Film festivals are a little different this year. If they haven’t been outright canceled, then they’ve moved to virtual platforms. This may be disorienting, but it’s the best and safest way to get the festival experience in the era of COVID-19. And we’re grateful for all of the festivals taking the plunge into digital spaces to bring us entertainment in such a fraught and frightening time.
That’s why we’re extra excited for Fantastic Fest this year. The Austin, Texas-based festival has gone digital for 2020 and is going under the banner Celebration of Fantastic Fest. It’ll be a celebration of everything we love about the fest, from events like Fantastic Feud to repertory screenings to world premieres of genre cinema and more!
Nerdist will be on-hand to cover this year’s Fantastic Fest and we can’t wait to dig into everything the fest has to offer. Here’s a list of every feature film playing at the festival this year so you can get pumped about coverage or plan your own schedule for the festival. If you’re interested in the latter, head to the Fantastic Fest website to learn more about how to virtually attend this year’s event.
(Note: Because Nerdist is not based in Austin, we will not be attending any of the live screenings.)
Fantastic Fest
Secret Screening
World Premiere of the 4K Restoration
“A special re-discovery of an explosive, death-defying, bullet-riddled, grenade-launching, flame-broiled, anti-human megattack. Free to view during the live secret screening and available for Virtual Cinema rental on Alamo On Demand afterwards.”
Bloodthirsty
Canada, 2020
World Premiere, 82 min
Director: Amelia Moses
“When indie singer Grey struggles to write her sophomore album, she teams up with a mysterious producer at his secluded cabin. Though their bond strengthens her music, it also starts to irreparably alter Grey’s body and mind.”
The Boy Behind the Door
USA, 2020
World Premiere, 88 min
Directors: David Charbonier & Justin Powell
“After Bobby and his best friend Kevin are kidnapped and taken to a strange house in the middle of nowhere, Bobby manages to escape. But as he starts to make a break for it, he hears Kevin’s screams for help and realizes he can’t leave his friend behind.”
Blue Underground
Daughters of Darkness
Belgium/France/West Germany, 1971
World Premiere of the 4K Restoration from Blue Underground, 87 min
Director: Harry Kümel
“The classic lesbian vampire tale reignites the screen as the lives of a young newlywed couple take a dramatically sexy turn after their paths cross with Elizabeth Báthory in a deserted Belgian hotel.
Special Event: An interview with director Harry Kümel, moderated by Kat Ellinger.”
Girl
USA, 2020
US Premiere, 92 min
Director: Chad Faust
“When Girl (Bella Thorne) sets out to a no-name small town to track down her deadbeat father, she finds herself wrapped up in a situation far more dangerous and twisted than she expected.”
How to Deter a Robber
USA, 2020
World Premiere, 81 min
Director: Maria Bissell
“Two teens playing amateur detectives get more than they bargained for when they investigate the wrong cabin in this darkly comedic romp.”
La Boîte à Fanny
Laughter
Canada, 2020
International Premiere, 124 min
Director: Martin Laroche
“Léane Labrèche-Dor gives an unforgettable performance as a woman who struggles with survivor guilt following a civil war in Quebec.”
The Old Man Movie
Estonia, 2019
US Premiere, 87 min
Directors: Mikk Mägi & Oskar Lehemaa
“Three children must aid their deranged grandfather in recovering his prized cow to prevent a rural cataclysm in this surreal and hysterically scatalogical stop-motion comedy.”
Neon
Possessor
UK, Canada 2020
Texas Premiere, 103 min
Director: Brandon Cronenberg
“In Brandon Cronenberg’s latest gore soaked sci-fi thriller, identity theft takes on a new meaning as corporate assassins can virtually take over other people to carry out their kills.
Special Event: Join us before our official celebration for a special in-theater premiere September 24th.”
The Queen of Black Magic
Indonesia, 2019
North American Premiere, 99 min
Director: Kimo Stamboel
“Childhood friends Hanif, Jefri, and Anton take their families on a trip to the orphanage where they grew up to pay their final respects to the man who raised them. But they’ll soon discover that the secrets from their past refuse to stay buried.”
The Stylist
USA, 2020
World Premiere, 105 min
Director: Jill Gevargizian
“Few things in life hold more promise than a new hairstyle. But the women who visit stylist Claire’s chair get more than they bargained for, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “extreme makeover” in Jill Gevargizian’s first feature film, based on her acclaimed 2016 short.”
Studio Green
Teddy
France, 2020
International Premiere, 88 min
Directors: Ludovic Boukherma & Zoran Boukherma
“In a rural French town, twenty-something Teddy is scratched by an unknown beast and slowly undergoes frightening changes.”
AGFA presents Triple Fisher: The Lethal Lolitas of Long Island
USA, 2012
Austin Premiere of HD Restoration
Director: Dan Kapelovitz
“Drew Barrymore, Alyssa Milano, and Noelle Parker are Amy Fisher in this meta-melodramatic mashup of three TV movies that would make Brian De Palma proud.”
The Wolf of Snow Hollow
USA, 2020
Texas Premiere, 84 min
Director: Jim Cummings
“A small mountain town full of quirky characters is thrown into chaos when dead bodies start piling up after every full moon in Jim Cummings’ supremely fun foray into horror.
Special Event: Join us after our official celebration for a special in-theater premiere, October 8th at Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane.”
In addition to these screenings, Fantastic Fest 2020 also boasts an impressive shorts lineup, several virtual parties and events, immersive showcases and more. Head over to the Fantastic Fest website to learn more and join us for coverage beginning this September 24!
Featured Image: Neon