‘BEFORE YOU’ (2025) Emotional short leaves a lasting impact

BEFORE YOUBefore You

Filmmaker Lauren Melinda‘s extraordinary short film BEFORE YOU is an emotional rollercoaster you must ride. The film follows a young couple’s journey in early pregnancy, including their undesired outcome.

I am intentionally being vague because BEFORE YOU should be vital viewing. In just under 13 minutes, Melinda taps into the visceral trauma connected to pregnancy. There exists a collective fear, anxiety, and guilt the moment you discover they are growing a life, and that is something that never fades with time.

From a filmmaking and technical perspective, the augmented sound pulses in your core. The editing is magnificent; a whirlwind of motion and time that feels outerbody and assaulting all at once. It is a subconscious deep dive into the psyche of a pregnant person’s brain and societal expectations. Actress Tala Ashe captures every emotion, often with little to no dialogue.

A physical manifestation of emotional trauma and a simultaneous catharsis, BEFORE YOU flips the narrative of abortion on its head, revealing the truth behind necessary health care access without ever mentioning politics. Women’s lives are at stake. Autonomy and family planning are at stake. This short film speaks volumes.


Inspired by writer-director Lauren Melinda’s own experience, Before You follows a couple in the aftermath of a decision they never imagined making: ending a planned pregnancy. Told with restraint and emotional clarity, the film explores the quiet, often invisible grief that can accompany reproductive loss.

Created in collaboration with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Before You moves away from polarizing narratives and toward a more personal lens. It invites audiences to sit with the nuance, silence, and complexity of a choice that is so often politicized, yet deeply human.

Starring Tony nominee Tala Ashe (English on Broadway), the film gives voice to an experience many carry privately. Across from her, Adam Rodriguez (Criminal Minds) brings depth and warmth to a role that balances strength and uncertainty. Together, their performances anchor the film in something intimate and real.

Before You has been selected by several notable festivals, including the Oscar-qualifying St. Louis International Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, deadCenter, and Film Independent’s Artist Development Showcase. During its run, Melinda received the Chaz Ebert Phenomenal Person in Film Award, and the film was recognized for Best Cinematography and Excellence in Editing.

In addition to screenings, Melinda and her team have partnered with Planned Parenthood chapters in Missouri, Idaho and Birmingham to host post-film conversations and panels. More are planned this fall, including upcoming screenings in Los Angeles, Catalina, Breckenridge and New York. Simbelle Productions, Melinda’s nonprofit production company, continues to support female-led narrative films with bold emotional stakes and meaningful social reach.

Simbelle’s recent projects include Sarah Friedland’s Familiar Touch, winner of the Orizzonti Best Director and Best Actress at the 2024 Venice Film Festival; Sophy Romvari’s Blue Heron, recipient of Locarno’s Swatch First Feature Award; and Alex Burunova’s Satisfaction, which premiered at SXSW. Before You marks Simbelle’s first in-house production.

Melinda is also developing a photography project alongside Before You, inviting individuals to visually express their experiences with abortion or reproductive loss, whether through portraiture or more abstract means. The goal is to create space for healing, connection, and storytelling.

For more short film coverage, click here!

‘IN OUR BLOOD’ (2025) A twisty thriller about more than family.

IN OUR BLOOD

In Our Blood poster

Pedro Kos‘ festival hit IN OUR BLOOD hits theaters this Friday. The story follows a young filmmaker named Emily, who hires a cinematographer to record her reunion with her estranged mother, Sam. When Sam suddenly disappears and her friends find themselves targeted, Emily and Danny go on a wild goose chase to find out why.

Still 4_IN OUR BLOODAlanna Ubach plays Emily’s mother, Sam. A former addict seeking redemption, Ubach is a pro, settling into a weighty role. For me, Ubach created some of the most memorable sidekick roles of the ’90s and early 2000s, carrying a Lili Taylor vibe with her comedic timing. It is a dramatic departure that is phenomenal.

Krisha Fairchild plays Ana with grounded confidence. This compelling performance is one you will not see coming. E.J. Bonilla brings a humble and powerful presence to Danny. Kos provides the character with an intriguing background that Bonilla uses to counter Emily’s guarded aura. He is the heart of the film.

in our bloodBrittany O’Grady owns this role. Emily is in almost every shot, and O’Grady powers through unresolved trauma with ferocity. This fearless portrayal of a daughter dying for answers will pull you in. There is an undeniable gravity to this performance.

Still 2_IN OUR BLOODThe mostly handheld camerawork subconsciously forces the audience to participate in the mystery and the emotional turmoil. Beyond the genre fare, IN OUR BLOOD also acts as a viewfinder for the vibrant yet desolate aspects of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Screenwriter Mallory Westfall provides clues, if you pay attention, so I suggest you do. Even with that said, the twists are absolutely clutch. Currently boasting a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, IN OUR BLOOD is a gripping mix of horror and thriller. True crime fans will eat this up for dinner. I’m demanding a franchise from Kos and Westfall, ASAP.

IN OUR BLOOD WILL BE IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 24, 2025

IMDb: Here

Synopsis: Nothing is as it seems when filmmaker Emily Wyland (Brittany O’Grady) teams up with cinematographer Danny (E. J. Bonilla) to shoot an intimate documentary about reuniting with Emily’s estranged mother after a decade apart. When her mother suddenly goes missing, possibly succumbing to the addictions that first tore her family apart, Emily and Danny must piece together increasingly sinister clues to find her before it’s too late.

Directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Pedro Kos (Rebel Hearts, Lead Me Home) in his first narrative feature, IN OUR BLOOD masterfully blends psychological mystery with chilling horror. The film weaves a twisted tale of reconciling with the ghosts of our past and confronting the complicity we share in creating a world that preys on the most vulnerable

Still 7_IN OUR BLOODGenre: Thriller/Horror

Runtime: 88 minutes

Language: English

Country of Origin: United States

Year: 2025

Production Company: Firefly Theater and Films, Liberty Films, Aaron Kogan Management, Revelations

Director: Pedro Kos

Writer: Mallory Westfall

Producers: Aaron Kogan, Stuart Fenegan, Gary Lucchesi, Michael McKay, Steven Klein

Distributor: Utopia

Cast: Brittany O’Grady (Star, It’s What’s Inside), E. J. Bonilla (Gemini Man), Alanna Ubach (Euphoria), Krisha Fairchild (Penelope), Leo Marks, Bianca Comparato (3%), Steven Klein

For more thriller coverage, click here!

‘DEAD GIVEAWAY’ (Philadelphia Film Festival 2025) Female buddy comedy meets whodunit.

philadelphia film fest logoDEAD GIVEAWAY

Dead GiveawayIan Kimble brings a laugh-out-loud murder mystery, DEAD GIVEAWAY, to the Philadelphia Film Festival. After waking up hungry, with a hangover and a murdered stranger in her bed, Jill’s (Ruby Modine) day spirals into chaos as she navigates a tied-up man in her closet, an unconscious roommate, and a knife to her best friend’s neck. The goal? To get to brunch by 3:00 pm.

What does one do upon the discovery of a dead body? Call your best friend, obviously. Jill ropes in Lia, making her a potential accessory after the fact. But Jill is convinced she had nothing to do with the mystery man in her bed. Avoiding her uptight roommate and the string of men that keep coming to the door, these besties must try to remember how their night went down, and that they are still friends jonesing for brunch.

Still 3- Mikaela Hoover and Ruby Modine DEAD GIVEAWAY (Credit_ VP Independent)Mikaela Hoover is Lia. Her disgust with both her current predicament and the rather gross crime scene is only outdone by her aserbic wit. She has a familiar energy, something we have seen in classic comedy duos of the most successful sitcoms. Hoover’s distinct look matches that tangibility. Ruby Modine is hilarious. Jill, like Lia, is generally messy and self-assured. Modine harnesses a manic energy that nails the genre. The two share unhinged chemistry. It is a delightful pairing. 

Kimble and DP Anthony Berenato Jr.‘s editing is everything in this script. The audience gets bits of information in the real-time chaos of piecing things together. Combined with the camerawork, we get a perfect mix of quirky and engaging. 

