Film Fests
Fantasia International Film Festival 2024: 10 Films We Can’t Wait To See
Eli and Brendan are very excited about Fantasia International Film Festival’s lineup this year! The independent genre film festival has been haunting Montreal’s Concordia University halls for 28 years, and this year’s program includes over 125 feature films (and over 200 shorts). After much deliberation, we’ve highlighted ten feature films that we’re looking forward to seeing.
Eli’s Most Anticipated Films for Fantasia Fest
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Opening night at Fantasia always has a unique kind of excitement, and I’m pumped to start the festival with an eerie, suspense-filled mystery. Writer Kim Hae-gon adapted Amélie Nothomb’s novel The Stranger Next Door into this South Korean thriller directed by Jay Song. The story focuses on a couple in a new home who become increasingly uncomfortable when a stranger insists on visiting their home every day from 4 to 6 pm. “The cast is incredible,” says Fantasia programmer Steven Lee, “especially the two lead actors Oh Dal-soo (OLDBOY) and Jang Young-nam (PROJECT WOLF HUNTING), who keep the audience invested in the unfortunate situation they’re dealing with.” I love going into thrillers blind, and I hope this one leaves me shaking!
Rita
Writer-director Jayro Bustamante’s follow-up film to his haunting 2019 La Llorona is a must-see on my list. Bustamante is very comfortable weaving Guatemalan history into his moody, supernatural tales, and in Rita, he focuses on a young girl in custody at an orphanage. While pulling from real life atrocities, the girls in Bustamante’s story rally together around a prophecy about a warrior angel. Bustamante himself plans to attend the festival for Rita’s world premiere on July 25th, which will make this screening extra special. I’m excited to see his dreamy, ominous aesthetic applied to this particular story about female anger, innocence, and community.
Hell Hole
Films by The Adams family (The Deeper You Dig, Hellbender, Where the Devil Roams) are always a fantastic experience at Fantasia, and so their latest film, Hell Hole, is a must-see on my list. Shot in Serbia, they weave a tale about an unfortunate fracking crew who awaken a dangerous creature. Fantasia programmer Mitch Davis promises this new feature will “rattle your womb” with its themes of “biological and environmental horror, alongside a potent addressing of gender and bodily autonomy”. The Adams family consistently turns out creative, micro-budget gems that truly push the limits of filmmaking and storytelling, and are essential viewing for any horror enthusiast.
VOÏVOD: We Are Connected
Metal, punk, and rock music are staples at Fantasia screenings, and so this new documentary about the legendary Québec metal band VOÏVOD is a perfect fit for this year’s program. The film promises to explore the band’s 40+ years as a part of the international metal scene, and includes interviews with many many musicians, including Tobias Forge (Ghost), Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth), Jason Newsted (Metallica), Zach Blair (Rise Against, GWAR). Writer/Director Felipe Belalcazar promises to be in attendance at the world premiere on July 29th alongside several members of the band. Aside from the always fascinating oral history about a beloved music genre, I’m hoping that the documentary’s score melts my brain in the best possible way.
Oddity
I cannot resist a spooky movie about the occult, and so of course I will be going to see Oddity, the latest horror film from Irish writer/director Damian McCarthy (Caveat). Constructed like a puzzle, the story centers around the strange death of the protagonist’s twin sister. The protagonist, Darcy, is a blind medium who collects strange, antique items, and happenstance sets her on a path to untangle the mystery at the heart of her sister’s death. Oddity has earned a lot of praise while making the festival rounds across the US, and even picked up the Midnighter Audience Award at this year’s SXSW. Fantasia promises that the film “conjures a bona fide symphony of dread”, and honestly, who could ask for anything more!
Brendan’s Most Anticipated Films for Fantasia Fest
Shelby Oaks
A woman’s desperate search for her long-lost sister, a famous YouTuber who investigated paranormal happenings, falls into obsession upon realizing that the imaginary demon from their childhood may have been real. After a successful Kickstarter campaign that broke records across the platform, the highly anticipated debut feature from YouTube creator Chris Stuckmann is finally here and ready to scare the pants off the world. Shelby Oaks delivers in all departments. Starring Camille Sullivan (Hunter Hunter), Brendan Sexton III (Don’t Breathe 2), Sarah Durn (Renfield), Keith David (The Thing, Nope), and Michael Beach (Aquaman). Produced by Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, and Ashleigh Snead, and Executive Produced by Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy, among others.
