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Fantastic Fest 2025 Announces Awards!

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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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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‘THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE’ (Fantastic Fest 2025) Satire, Politics, and Metaphors. Oh My!

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THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE (A árvore do Conhecimento)

The Tree Of Knowledge (Credit_ MoreThan Films)

Eugène Green‘s absurdist film THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE comes to Fantastic Fest 2025. Presented in three parts. The first piece finds Gaspar leaving his home for a more exciting life in Lisbon, only to be kidnapped by a man named Ogre. Ogre made a deal with the devil in exchange for the ability to turn tourists into animals and sell their meat for profit. Yes, you read all those words correctly. When Ogre discovers the public’s suspicions, Gaspar runs away with the donkey, Helena, and dog, Frederico, whom he has grown fond of. Still with me?

The Tree Of Knowledge still 2(Credit_ MoreThan Films)Parts Two & Three: now wandering the land, the animals in tow, Gaspar’s existential crisis continues as he meets spirits, resides in a manor, converses with religious icons, all while Ogre and his minion pursue him. The film is A LOT. Green continues his signature style with static cameras capturing 4th wall-breaking deadpan delivery. Honestly, it will either be a winner for audiences or a total miss. The complexity of satire is laugh-out-loud funny, but outside intellectual circles, it might be a tough pill to swallow.

I have to give the cast props for their commitment to Green’s writing. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE has an overall visual that is sharp and lush. If you can stick with the pacing and tongue-in-cheek satire, this is a rare gem. FF 2025 is the right place for its World Premiere.


Feature Film (Portugal/France)
(World Premiere, 2025, 100 mins, In Portuguese with English subtitles)
(Dark Comedy/ Fantasy)

Directed by: Eugène Green
Producers: Luís Urbano, Sandro Aguilar and Julien Naveau.
Starring: Rui Pedro Silva, Ana Moreira, Diogo Dória, João Arrais.

FF 2025 OFFICIAL SCREENINGS

Location: Alamo Drafthouse Lamar
Address: 1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Thu, Sep 18th, 8:45 PM @ Theater 1
Thu, Sep 18th, 8:45 PM @ Theater 3
Tue, Sep 23rd, 6:00 PM @ Theater 8

In biblical terms, the “Tree of Knowledge” symbolizes the beginning of free will and the ability to tell right from wrong. For filmmaker Eugène Green, THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE is also a metaphor for a spiritual awakening, a catalyst for internal renewal in the context of a widespread mass tourism boom in Europe.

Gaspard (Rui Pedro Silva), a teenager from the suburbs of Lisbon, falls into the hands of the Ogre, a man who has made a pact with the Devil. The Ogre uses the boy to attract tourists, whom he transforms into animals and then kills. Gaspard escapes with a donkey and a dog that he has grown fond of, and in an enchanted manor, he meets the spirit of Queen D. Maria I of Portugal. Meanwhile, enraged, the Ogre sets off in pursuit. THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE

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