The premise is an entirely absurd whodunit. You think you know what is going on, but do not get comfortable. If you are a true crime baddie, and who is not these days, DEAD GIVEAWAY will make you laugh and yell at the screen, because frankly, Jill and Lia should know better. The laughs are bottomless. Cheers to Ian Kimble and the entire team for delivering something delicious.


DEAD GIVEAWAY Clip:

Friday, October 17 at 9:45 PM (World Premiere)
Location: Film Society Center
1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Sunday, October 26 at 8:00 PM
Location: Film Society East
125 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

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‘SCARED SHITLESS’ (2025) Gooey, goofy greatness.

Blue fox LogoSCARED SHITLESS

ScaredShitless_FinalKA_1920x1080

Vivieno Caldinelli delivers a beautifully absurd, delightfully disgusting treat with SCARED SHITLESS. The film follows widowed plumber Don and his germaphobic son Sonny as they attempt to save an apartment building from a disastrous lab experiment.
 
scared shitless 1Chelsea Clark (Pins and Needles) gives Patricia, the building owner’s daughter, an incredibly grounding energy. She’s the straight character of this bunch. Patricia also solidifies the plot by guilting Sonny into continuing his work and providing a safe space for Sonny’s phobias. Clark also serves as the third hero with her scientific knowledge.
 
scared shitless 2Daniel Doheny plays Sonny with perfect manic energy. He is one panic attack away from implosion. Doheny handily glides through Sonny’s arch as the gross factor increases. He nails this genre. Steven Ogg (Dark Match) is such a magnetic presence in everything, and as Don is no exception. His relentless confidence makes him easy to root for. Clark, Doheny, and Ogg share phenomenal chemistry. I would love to see this trio tackle more weird shit together.
 
scared shitless creatureSteven Kostanski serves as both Executive Producer and FX goo god. The amount of physical ick in the film should come as no surprise to fans of Kostanski’s work. PG: Psycho Goreman is a damn joy. Writer Brandon J. Cohen seamlessly marries creature feature gore, family trauma, and laugh-out-loud funny dialogue. The kills are actually insane. I definitely yelled, “OH, SHIT,” at the scream. I gagged more than once. Troma would be proud.
PS- stay for the credits.

HERE is the Scared Shitless TRAILER.

SCARED SHITLESS, opening in US theaters and on digital October 3, 2025.



The buzzy festival creature feature stars Steven Ogg (“Grand Theft Auto,” AMC’s The Walking Dead, HBO’s Westworld), Daniel Doheny (Alex Strangelove, The Package, Syfy’s Day of the Dead), Chelsea Clark (Degrassi: Next Class, Tokens, Ginny & Georgia, The Protector, Life with Luca), and Mark McKinney (The Kids in the Hall). The film picked up several festival awards during its festival run which included over 25 official selections internationally. (full list below)

In Scared Shitless, a plumber (Ogg) and his germaphobic son (Doheny) are forced to get their hands dirty to save the residents of an apartment building when a genetically engineered, blood-thirsty, creature escapes into the plumbing system.

Genre: Horror Comedy
Distributor: Blue Fox Entertainment
Production Company: Happy Cat Productions
Directed by: Vivieno Caldinelli
Written by: Brandon Cohen
Produced by: Lewis Spring
Cast: Steven Ogg, Daniel Doheny, Chelsea Clark, Mark McKinney, Marcia Bennet
Tagline: Don’t forget to flush!
Logline: Two plumbers are forced to save the residents of a building when they discover a killer creature in the pipes.
Synopsis: Don, a blue-collar plumber, and Sonny, his germaphobic son, are forced to take care of one another after the death of Sonny’s mom. To help Sonny overcome his germaphobia, Don drags him out on a routine house call where they encounter a plumber’s worst nightmare… a vicious killer creature that’s swimming through the pipes, killing the building’s tenants in an increasingly grisly fashion.
Country: Canada
Language:  English
Not Yet Rated
Year: 2025
 
 
Film Festivals Info
Scared Shitless Wins:
Fantasia Film Festival (Montreal) – Bronze Audience Award for Best Canadian Feature 
Blood In The Snow (Toronto) – Best Picture, Best Special Makeup F/X
Fantaspoa (Brazil) – Best All-Nighter Film
FogFest (Newfoundland) – Best Special Effects
FilmQuest (Utah) – Best Supporting Actor
Dead Of The Night (UK) – Best Feature
NorthWest FearFest (Edmonton) – Best Canadian Feature
Vancouver Horror Show (Vancouver) – Best Lead Actor
Be Afraid Horror Fest (Italy) – Best Feature
 
Nominations:
Vancouver Horror Show – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Writer, Best Cinematography
Fantasy Film Fest – Fresh Blood Award
FilmQuest – Best Makeup F/X, Best Production Design/Art Direction, Best Actor
Blood In The Snow – Best Supporting Actor
FogFest (Newfoundland) – Golden Guts Award
 
Official Selection:
Fantasia (Montreal)
FrightFest UK (London)
Screamfest (LA)
Calgary International Film Festival (Calgary)
Fantasy Film Fest (Germany)
Slash Film Festival (Austria)
ASNIFF (France)
Dead of The Night (UK) 
Ramaskrik (Norway)
Vancouver Horror Show (Vancouver)
Horrorthon (Dublin) 
Razor Reel (Belgium)
NorthWest FearFest (Edmonton) 
Lund (Sweden)
FilmQuest (Utah)
Morbido (Mexico)
Blood In The Snow (Toronto)
It’s Alive (Bulgaria)
Blodig (Denmark)
Molins (Spain)
Tallins (Estonia)
Night Visions (Finland)
Be Afraid Horror Fest (Italy) 
BIFFF (Belgium)
Fantaspoa (Brazil)
Brugggore (Switzerland)
FogFest (Newfoundland)
 
For more horror, click here!

‘SHE LOVED BLOSSOMS MORE’ (2025) A trippy rumination on grief and time.

Dark Sky Films LogoSHE LOVED BLOSSOMS MORE

SHE_LOVED_BLOSSOMS_MORE-POSTER

Yannis Veslemes‘ psychedelic rumination on death and time, SHE LOVED BLOSSOMS MORE, finally arrives beyond its wildly successful festival run. Three brothers, longing to bring their dead mother back to life, build a time machine. Hedgehog, Dummy, and Japan reside in their family estate, experimenting with household items and unresolved grief.

she loved blossoms more 2The boys flitter between trials, doing whatever drugs they can procure, speaking with utter nonchalance about their intentions. Hedgehog, clearly consumed by sadness, eagerly claws his way towards his ultimate goal. Obsession takes hold.

she loved blossoms more 3Cinematographer Christos Karamanis brings the viewer inside their drug trips, of which there are many, blurring the lines of reality. Fair warning: if you are sensitive to light or sound, the film can be overwhelming, but inarguably hypnotic. Performances, particularly Panos Papadopoulos, are fantastic.

Production designer Elena Vardava delivers a sumptuous and enveloping atmosphere of jewel-toned furnishings and eclectic wares. The FX team brings wide-eyed gazes with the brothers’ trials, which include a skinless pig and a headless chicken, to start. But the pièce de résistance is the transformation of Dummy’s girlfriend, Samantha.

SHE_LOVED_BLOSSOMS_MORESci-fi extravagance aside, Veslemes takes audiences on a visceral and emotional ride into darkness. There is no denying SHE LOVED BLOSSOMS MORE is a WTF, jaw-dropping watch.


SHE LOVED BLOSSOMS MORE Trailer:

Director: Yannis Veslemes | 2025 | 88 mins | Thriller | Greek, French

SHE LOVED BLOSSOMS MORE IS NOW IN SELECT THEATERS AND ON DIGITAL

 

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‘COYOTES’ (2025) A campy creature-feature to feed our genre need.

aura logoCOYOTES

coyotes poster

Campy survival horror COYOTES is honestly exactly what we need in this grossly exhausting political climate we currently find ourselves in. The film finds a family trapped in their Hollywood Hills home by a vicious pack of coyotes that will kill anything in their path. Liv, Scott, and daughter Chloe battle these ravenous creatures amidst unraveling familial bonds and uninvited guests.