I’ve been following the production of this film for quite some time. As a fan of Chris Stuckman’s YouTube channel, I was just happy to support a genre creator. Stuckman has long exalted his love for all things horror, so Shelby Oaks seemed like the next best step for his career. With Paper Street Pictures and Mike Flanagan on board and a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, Shelby Oaks looks to be a genre film for the ages.
The Soul Eater
Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, the acclaimed filmmaking team behind Inside, Livid, and The Deep House, have adopted the popular French novel by Alexis Laipsker to create a fresh turn in their distinctive filmography. A morbid procedural thriller with extreme horror flashpoints, The Soul Eater turned heads when it premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival earlier this year. As violent and gruesome deaths plague a small mountain village, an old legend about a malevolent creature resurfaces. Two cops are compelled to join forces and uncover a sinister plot involving the disappearance of local children. Starring Virginie Ledoyen (8 Femmes), Paul Hamy (Despite the Night), and Sandrine Bonnaire (Vagabond).
Hearing that the team behind Inside, one of the most impressive and grotesque entries in New French Extremity, had a new film coming out AND was having its North American premiere at Fantasia Fest was a dream come true. Maury and Bustillo have had one hell of an impressive career. If you’re not sold on the creators of Inside coming out with a new film described as one with ‘extreme horror flashpoints’ then what would sell you on anything?
From My Cold Dead Hands
It’s no surprise that you can find all kinds of bizarre things on YouTube, from conspiracy nuts to pet videos and videos of people generally acting stupid. Still, gun videos seem to hold a very special place in the internet pantheon. Everything from stunt challenges, gun tutorials, and product reviews to second-amendment rants and lots and lots of enthusiasts showing off, so if you want to watch gun videos, you’ll be set for a long time. And let’s be honest with ourselves, you may never want to touch a gun in your life, but there’s definitely a bizarre fascination with this culture, and guns themselves have been a staple of cinema since the days of The Great Train Robbery. Hell, films with massive amounts of gun violence have screened throughout the history of Fantasia, so we’re just as fascinated with this stuff as most others are.
Gun culture is a weird thing, especially in a country where toddlers shoot adults every week for two years straight. Seemingly, From My Cold Dead Hands takes a documentary angle to make Americans take a cold hard look at our bizarre obsession. I usually avoid documentaries, but something about From My Cold Dead Hands resonates with this former Central Pennsylvania resident.
Rats!
“Did somebody say world-motherfucking-peace?” The year is 2007, and after being arrested for vandalizing Fresno’s finest public telephone, teenage delinquent in the making Raphael (Luke Wilcox) is let off the hook with only 50 days of community service. However, the catch is that he must move in with his drug-dealing cousin (Darius Autry), who is accused of selling WMDs to [name redacted] by Officer Williams (Danielle Evon Ploeger, Country Gold), a delusional, unhinged, low-level police officer with a grudge. Unfortunately for Raphael, who would much rather listen to screamo and spend time with the new cool emo girl (Khali Sykes), he finds himself entangled with an FBI sting operation, a suicide, Steve Irwin, and the kitchen sink!
Simply put, Rats! Sounds like a blast and a half. I don’t think I have been more down for a good time than I have until I read the description for Rats!.
Vulcanizadora
Vulcanizadora follows Derek (Joel Potrykus, director of Relaxer and The Alchemist Cookbook), a father who would rather take a bottle rocket to the face than confront his failures, and Marty (Joshua Burge, Relaxer, Ape), an arsonist who is leading the charge on the sprint toward hellfire and away from his juvenile transgressions. These best friends embark on a seemingly innocent camping trip through the Michigan woods, but their disturbing pact becomes increasingly clear as they approach the X on the map!
Joel Potrykus is one of the most interesting genre filmmakers of our time. Potrykus’s oddball approach to filmmaking and storytelling is unparalleled. Finding a filmmaker who constantly tops their own methods of madness is rare; a needle in a haystack. I appreciate fests like Fantasia for continually giving filmmakers like Potrykus a screen and an audience to shine their unique visions all over.
Tell us what we missed! What films are you excited for us to cover?
And most importantly, if you’re in Canada, get your tickets here!
