Fantasia Festival is easily one of the biggest festivals in the world of horror and science fiction. Every year we’ve been blessed to cover it, we’ve found some truly great independent films we wouldn’t have found otherwise: films like A Disturbance in the Force, the gripping Satan Wants You, the charming Pompo the Cinephile, and the haunting We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. Fantasia has been one of our favorite festivals to cover for this publication. Here are six films that we are most looking forward to this year:

[Josh]

Fish Out of Town: 

It might be kind of weird to list one of my anticipated films as a short film but hear me out. Last year, I came across a short film from a young director named Sofia Garza-Barba. The film in question was a beautiful short film about a young man coming to grips with his sexuality and was called Peccadillo. It found its way within the top 3 short films of last year’s GenreBlast and continues to be a recommendation I have to my cinephile friends. Fish Out of Town is her follow up to Peccadillo. The film is a science fiction family film, both genres are typically out of my comfort zone, but I honestly can’t wait to see what Garza-Barba does next as a filmmaker. 

Hollywood 90028:

The great thing about the medium of film is that ultimately what has been lost can be found. Hollywood 90028 originally came out in 1974 and, thanks to Fantasia, the film is not only getting a restoration but also entering the consciousness of a new generation. Hollywood comes at the early boom of the slashers, back when I would dare say we didn’t even know what to call it or the greatness that filmmakers had on their hands. Will Hollywood 90028 stand against the impeccable legacy of Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Black Christmas? Only time will tell.

[Mark]

Witchboard:

Being a long time fan of horror, the original 80s Witchboard was a fun cheesefest. I am looking forward to the long talked about remake. Some of the recent remakes over the last few years show some promise, with Evil Dead being one of the best. Hopefully they follow suit to make a good follow up in modern times.

Shelby Oaks:

Paranormal flicks and ghost hunting  doc/mock-umentaries are my wheelhouse. When a movie makes the list that involves someone tracing their ghost hunting siblings' disappearance, who am I to not jump at the chance to see it? It checks all the boxes. Now is it going to be just another movie of everything that has already been done or are they going to pull off something new or at least engaging. - that remains to be seen. I am going to find out one way or another.

[Billy]

The Beast Within:

As a fan of sci-fi and horror, the preview hints at a curse of a werewolf. If done right with the setup that has been shown, the movie could be captivating and intense. Is this going to be just another werewolf movie or will this stand out? That's what makes me want to see this movie. 

Wake Up:

Still in the horror genre. This movie advertises as a flick about teens/young adults fighting against animal cruelty. When they hide in a store to protest, they get more than they asked for. Is this going to be a movie where everything was shown in the trailer and falls off, or will there be unsuspecting surprises? We shall see.

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