COYOTES would be a perfect doubt feature with Werewolves Within. Both films have quirky characters. Keir O’Donnell gives exterminator Devon a greasy, cringey confidence. Norbert Leo Butz encapsulates the coked-up, sex-addicted next-door neighbor, Trip.

coyotes Mila harrisBrittany Allen plays sex worker Julie. Her ability to steal scenes is magic. Mila Harris is Liv and Scott’s animal-loving daughter, Chloe. She beautifully holds her own alongside Bosworth and Long. Their family chemistry is delicious.

Kate Bosworth is Liv. She is an absolute badass, loving mother. She is the grounding force of the film. Scream king Justin Long gives us delightfully approachable Dad vibes as Scott. The addition of his inability to look at blood is actual perfection. Long’s jokes counter the utter madness and mayhem surrounding the little family unit.

COYOTES - Justin Long - CourtesyThis is essentially an ensemble survival horror. The CGI coyotes are a bit Twilight-y, but the practical FX are legit. The kills are super creative, and one is particularly gnarly and incredibly satisfying for genre fans. Scott’s occupation is a graphic novel artist. Director Colin Minihan uses his drawings as character intro cards as well as panel swipe transitions. The script is a clever worst-case scenario tornado, social satire, while simultaneously tying in a neglected relationship element.

COYOTES fills a disassociation void with a fun time. We get to see the authentic chemistry between the recently engaged Long and Bosworth, and enjoy Long’s characteristic slapstick comic timing. Grab some popcorn and have a solid night in.


COYOTES Trailer:

IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 3, 2025



Synopsis: After a Santa Ana windstorm knocks out power in the Hollywood Hills and crushes the family SUV, the Stewarts — Scott, Liv, and their precocious daughter, Chloe — are stranded in their hillside home with no cell service, no escape route, and just enough Spam to start a riot.

But the real problem? Coyotes. Not the scrappy, skittish kind that dig through your garbage and steal your cat — but smart, organized, murder-flavored coyotes. Led by a scar-faced alpha with serious beef, the coyote pack starts picking off neighbors like it’s happy hour at an all-you-can-eat casino buffet.

As wildfires rage on one side and a bloodthirsty canine death cult circles the other, the Stewarts — armed with nothing but a flashlight, an old iPad, and some questionable decision-making skills — must band together and transform from cozy suburbanites into blood-smeared survivalists.

COYOTES is a savage, satirical survival thriller where nature bites back — and this time, it brought friends. Welcome to the apex of the food chain. It’s going badly.


Genre: Thriller/Horror

Runtime: 91 minutes

Language: English

Country of Origin: United States

Year: 2025

Production Companies: Capstone Studios, Gramercy Park Media, Jaguar Bite

Director: Colin Minihan

Writers: Tad Daggerhart, Daniel Meers, and Nick Simon

Producers: Nathan Klingher, p.g.a., Ford Corbett, Josh Harris, Jib Polhemus, p.g.a.

Executive Producers: Simon Beltran Echeverri, Kate Bosworth, Jason Carpenter, Tad Daggerhart

Distributor: AURA Entertainment

Cast: Justin Long, Kate Bosworth, Mila Harris, Brittany Allen, and Katherine McNamara

For more horror, click here!

‘SCURRY’ (2025) Super satisfying creature-feature available this Friday

SCURRY

Scurry poster

Luke Sparke‘s apocalyptic sci-fi creature feature SCURRY opens in theaters and on VOD this Friday. The film follows two strangers trapped in a series of pitch black tunnels. They search for an escape route while being stalked by the lifeforms wreaking havoc above ground.

scurry main stillFew films have been able to pull off the one-shot feat. SCURRY owns it. Here is a team that has total trust, impeccable timing, and chemistry between the cast and crew, leading to cinematic magic. The element of enveloping darkness, a small, unpredictable light source, and the blurry infrared of a camcorder create relentless dread.

scurry stillJamie Costa and Emalia (The Dog) are spectacular, balancing caution, fear, desperation, audacity, and unrelenting determination. Screenwriter Tom Evans has Mark and Kate simultaneously butting heads while also needing to collaborate. Emalia’s physical performance encapsulates real-life panic attacks. Costa’s emotionally fraught turn has you rooting for him. If you’re like me, you may find yourself yelling at the screen.

Scurry has elements of CLOVERFIELD, THE DESCENT, and Stephen King‘s THE MIST. It is a tense and entertaining watch from beginning to end.


Scurry Trailer:

Luke Sparke’s One-Shot Horror Sci-Fi Scurry
Starring Jamie Costa & Emalia
Streaming on Digital HD October 3


When an unthinkable attack devastates their city, two strangers find themselves trapped beneath the chaos, wounded and disoriented. As they fight to survive in a narrowing underground tunnel, their injuries worsen, and their chances of escape dwindle. But the collapsing passageways aren’t their only threat—something else is lurking in the darkness, something relentless and hungry. Shot in real-time using a single continuous take, Scurry delivers a gripping, claustrophobic horror experience that will keep audiences on edge until the very last moment.

For more horror, click here!

Fantastic Fest 2025 Announces Awards!

Fantastic Fest 2025 Poster

FANTASTIC FEST 2025 AWARDS

Austin, TX – September 23, 2025 – Fantastic Fest 2025 is excited to unveil the winners of this year’s awards, celebrating a remarkable array of genre films from around the world. With an abundance of unique and captivating features and shorts, narrowing down the selections proved to be a tough challenge. Even so, our distinguished jury has risen to the occasion, selecting the most outstanding works of the festival.

Fantastic Fest was also thrilled to host the first edition of Fantastic Pitches this year, presented by Chroma. The winning pitch receives $100,000 in funding for their feature film, global distribution, and a world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2026.

“To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we curated a remarkable lineup of feature and short films,” said Annick Mahnert, Director of Programming for Fantastic Fest. “Each year, our jurors face the difficult task of choosing from an extraordinary pool of talent, and this year was no exception. Despite the challenge, their selections reflect the true spirit of Fantastic Fest — a celebration of global cinema and the diverse voices that bring it to life.”


“MAIN COMPETITION” FEATURES Fantastic Fest 2025

Jurors: Mercedes Bryce Morgan, Fred Durst, Patton Oswalt
The Plague

Best Picture: THE PLAGUE, directed by Charlie Polinger

Best Director: Bartosz M. Kowalski – 13 DAYS TILL SUMMER

Special Mention: DECORADO, directed by Alberto Vázquez


“NEXT WAVE” FEATURES Fantastic Fest 2025

Jurors: Aaron Schimberg, Otessa Moshfegh, Lars Knudsen
CAMP_StillBest Picture: CAMP, directed by Avalon Fast

Best Director: Paolo Strippoli – THE HOLY BOY

Special Mention: LUGER, directed by Bruno Martín


“HORROR” FEATURES Fantastic Fest 2025

Jurors: Jose Cañas, Mònica García Massagué, Brandon Hill

The Vile still 2
Best Picture: THE VILE, directed by Majid Al Ansari

Best Director: Martín Mauregui – CRAZY OLD LADY

Special Mention: Best Kill – Knife in Bed in THE CURSE, directed by Kenichi Ugan


SHORT FILMS Fantastic Fest 2025
Jurors: Lisa Ogdie, Shams Mohajerani, Matt Pifko


SHORTS “BEST OF FEST”

WATER SPORTS, directed by Whammy Alcazaren


SHORTS WITH LEGS

Best Picture: WATER SPORTS, directed by Whammy Alcazaren


SHORT FUSE

Best Picture: THE DYSPHORIA, directed by Kylie Aoibheann


FANTASTIC SHORTS

Best Picture: GIANT SKELETON, directed by Austin Birtch


DRAWN AND QUARTERED

Best Picture: A BREATH OF MINDFULNESS, directed by Milly Cohen

Honorable Mention: THE GNAWER OF ROCKS, directed by Louise Flaherty


AUDIENCE AWARD Fantastic Fest 2025

THE HOLY BOY, directed by Paolo Strippoli
HOLY_BOY_StillFANTASTIC PITCHES Fantastic Fest 2025

Jurors: Barbara Crampton, Toby Poser, Tim League, Matt Johnson

PLAY HOUSE director Nicolas Curcio, Producer Kirby Gladstein, Producer Ben Gojer



For more information on the films listed above, visit https://www.fantasticfest.com/film-guide.