Last week, the Fantasia International Film Festival wrapped up yet another stellar year of madness and mayhem after showcasing over 120 feature films and over 200 shorts from 54 different countries. At the opening ceremony, artistic director Mitch Davis enthusiastically reflected on the festival’s 30 years of cutting-edge film programming. At the festival’s inception and for many years, the programming team would seek out international films that could not secure distribution in the North American market (and those that did would often end up modified and heavily edited, something Davis called “a constant cultural crime”). Recently, streaming platforms have completely changed the game. “It’s a miracle that Fantasia has lasted the way that it has,” said Davis while praising the team of programmers for continuing to support indie genre filmmaking.
Fantasia Film Festival 2026 Round Up
One thing that remains consistent at Fantasia International Film Festival is a dedication to featuring films made by human labor in all sorts of creative ways. Practical effects reigned supreme, and audiences reacted enthusiastically to anything that challenged filmmaking norms. Here are some of our highlights from the fest that showcased those values. (For coverage of our absolute favs, check out these articles about Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Mum I’m Alien Pregnant, Castration Movie and Corpus)
No Rest for the Wicked
This dark gothic tale from the remote Faroe Islands truly enthralled audiences. Director Kasper Kalle gave his actors plenty of space to long after one another while showcasing the stunning, dramatic landscape of the islands. The premise may be simple, but the execution is perfect, and it’s no wonder that Kalle took home the Cheval Noir award for directing (as did actor Pilou Asbaek for his performance).
Nightborn
Hanna Bergholm’s follow up to her debut Hatching (2022) stars Seidi Haarla as a new mum (alongside Rupert Grint as her husband) who moves to the Finnish countryside to restore her childhood cottage. Motherhood proves way more challenging than she expects, and her newborn child doesn’t quite match her expectations. Nightborn truly goes off the rails while blending both body and folk horror, and took home the top prize for Best Film at the festival.
Drag
Lucy DeVito and Lizzie Caplan star in this thriller about two sisters trying to break out of a mansion that they broke into. The less said the better about the plot, but it’s safe to say that the situation escalates dramatically. The construction of this story expertly uses detail to play with tension and humor, which makes it really fun to watch alongside a rambunctious crowd.
I Love Paris
This vampire mockumentary follows an ambitious Parisian wannabe pop star (who dubs herself Paris) as she tries to secure a coveted spot at an upcoming music festival with a little help from supernatural forces. Aminata Thiboult nails the titular role as she and her friends rampage across the city seeking both fame and blood.
Black Zombie
Maya Annik Bedward does an incredible job of weaving together the history of Haiti, Voodoo, and the zombie mythology in this must-see documentary. The story of what it took to get this film completed perhaps deserves its own documentary. “We started filming in LA in March 2020, so I was in LA when the whole world shut down,” Bedward told us at the premiere, adding “after that, things changed a lot.” She explained that after Haiti’s president was assassinated in 2021, “things have just become more and more difficult for people in Haiti and I’d say the majority of the people who were involved in the film – if they could leave, they’ve left.”
Colony
Director Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan) returns to the zombie genre with this fast-paced gonzo action-horror hybrid about a group of strangers trying to escape a horde of people who seemingly share a hive mind. It’s fun, it’s dumb, and it has a very high body count.
Buddy
What if Barney the purple dinosaur was an orange unicorn, and was also evil? That is basically the story of Buddy, a demonic beast masquerading as a beloved children’s TV show as he summons his victims to his universe. Too Many Cooks creator Casper Kelly delivers this madhouse of a film full of gorgeous sets, practical effects, and lots of fantastic gore.
Short Films Matter at Fantasia Film Festival Too!
The short film program is just as important as the features, and this year we saw some real knockouts! Sleep Through Summer stunned audiences with its eerie dystopian punishment system, and I Walked Through The Wall was notable for its creativity and acting. Needle had us all squirming and cringing through its final moments, and the sheer scope of The Pigs Underneath left an unforgettable impression.
Honorable mentions!
- Ferine was an absolutely bonkers modern giallo bloodfest with a magnificent score.
- Home Bodies, a locked room story about two siblings being raised by a disembodied voice, had the best production design of any film we saw.
- Godhead is Mark H Rappaport’s (slightly) less disturbing follow-up to his cult hit Hippo. Here he delivers another stunning visual feast.
- The Glorious Dead is the latest entry from festival favs The Adams Family. They applied their unique community style of filmmaking to an apocalyptic horror show set in a snow-covered small town, and the result will absolutely please their fans.
