolly Kill.
– International premiere of Mathieu Turi’s (Hostile) The Deep Dark.
– North American premiere of Richard Karpala and Gabriel Bienczycki’s debut, Falling Stars.
– Texas premiere of Joe Lynch’s (Mayhem, Knights of Badassdom) Suitable Flesh.
– World premiere of Macon Blair’s (Blue Ruin, Murder Party) reboot of Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz’s The Toxic Avenger (2023) starring Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, Cyrano), which is accompanied by a special teaser trailer for the upcoming documentary Monster Girls, directed by Jessie Seitz (Jakob’s Wife, Beyond Horror: The Sub-Culture of Red Films) focusing on the trials, tribulations, and contributions women FX artists have made in film.
Fantastic Fest will commence in about twenty days deep in the heart of Texas. Check out the full listing of films and special screenings HERE.