For the latest developments, visit the Fantastic Fest official site www.fantasticfest.com and follow the festival on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.


About Fantastic Fest Fantastic Fest 2025

Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. In years past, the festival has been home to the world and US premieres of PARASITE, SMILE, JOJO RABBIT, THE BLACK PHONE, JOHN WICK, FRANKENWEENIE, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, APOCALYPTO, ZOMBIELAND, RED DAWN, SPLIT, HALLOWEEN, BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, MID 90s, and SUSPIRIA while the guest roster has included such talent as Tim Burton, Nicolas Winding-Refn, Lilly and Lana Wachowski, Bong Joon-Ho, Taika Waititi, Robert Rodriguez, Rian Johnson, Bill Murray, Keanu Reeves, Martin Landau, Winona Ryder, Edward Norton, Ryan Reynolds, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, Karl Urban, Josh Hartnett, The RZA, Dolph Lundgren, Paul Rudd, Bill Pullman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Kevin Smith, Jon Favreau, George Romero, Darren Aronofsky, Mike Judge, Karyn Kusama, M. Night Shyamalan, James McAvoy, Vince Vaughn, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jonah Hill, Barbara Crampton and Jessica Harper. Fantastic Fest also features world, national, and regional premieres of new, up-and-coming genre films. Fantastic Fest has seen the acquisition of many titles, including BULLHEAD, KILL LIST, MONSTERS, KLOWN, THE FP, PENUMBRA, HERE COMES THE DEVIL, NO REST FOR THE WICKED, VANISHING WAVES, COMBAT GIRLS, I DECLARE WAR, THE PERFECTION, and TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID. Fantastic Fest is held each year at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas. Alamo Drafthouse has been named the best theater in the country by Entertainment Weekly, Wired, and TIME.


In March 2023, Fantastic Fest joined the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations) as a Competitive Specialized Feature Film Festival alongside Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.


About Alamo Drafthouse

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was founded in 1997 as a single-screen mom and pop repertory theater in Austin, TX. Twenty-eight years later, with 44 locations and counting, Alamo Drafthouse has been called “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best theater in the world” by Wired. Alamo Drafthouse has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining best-in-class food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star-studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse created Fantastic Fest, a world-renowned genre film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety featuring independents, international filmmakers, and major Hollywood studios. Alamo Drafthouse continues to expand its brand in new and exciting ways, including the American Genre Film Archive, a non-profit film archive dedicated to preserving, restoring and sharing film, and with several new theaters announced for this year and beyond.

FF logo black and white 2025

For more Fantastic Fest coverage, click here!

‘THE CRAMPS: A Period Piece’ (Fantastic Fest 2025) Tangible taboo with a horror twist

fantastic Fest 2025 bannerTHE CRAMPS: A Period Piece
Photo 1-Lauren Kitchen In Brooke H. Cellars' THE CRAMPS_ A Period Piece (Credit_ Warped Witch Cinema)

Brooke H. Cellars’ campy new horror comedy THE CRAMPS: A Period Piece comes to Fantastic Fest 2025 to leave audiences in a state of giggling discomfort. The story follows Agnes, a young woman from a strict household who gets a job at the local salon. When her period cramps manifest into monsters, life gets a lot more complicated than a little menstrual conversation.

Agnes navigates her monthly tormentor as she starts a new job as a shampoo girl with big dreams. Defying her weirdly fanatical widowed mother, Agnes goes on her first date, visits a gynecologist, and helps the gals at the shop enter a hair show against their salon nemesis. All while her cramps come to life and wreak havoc on those most deserving.

The Cramps stillThe Hairbrained Salon’s owner is a bawdy broad named Laverne. Martini Bear is one hell of a force, slinging f-bombs on top of the already kitschy, 60s-inspired dialogue. John Waters and Mario Bava are all over this film; think Cry Baby or Hairspray meets Blood and Black Lace. There’s no doubt Teddy is inspired by Grease’s Beauty School Dropout herself, Frenchy, except that in The Cramps, Teddy is a satanist. She (a fabulous Wicken Taylor) and fellow forgetful stylist, Holiday, played by hilarious Michelle Malentina, have the best chemistry. I would watch an entire spinoff about Laverne, Teddy, and Holiday.

Lauren Kitchen gives Agnes an authentic awkwardness and pure heart that we need to fall in love with her. Diving headfirst into this role and trusting Cellars’ vision, Kitchen captures your heart and grosses you out, all while making a cultural point.

Photo 5-Misty Richard and Jared Bankens in Brooke H. Cellars' THE CRAMPS_ A Period Piece (Credit_ Warped Witch Cinema)The costumes, hair, and makeup are spectacular. The vivacious colors and sparkles pop on the 35mm film. The hyper-augmented sound editing will make you cringe. The script cleverly weaves in menstruation shame, medical gaslighting, and consent, while also playing into the adage that a period is a monthly curse. The ending is perfection. THE CRAMPS: A Period Piece has midnight madness cult classic written all over it.


THE CRAMPS: A Period Piece (Warped Witch Cinema) Teaser Trailer:

 

Feature Film
(World Premiere, 89 mins)

Directed by: Brooke H. Cellars
Producers: Brooke H. Cellars, Madeleine Yawn, Wicken Taylor, Michelle Malentina, Levi Porter and Vincent Stalba
Starring: Lauren Kitchen, Brooklyn Woods, Harlie Madison, Martini Bear, Wicken Taylor, Michelle Malentina

A blossoming young woman, Agnes Applewhite (Lauren Kitchen), gets a job as a shampoo girl at a lively beauty salon, which goes against the wishes of her traditional family including her sanctimonious mother and tightly wound sister. As she begins this newfound journey to find her true self, she suffers from debilitating menstrual cramps, which blur the line between reality and nightmare for her and those around her.

Part comedy, part fantastical horror and wholly unforgettable, Brooke H. Cellars’ THE CRAMPS: A Period Piece takes the audience on a mesmerizing trip where John Waters’ irreverence meets the macabre stylings of Mario Bava, all wrapped in the dreamlike allure of Federico Fellini.

Brooke H. Cellars (she/they) is a multifaceted filmmaker. She has directed 8 short films since 2018. Her adoration for all things horror started when she was a kid. Her father was a children’s book writer and starting early on has been writing stories that were always horror themed. Her first screenplay, which she turned into a short film called THE CHILLS, won Best Screenplay at Houston Horror Fest in 2020. Her most recent short film VIOLET BUTTERFIELD: MAKEUP ARTIST FOR THE DEAD has screened in over 30 film festivals worldwide and has won multiple awards including the Abby Normal Award at Portland Horror Fest, the Audience Award at Final Girls Berlin, and both the Jury and Audience awards at Overlook Film Festival.

USA, Feature Film, 35mm, 89 Minutes, Not Rated, 2025

FF logo black and white 2025

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‘THE VILE’ (Fantastic Fest 2025) Greed and trauma manifested.

fantastic Fest 2025 banner THE VILE

The Vile still 2

Fantastic Fest alum Majid Al Ansari brings this year’s audience a terrifying tale in THE VILE. Amani and her impressionable teen daughter, Noor, predominantly exist as a dynamic duo. When her husband shows up after an extended work trip with a second wife in tow, Amani must come to terms with living conditions she never planned for.

Not only is Amani confronted with the fact that Zahra is pregnant, but her husband is quick to return to work, leaving Noor to adapt to her other “mother.” Once alone in the house, Amani battles between supernatural forces and her motherly instincts. She becomes haunted by visions and sounds in the house. When she discovers that Zahra has been a second wife before, she goes searching for answers.

The Vile ZahraZahra asserts herself as a savior in Noor’s life, flattering her, consoling her, and even intimidating her school bullies. But quickly, Zahra pushes boundaries. Noor’s hobby is photography, specifically of dead animals. Zahra talks her into a picture no one should take. While Amani flails to piece the ensuing madness together, Noor falls back on Zahra’s sway. THE VILE comes to a head as a simple birthday celebration brings darkness to the entire family.