On a personal note, it’s always a joy to immerse myself in such a crazy festival like Fantasia. Shout out to the staff and volunteers who keep the whole event running, and see you next year!
Corpus
Corrin Evans premiered her debut feature film Corpus at Fantasia Film Festival.
Corpus is a steamy thriller set in 1997 New York, which follows a group of friends who travel to a remote mansion for a party, though what they find is not quite what they expected.
Intimacy and consent are at the heart of this film. The characters often long for and lust after each other, and Evans makes sure that the audience feels every breath and every touch. The film looks exquisite, thanks in part to cinematographer Charlie Cole. Together they designed a lighting setup using either natural lighting or very hot tungsten lights (which added to the steamy aesthetic). “I just love the body,” explained Evans at the world premiere in Montreal. “I knew I wanted it to feel very visceral and flowing from the gut, like you’re really with these characters up close. I wanted to be able to feel skin and pores.”
Having worked as an intimacy coordinator for several years, Evans brought her industry experience to both the story and her directing choices. Co-writer and actor Lily Cowles (who plays Billie in the film) praised Evans for her directing style. “I’ve often thought the reason that you’re a good director is the same reason you’re a good intimacy coordinator.” Cowles continued, adding that “when you’re on set, there’s a level of safety and an openness, and you can really trust that Corrin’s going to keep you in that pocket.”
So much of Corpus was crafted by the hands of the cast and the crew. Many of the effects were done practically (including one devastating moment that we will not spoil here), and the main location – an old mansion – was dressed and designed to feel authentically lived in. Even the score, composed by VAAAL (pronounced like wall with a v), was created using an organic process. “ I’ve been wanting to work with him forever,” explained Evans about their collaboration. “He’s an insane musician.”
Corpus will leave your skin crawling in all the best possible ways.
Castration Movie Chapter iii.ii Junior Ghosts—Premorphic Drift; a fragmentary passage
Louise Weard showcased an excerpt from the third part of her anthology epic Castration Movie at Fantasia Film Festival last month.
Weard’s epic anthology film is all about exploring “trans-temporality”, as she explained to the Fantasia crowd. “Your timeline gets so skewed in an interesting way, where transition becomes this benchmark.” Her original intent was to release one long 24h film as a way to reclaim that lost time, so to speak. She uses her family’s digital camcorder to shoot everything and uses tapes of her as a child to record and re-record her footage. She writes, directs, shoots, and edits everything, often exploring very dark topics.
While this may sound intimidating on paper, Weard writes with a vicious sense of humor, and has an excellent sense of how to balance sincerity with cringe. This particular section focuses its story on a romantic couple as one partner transitions. Weard’s excerpt produced maybe the most visceral reactions of the festival, with audience members actively heckling one of the onscreen characters during the film’s final act. While previous chapters have featured both graphic and sexually explicit content, this part focused instead on a kind of deep emotional trauma that is usually left to the most toxic of internet forums.
“This movie is my parody of Lawrence Anyways,” quipped Weard (who is trans herself) as the audience was still reeling from the film. She went on to explain how often trans stories are told from the perspective of the cis gaze, that the narrative arc focuses on how a cis person feels about another person’s transness. Weard’s camera work often zooms into the cis partner’s eyes as they watch their trans partner go about their day. “We’re going to really put that gaze under the microscope, almost literally in terms of how zoomed in we are on those eyes. And I think it creates a horror atmosphere in a lot of ways.”
The full scope of Castration Movie is yet to be revealed. Castration Movie Anthology i: Traps has a daunting runtime of 4h 35m, while Castration Movie Anthology ii: The Best of Both Worlds runs 5h. The excerpt presented at Montreal’s International Fantasia Festival ran 2h 10m, though Weard plans to release the full Castration Movie Anthology iii: Year of the Hyaena later this year, and is already working on an Anthology IV and V. “I like to think of it at this point like show running. Because it’s been literally nonstop production for coming up on four years. I’ve been shooting every weekend for four years.”
Weard was working as a PA when she started shooting her film, but “unfortunately, I kept running out of money,” she laughed, and of course the 2023 writer’s strike did not help her situation. She decided to release segments of her film to raise funds so she could keep shooting. With this specific 2h segment, Weard hopes to bring more audiences into her universe. “This gets to be the easy access point where someone can demo the castration movie experience for just two hours and decide if they want to commit to the whole 24-hour endeavor,” she chuckled.