Sarah Taibah strikes a beautiful balance between gentle and sinister as Zahra. She makes you so uncomfortable, and I mean that in the best way possible. Iman Tarik is Noor. Her ability to envelop you in her seemingly sheltered existence is fantastic. She shares sharp chemistry with each cast member. Tarik is one to watch.

The Vile still 1Bdoor Mohammad creates a tangible desperation as Amani. You will easily root for her, particularly when it comes to the emotional dynamics between her and her husband. His oppressive hand will likely infuriate the audience, but it is clear Al Ansari did his research. Mohammad captivates at every turn.

Al Ansari masterfully plays with classic tropes to fray the viewers’ senses. The repeated manipulation of darkness is mesmerizing, and genre fans will spot horror homages throughout. The film induces a skincrawling effect, both physically and emotionally. The film tackles gender roles, trauma, greed, and polygamy through a horror lens. We are left with powerhouse final girl scenes worthy of the buildup. THE VILE is a fantastic companion watch for THE SURRENDER. Fantastic Fest 2025 audiences are in for a satisfying and lingering scare.

The Vile Teaser Trailer:



Running Time: 97 Minutes

Countries of Production: UAE, USA

Shooting Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE


Logline: When a man decides to bring home a second wife, the new bride is not the only thing that enters the family house.

Synopsis: Amani is blindsided and heartbroken when her husband, Khalid, brings a second wife into their home. Forced to accept the circumstances and determined to fight for the sake of her daughter, Noor, Amani remains in the house and tries to assert her role as the family’s matriarch. Living with the new bride, Zahra, crushes Amani emotionally and sends her into a downward spiral.

When ominous, seemingly paranormal events begin to overtake the house, Amani launches a frenzied search for answers, leaving Noor fearful for her mother’s sanity. Driven by instinct and terror, Amani becomes increasingly convinced there is something sinister in Zahra’s past—but her desperate quest for the truth threatens to push her further from reality.

The Vile” is based on a story & directed by Majid Al Ansari (“Zinzana”, “The Intruder”, “Paranormal” series), Written by Majid Al Ansari & Johnnie Alward ( “The Matter At Hand”, “Wendigo”, “Something Bad”) Costume Designer Kamal Farajallah (“Canary”, “On Borrowed Time”, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, “Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol” ), Editors Ghalya Lacroix (“Blue is the Warmest Color”, Secret of the Grain”, “Games of Love and Chance”), Hafedh Laridhi (“To My Son”, “Streams”, “Hedi”), Production Designer Benedikt Lange (“Zinzana”, Simon och ekarna”) Director of Photography Benjamin Kirk Nielsen (“Watcher”, “Slut”)Executive Producers Mohamed Hefzy (Aisha Can’t Fly Away”, “Abdo and Saneya” “Voy! Voy! Voy!”, “Hajjan”),Yasir Alyasiri (“Shabob Shayab”, “Murk Light”) ,   Producer Rami Yasinv (“Late Night with the Devil”, “Watcher”) and Produced by Roy Lee(“Weapons”, “The Long Walk”, “Barbarian”) & Steven Schneider (“The Plague”, “Glass”, “Split”, “Insidious”, “Paranormal Activity”).

The Vile” features the talents of international stars Bdoor Mohammed (“La Tuqasus Ru’yak, “Ghassat Ubor”, “Majareeh” “Embers Years”), Sarah Taibah (“Night Courier”, “VHS Tape Replaced”, Fays Palette”), Iman Tarik (“The Vile”), Jassem AlKharraz (“Embers Year”, “Daw Dames”),  Nora Ali (“Camera Ready and Abel”, “Cheddar News”, “Closing Bell”), Saeed AlHarsh (“The Anbush”, “Female Jinn” series)and Samira Al Wahaibi (“Rehlet Daeaa”).

About the Production: Academy-award winning studio Image Nation Abu Dhabi and US-based horror label Spooky Pictures present the latest film under their multi-picture slate partnership. “The Vile” is the first Arabic-language Emirati film in their line-up thus far and is directed by critically acclaimed Emirati genre filmmaker Majid Al Ansari.  The film’s producers are Spooky Pictures’ founders Roy Lee(“Barbarian”), and Steven Schneider (“The Plague”), as well as Image Nation’s Derek Dauchy (“Late Night With The Devil”), and UAE-based producer Rami Yasin(“Watcher”) from Breakout Films.

For more Fantastic Fest coverage, click here!

 

‘SILVER SCREAMERS’ (Fantastic Fest 2025) Seniors make for a scary good time.

Fantastic Fest 2025 PosterSILVER SCREAMERS

SILVER SCREAMERS still

Sean Cisterna brings his effortlessly charming documentary SILVER SCREAMERS to Fantastic Fest 2025. Cisterna introduces a logistically lofty goal to his local community: make a low-budget horror short with a cast and crew of seniors. A group of feisty go-getters learn new tricks, proving age is just a number. It’s a scary good time.

SilverScreamers09This heartwarming doc has some amazing personalities. Audrey is Sound. Her infectious wonder is the epitome of SILVER SCREAMERS. David is Special Effects. With his puppeteering skills, the film’s villain comes alive. Diane is in charge of Makeup. Her theatre background is key to her role. Sonny is the Camera Operator. He is reactivating the dreams of his youth.

Bari-Lynne is the First AD. She discusses the nerves on the first day of shooting. Come to find out, she was on the set of Prom Night in a professional capacity, and she gives us a fantastic behind-the-scenes story about Jamie Lee Curtis. Lucia is the Art Director. The location is Ontario’s historical museum, The Hilary House. Rooms adorned with signs that read, “Please do not touch,” but Lucia couldn’t care less. She is in it for the perfect shot.

SilverScreamers36_The team takes on their jobs with a refreshing enthusiasm. Watching each one tackle their assignments is like a boot camp into the complexities of filmmaking. Editor Lee Walker delivers an incredibly engaging montage of their initial endeavors. The opening credits are integrated into the film’s storyboards. It’s a brilliant device.

Each participant gets an interview package, further reeling the audience into their emotional sphere. The storyboards return as transitional storytelling pieces, alongside personal pictures. The connections made in real-time with our seniors and their professional mentors are pure magic.

SilverScreamers32_SILVER SCREAMERS acts as an advocacy pitch for art therapy at every age. Wait until you hear the ADR session. It’s a riot. The horror homage final scene is the cherry on top. Fantastic Fest audiences are in for a real treat.


The cameras have rolled, the fake blood has flowed, and the retirement community is about to slay the big screen with Silver Screamers, a heartwarming and spine-tingling documentary following a spirited crew of retirees as they swap knitting needles for camera lenses to make their very own horror short – The Rug.

  • Year:
    2025
  • Runtime:
    94 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    Canada
  • Premiere:
    World Premiere

Silver Screamers will have its world premiere in Austin, Texas at Fantastic Fest.

For more on Fantastic Fest, click here!

‘NIGHT OF THE REAPER’ (2025) Shudder Original delivers delicious tropes and twists.

shudder-logo-flatNIGHT OF THE REAPER

NIGHT OF THE REAPER Poster

A college girl returns home for a weekend and is pulled into babysitting the sheriff’s kid. Meanwhile, the sheriff receives haunting messages from old cases. In the small town of Reedy, something evil is brewing. Shudder Original NIGHT OF THE REAPER is genre throwback greatness.

Deena’s night of watching the sweetest little boy in the history of the profession turns into a living nightmare as things get more frightening by the minute. A hooded figure psychologically torments her while simultaneously sending Arnold on a wild goose chase. Every new clue leads to VHS tapes, each more torturous than the last.
NIGHT OF THE REAPER - Still 3Opening credits are fantastic. The production design team covers homes with classic ’80s Halloween decorations, and the repeated VHS static filter is chef’s kiss. Every single slasher trope we’ve come to love is utilized to build that creeping sense of dread. The synth score is fantastic. Homages to franchise favorites are endless. Everything from Poltergeist to Halloween, Max’s outfit looks like it’s straight out of Pet Sematery or a nod to Chucky, and the “Kimble, R” buzzer might just be a reference to Australian director Kimble Rendall.

NIGHT OF THE REAPER - Still 4Casting is delicious. Ben Cockell is outstanding as Chad. Summer H. Howell (Hunter Hunter) sets the scene, while genre regular, the spectacular Keegan Connor Tracy, rounds out the decades of final girl magic. Yes. Yes. Yes. Ryan Robbins gives Sheriff Arnold a down-to-earth quality, whose mournful past becomes the emotional anchor to his frustrations. Robbins is incredible, and I’m glad Christensen gave him such a meaty role. Jessica Clement delivers a nuanced performance as Deena. This is final girl realness. From petrified to powerhouse, Clement gives us her all. It is pure badassery.
NIGHT OF THE REAPER - Still 7Brandon Christensen, alongside his co-writer brother Ryan, understands how to build suspense while giving horror fans the kills they seek. As a fan of SUPERHOST, I am impressed by this narrative shift again and again. Christensen nails the element of surprise, flipping the script on their head when you least expect it. NIGHT OF THE REAPER is another solid addition to Shudder’s stacked catalog.


Night of the Reaper Trailer:

Available on Shudder September 19th
Directed by Brandon Christensen (STILL/BORN, Z, SUPERHOST)

 NIGHT OF THE REAPER Synopsis

In the heart of a quiet, 1980s suburb, college student Deena returns home and reluctantly takes on a last-minute babysitting job. That same night, the local sheriff receives a cryptic package that pulls him into a sinister scavenger hunt that sets off a game of cat and mouse with a dangerous killer. As the clues unravel, Deena finds herself ensnared in a nightmarish mystery that she may not survive.

About the Director

Brandon Christensen is a Canadian film director recognized for his distinctive contributions to the horror genre, focusing on complex familial dynamics, particularly those involving mothers and children. He began his filmmaking journey early in life, making home movies with his siblings, which ignited his passion for storytelling and cinema.

Christensen’s professional career includes notable works such as “Still/Born”, “Z”, and “The Puppetman” – films that explore psychological and supernatural themes against the backdrop of parenting fears. His unique approach often incorporates daytime horror, challenging conventional genre norms to intensify the scare factor, showcasing his knack for crafting compelling narratives from everyday situations.

Director: Brandon Christensen NIGHT OF THE REAPER

Written by: Brandon Christensen and Ryan Christensen

Cast: Jessica Clement, Ryan Robbins, Summer H. Howell, Keegan Connor Tracy, Matty Finochio, Max Christensen, Ben Cockell, David Feehan

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Language: English

Runtime: 93 min

 

For more Shudder coverage, click here!

‘MEADOWLARKS’ (TIFF 50) A meditation on collective grief and healing

tiff-toronto-international-film 2025 posterMEADOWLARKS

meadowlarks_stills_tiff_2.49.2Based in part on her 2017 film BIRTH OF A FAMILY, Tasha Hubbard brings her scripted narrative debut to TIFF 50. MEADOWLARKS stars Michael Greyeyes, Carmen Moore, Alex Rice, and Michelle Thrush as four Cree siblings who were separated by the Sixties Scoop, who are meeting for the first time as adults.
 
Human complexity, set against a stunning backdrop, never overshadows the tragedy in their collective truth. Hubbard dives headfirst into the Scoop’s hideous history, but never shoves our faces in it. Her approach is gentle. For any viewer who somehow has zero knowledge, you’re about to learn the hard way. You will feel compelled to go down a Google search rabbit hole.
 
meadowlarks 2Performances are fantastic. Each character is incredibly nuanced. Four siblings with varying goals for the trip and vastly different personalities. But what links them is far deeper than the ways in which they were raised by white families.
 
Each sibling chooses connection in small ways. Hubbard taps into the unconscious need for space when emotionally overstimulated, and it is awe-inspiring. MEADOWLARKS is an experiment in empathy and grief through shared trauma. The quiet compassion will undoubtedly take you on a journey through sadness and hope.

Director:
Tasha Hubbard is a Cree filmmaker from Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. She is a director and writer, known for Two Worlds Colliding (04), nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up (19), and Singing Back the Buffalo (24). Meadowlarks (25) is her feature debut.

Smiling person wearing Arctic Fox winter hat and headset microphone in black and white portrait

 

 

Cast
Michael Greyeyes
Carmen Moore
Alex Rice
Michelle Thrush
Cinematography
James Klopko
Editing
Simone Smith
Executive Producer
Betty Ann Adam
Producers
Tyler Hagan
Julia Rosenberg
Production Companies
Experimental Forest Films
January Media
Production Designer
Louisa Birkin
Costume Designer
Carmen Thompson
Screenplay
Tasha Hubbard
Emil Sher
Sound
Coby DeGroot
Original Score
Todor Kobakov
Publicist
Star PR
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media

Tiff 50 logoFor more TIFF coverage, click here!

TIFF 50 is here and it’s bigger and better than ever.

TIFF 50

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This year’s lineup is on fire. Outside the hotly anticipated Colin Hank’s doc, John Candy: I Like Me, and Rian Johnson’s latest, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, here are 5 films we’re keeping our eyes on in the festival’s 50th year!

 

  • Honorary Chair and Award Winners: Actor Brendan Fraser is this year’s Honorary Chair. Other award winners include Idris Elba, Jodie Foster, Guillermo del Toro, and Channing Tatum.
  • The 50th Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will run September 4–14, 2025. Celebrate with the best of Canadian and global cinema, special events and talks with stars, plus TIFF’s Industry Conference. TIFF 50

DUST BUNNY

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SYNOPSIS: In visionary creator Bryan Fuller’s (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies) fantastical and wickedly inventive feature directorial debut DUST BUNNY, a 10 year-old girl who joins forces with her hitman neighbor to confront each other’s monsters.

Ten year-old Aurora has a mysterious neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) who kills real-life monsters; he’s a hitman for hire. So when Aurora needs help killing the monster that she believes ate her entire family, she procures his services. Suspecting that Aurora’s parents may have fallen victim to assassins gunning for him, the neighbor guiltily takes the job. To protect her, he’ll need to battle an onslaught of assassins and accept that some monsters are real.



IN THEATERS: December 5, 2025

DIRECTOR: Bryan Fuller

WRITER: Bryan Fuller

CAST: Mads Mikkelsen, Sigourney Weaver, David Dastmalchian, Sophie Slone

RUN TIME: 106 minutes TIFF 50


CAROLINA CAROLINE

Carolina-Caroline

In his latest slice of anarchic Americana, writer-director Adam Carter Rehmeier first introduces us to the always effervescent Samara Weaving (Guns Akimbo, TIFF ’19) as Caroline. Listless and living a small life in a small town, she dutifully cares for her single father (Jon Gries) though she longs to break from her dusty and dull world. But when she observes a handsome drifter (Kyle Gallner) pull a sly con for a few bucks, her curiosity sparks an introduction that ignites an apprenticeship. Before long, their lucrative, if untenable, criminal enterprise dovetails into a passionate romance.

DIRECTOR:  Adam Carter Rehmeier
 
WRITER: Tom Dean
 
CAST: Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Kyra Sedgwick, Jon Gries
 
RUNTIME: 105m TIFF 50
 

CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’
California_schemin
 
Actor James McAvoy makes his directorial debut with this irresistible, feel-good underdog tale about two Scottish men pretending to be Americans to achieve their dreams of hip-hop stardom. It’s based on a true story that’s stranger than fiction.
 
DIRECTOR:  James McAvoy
 
CAST: Séamus McLean Ross, Samuel Bottomley, Lucy Halliday, Rebekah Murrell, James McAvoy
 
WRITERS: Archie Thomson, Elaine Gracie
 
RUNTIME: 107m TIFF 50

 


LILITH FAIR: Building a Mystery
Lilith Fair_ Building a Mystery - [tiff.net]

This galvanizing documentary from director Ally Pankiw (I Used To Be Funny) takes us behind the scenes of Sarah McLachlan’s legendary all-women music festival and features interviews with performers including Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Olivia Rodrigo, and Emmylou Harris.

DIRECTOR:  Ally Pankiw
 
FEATURING: Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Paula Cole, Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls, Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Olivia Rodrigo
 
RUNTIME: 99 Mins TIFF 50

 


TUNER

Tuner (2025)

A talented piano tuner’s meticulous skills for tuning pianos lead him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.

DIRECTOR: Daniel Roher
 
WRITERS: Robert Ramsey, Daniel Roher
 
CAST: Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz, Tovah Feldshuh, Jean Reno TIFF 50
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For TIFF coverage from years past, click here!

TIFF 50

 

 

‘SOMNIUM’ (2025) Where dreams coming true is a double entendre.

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SOMNIUM

SOMNIUM poster

Aspiring actress Gemma leaves behind her small town and moves to LA. Upon discovering the harsh reality of pounding the pavement in Hollywood, from failed auditions to a dwindling bank account, Gemma desperately takes a position at a dream studies lab, Somnium. After accidentally meeting a producer, things are looking up. Until her graveyard shift, severe lack of sleep, and the discovery of questionable lab practices, cause her new life to shift into a waking nightmare.  Read More →

‘GRIFFIN IN SUMMER’ (2025) Hilarious as it is heartfelt.

GRIFFIN IN SUMMER

GRIFFIN IN SUMMER - Poster

Filmmaker Nicolas Colia‘s irresistibly funny, semi-autobiographical coming-of-age GRIFFIN IN SUMMER is finally in theaters tomorrow. This massive hit from Tribeca 2025 sets the tone in its opening scene. We find our titular character at a Talent Show. While other kids sing off-key duets, the ambitious and undeniably talented 14-year-old Griffin performs a scene from his latest play, acting out both roles, of course. It is more Tennessee Williams than child’s play. Griffin is in another strosphere.

GRIFFIN IN SUMMER - 2As he prepares to self-fund his hefty two-act drama with his theatre “besties,” Griffin’s theatrical passion is further fueled by a tumultuous homelife. Colia delivers a truly tangible script. Griffin’s mom seems overwhelmed with her go-getter and rather demanding son, but under the surface, something else is simmering. She hires a neighbor’s son to help with yard cleanup. What begins as an annoyance to Griffin transforms into a sexual awakening, a test of relationships, and a piece of art that mirrors his unresolved trauma.

Kathryn Newton, once again, gives us a quirky, memorable character as Brad’s girlfriend. Abby Ryder Fortson is a gem as Griffin’s director friend, Kara. Melanie Lynskey elevates every single project she works on. Playing Helen, she has more depth than at first glance. She can do no wrong in my book.

Griffin in summer 1Owen Teague plays Brad with an initial aloofness that perfectly contrasts Griffin’s overzealous nature. As Teague taps into Brad’s motivation, *no pun intended,* the performance captivates in an entirely unexpected way. Everett Blunck is a star. His portrayal of Griffin feels like a documentary rather than a performance. It is one well beyond his years. He exudes fierce confidence that is infectious. Teague and Blunck have magnetic chemistry. Colia skillfully creates a subtle doppleganger effect between the two. It is an incredibly nuanced balance of characterization and performance.

Griffin is every tenacious theatre kid *cough, cough* who has a creative drive that is their lifesblood. When I was Griffin’s age, a teacher asked me why I liked theatre. Before I could answer, she suggested it is because it’s easier to put on a mask of a character. First, I was insulted. As a neurodivergent adult whose entire existence revolves around creation, art, and performance, she wasn’t wrong.

griffin in summer 3Colia cleverly speaks to art as catharsis, the plight of a tortured artist, and the meaning of authentic friendship. Existing between childhood and adulthood is wrought with emotional chaos, impossible questions, self-loathing, fear, and awkwardness. GRIFFIN IN SUMMER playfully touches on each of these with unfiltered heart and humor.

GRIFFIN IN SUMMER trailer:

Opening In Theaters August 29th

Written & Directed by: Nicholas Colia Griffin in summer



Starring:

Everett Blunck (marking his feature film debut)

Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)

Owen Teague (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes)

Abby Ryder Fortson (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret)

Kathryn Newton (Lisa Frankenstein)



Produced by: Juliet Berman, Bobby Hoppey, Camila Mendes, Rachel Matthews, Matthew Miller

Executive Produced by: Fred Bryant, Cullen Conly, Alex Tynion



Griffin Nafly (Everett Blunck) is the most ambitious playwright of his generation. He’s also fourteen years old and living with his parents in a humdrum suburb while dreaming of moving to New York City. When his mom (Melanie Lynskey) hires a handsome 25-year-old handyman (Owen Teague), Griffin’s life and his new play take an inspired turn. Also starring Kathryn Newton and Abby Ryder Fortson. Griffin in Summer



RT: 93 minutes

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‘PSYCHE’ (Popcorn Fright 2025) A stunning spiral in limbo.

Pohttps://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/decision-tree/pcorn frights 2025-festival-bannermain-imagePSYCHE

Psyche

Stephon Stewart brings his sci-fi horror mashup, PSYCHE, to Popcorn Frights 2025. The film finds Mara awakening in a mysterious wasteland alongside an 80s computer, named Pi, persuading her to complete six levels of gameplay.

Pi acts as both guide and companion. As Mara stumbles from one mysterious level to the next, the computer program fights with itself, sending several new voices to counter Pi’s words. Can Mara persist in this seemingly unknown?

Editor Gibran Lozano provides the distinct computer voices. They range from adorable to menacing. Bravo. Sarah Ritter is charming, determined, and understandably hotheaded considering the infuriating and fickle interactions with the computer. She has a presence ripe for genre queendom.

The film’s visuals are mesmerizing. Stewart’s uses black and white negative landscape and mindbending limbo images in Mara’s journey. The sets resemble the remnants of tornado-ravaged areas, arid badlands, and a post-apocalyptic shoreline, all seamlessly intertwined. DP Aitor Uribarri does unforgettable work with the camera. Tom Hawk‘s score is haunting. It has an epic feeling akin to 80s fantasy classics. The script is incredibly complex. The entire filmmaking team should be proud.

The evolution of the game is a pathway to trauma release for Mara. Pi triggers memory fragments, guilt, anger, and suicidal ideation.
PSYCHE is an experimental therapy session that will undoubtedly strike a nerve for viewers. It is unique and yet entirely timeless. PSYCHE is a must-see.


YEAR: 2024

COUNTRY: USA

RUNTIME: 71 mins

DIRECTOR: Stephon Stewart

WRITER: Stephon Stewart

STARRING: Sarah Ritter, Eva Ariel Binder, Rodrigo Varandas

For all things Popcorn Frights, click here!

‘THE UNDERTONE’ (Fantasia 2025) A hair-raising nightmare reaching beyond the veil

Fantasia 2025 posterTHE UNDERTONE

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Established sci-fi author Ian Tuason brings his chilling directorial debut to Fantasia 2025 audiences. The film follows Evy, a full-time carer for her ailing mother and part-time spooky podcaster. Alongside her co-host Justin, Evy is the skeptic in the pair, searching for logic in the strange and unusual. THE UNDERTONE has arrived to f*ck you up.

They receive an anonymous email with 10 audio files attached and decide to listen to them as they record. They feature a couple named Mike and Jessa, and the seemingly incoherent overnight ramblings of the latter. They are undeniably creepy, each one more unsettling than the next, and the physical and emotional toll on Evy is palpable, while she tries to keep a calm head. Even Justin starts losing his shit. Tuason weaves musical folklore into the conversation, with both Evy and Justin looking up information in real-time.

Despite living on opposite coasts, Justin and Evy have a trusting relationship. Tuason provides enough information to suggest he knows her very well. Their podcast, also titled The Undertone, feels like a collaborative effort with a clever premise. They even have open phone lines for listeners to call in. All of this built-up chaos happens as Evy’s mother is on her deathbed upstairs. There is an inkling of unresolved trauma that perhaps mirrors the tapes, Evy’s childhood, and her current state of mental wellness.

Kris Holden-Ried‘s voice is a nostalgic earworm. I loved him in THE RETURNED. His tone is eerily similar to radio legend Shadoe Stevens. It is alarming and brilliant. His ability to be the perfect foil for Evy is mindblowing. Bravo. Nina Kiri is spectacular. Almost the entirety of the film is visually a one-woman show for Kiri. She easily compels you to root for her with a naunced mix of sadness, exhaustion, and defiance.

the undertoneEvy sits in front of a blurred open doorway as she listens. This trope alone keeps your heart in your throat. Graham Beasley‘s overall framing is jarring as hell. Darkness plays an important role. Beasley rarely places Evy in the center of the frame and uses odd angles and stationary camera pans to keep you off balance in every way. It almost suggests the camera is haunted.

Like darkened doorways, mirrors, and religious iconography all figure prominently. Evy and Justin even record at the universal witching hour of 3 am. Then you have a “child’s” bizarre crayon drawings. Tuason has turned innumerable genre tropes into a horror triumph.

Not even 9 minutes into the runtime, and I noticed I was digging my nails into my palm. For as much horror as I consume, I was not ready for THE UNDERTONE. I cringed, forced myself not to cover my eyes, even though I desperately wanted to. The finale visibly raised the hair on my arms.

The sound editing is masterfully immersive. I am convinced that watching the film on a laptop with headphones on, similarly to Eny, makes THE UNDERTONE even more terrifying. I’m unsure how the theatre experience matches up. I made the same recommendation in 2020 for a proper viewing experience of HOST. I can only imagine that the meticulous sound team makes the appropriate adjustments.

THE UNDERTONE earns its jumpscares and heart-racing tingles, even when I watched in the daylight. There is no denying the atmospheric similarities to Skinamarink, but Tuason gives us a much more defined story. Regardless of how you choose to view it, Tuason delivers a film that is complex and next-level scary.


Director: Ian Tuason

Executive Producer: Al Akdari, Chad Archibald, Charlie Bern, Anthony Eu, Daril Fannin, Douglas Lee, Brit MacRae, David Sproat, Matthew Sterling

Producer: Cody Calahan, Dan Slater

Writer: Ian Tuason

Cast: Michele Duquet, Nina Kiri, Keana Lyn-Bastidas, Jeff Yung

Cinematographer: Graham Beasley

Composer: Shanika Maria

Editor: Sonny Atkins

Production Designer: Mercedes Coyle

Fantasia 25 bw logoFor all things Fantasia, click here!

‘ANYTHING THAT MOVES’ (Fantasia 2025) Sex and serial killers in Alex Phillips Fantasia feature follow-up

Fantasia 2025 posterANYTHING THAT MOVES

ANYTHING THAT MOVES

Filmmaker Alex Phillips (All Jacked Up and Full of Worms) brings another entirely weird and one-of-a-kind film to Fantasia 2025 with ANYTHING THAT MOVES. The film follows Liam and his girlfriend, who are snack delivery sex workers. When their clients end up murdered, two detectives try to pin the gory violence on them.

Anything that Moves 1Don’t get ahead of yourself in viewing. ANYTHING THAT MOVES is far more than a high-concept soft porn. I mean, it is also that. The cast fearlessly embraces full frontal nudity, which is incredibly rare for male actors, but more importantly, it honors kink. Audiences will not expect the hidden trauma. Phillips also addresses the demoralization of sex workers.

Hal Baum is amazing. He exudes confidence, even in the most vulnerable scenarios. My eyes will be on whatever he does next.

Anything that Moves 3Shot in Super 16mm, its gritty look completes the homage to 1970s adult films. The Joshua Rains‘s artwork is diabolically genius. The bright spotlight device that denotes an orgasm is brilliant. Casting Nina Hartley and Ginger Lynn Allen was a superior move, as the two essentially served as the film’s intimacy coordinators. By the way, can we acknowledge the importance of that role on a set? I am thrilled we’re adding a Stunt category to next year’s awards season, but Intimacy Coordination is also an art.

Phillips’ stylistic calling card always sparks conversation when the screen goes black. Will some viewers be offended? Maybe. Will you cringe? Guaranteed. But you’ll all be talking about the film, and that’s the point.


SCREENINGS: ANYTHING THAT MOVES

World Premiere: Fri July 25, 9:30pm, Salle J.A. De Seve 

Tue July 29, 11:45am, Salle J.A. De Seve 

***

Written and Directed By: Alex Phillips

Introducing: Hal Baum, Jeremy Everett, Andrea Huber, Maxton Koc, Jiana Nicole, Jade Perry and Cooper Whittlesey

Featuring: Ginger Lynn Allen, Trevor Dawkins, Jack Dunphy, Paul Gordon, Nina Hartley and Frank V. Ross

Music By: Cue Shop

Edited By: Alex Phillips and Troy Lewis

Cinematography By: Hunter Zimny

Produced By: Georgia Bernstein, Liane Cunje and Spencer Parsons

Executive Produced By: Joe Rubin, Ryan Emerson, Ralph Stevens, Ian Stone, Eddie Linker, Stephen Lanus and Amar Gupta

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‘LUCID’ (Fantasia 2025) A short gets a long, dizzying, drug-fueled feature.

Fantasia 2025 posterLUCIDLucid Poster

Directors Deanna Milligan and Ramsey Fendall‘s 2022 short film LUCID gets the feature treatment, and Fanatsia 2025 audiences are its first test subjects. The film follows Mia, a misunderstood art student who delivers more performance art than quality visual art. She’s stressed and overly dramatic, but that’s pretty much a requirement for us artsy folk. At risk of being ousted from her program, Mia turns to a lucid dream elixer to inspire her work.

Lucid 3The consequences of going down that rabbit hole, sometimes literally, are a barrage of repressed childhood memories and the instability of her mother’s treatment. Mia’s trips reveal a trauma monster, more specifically, one made of mom’s blond locks. This hair monster torments Mia throughout her jacked-up journey.

Determining between trip and reality becomes increasingly dizzying, but filmmakers utilize 35mm and 16mm film to keep it gritty and keep you guessing. If I have one complaint, the runtime could use a trim, but the soundtrack is life.

LUCID 2Caitlin Acken Taylor is everything. Mia Sunshine Jones is no easy role, but Taylor lives it. She even creates Mia’s paintings and sculptures. Her fourth wall break, and the precise moment at which it occurs, is jarring and genius. 

If Jennifer Kent and Alice Maio Mackay had a movie baby, it might look something like LUCID. The entire film feels like a 90s music video, or a punk version of Jacob’s Ladder. LUCID is an exploration of generational trauma through art and original music. It won’t be for everyone, but there is undeniable confidence in style.

LUCID Teaser Trailer:

After coming to Fantasia as a short film selected for the Frontierés Market Shorts to Features Lab in 2022 and Sitges Fanpitch that same year, directing duo Deanna Milligan and Ramsey Fendall expand the world of Mia Sunshine Jones in their darkly trippy feature, LUCID. Mia is a rebellious art student who struggles to create the ultimate project for a demanding professor. Desperate to find her artistic voice, she takes Lucid, a candy elixir, to access her creativity, but taps into something much darker. Starring Caitlin Acken Taylor, who reprises her role from the short, and Georgia Acken (star of the 2023 Fantasia hit THE SACRIFICE GAME), Milligan and Fendall create a surreal nightmare with a vintage look that fully embraces the 90s grunge era with a punk art aesthetic. Using live on-set music, an eclectic cast, and loads of experimental and haunting visuals, the World Premiere of LUCID will be a nightmare-come-true. 

Team: The film is co-written and directed by actor turned filmmaker Deanna Milligan (21 Jump Street, The X-Files) and cinematographer turned director/writer Ramsey Fendall (Ethan Hawke’s Seymour: An Introduction).

Cast: Caitlin Acken Taylor (Pistol) and Georgia Acken (Under the Bridge, The Sacrifice Game), Vivian Vanderpuss from RuPaul’s Drag Race is in the film and also designed the Hair Monster and Ayla Tesler Mabe one of the Goth Girls a is a real life guitar god! She has been featured in Rolling Stone and formerly part of the band Calpurnia with Finn Wolfhard.

Soundtrack features: Marta Jaciubek McKeever (Fan Death), James Wollam (Tears for Fears), Ayla Tesler Mabe (Calpurnia). Recording sessions were hosted at James Wollam’s Salt Spring Island studio. Wollam also co-wrote “If You Love Me”, a recurring folk-rock theme woven through the film as a relic of the fictional 1970s band Sweetbird, tied to the protagonist’s family mythology. 

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