List of Fantastic Fest editions


Breakdown of Fantastic Fest editions by year, with premieres, awards and nominees.

2005

The 2005 festival was only three days long, October 6–9. Screened films included Feast, Wolf Creek, and Zathura. The official sponsors of the 2005 festival were Milkshake Media, KOOP Radio, The Austin Chronicle, Jackson Walker LLP, and Independence Brewery.
U.S. premieresHakugei: Legend of the Moby Dick
Texas premieresThe Big WhiteThe BirthdayCreepThe Dark HoursG.O.R.A.MalefiqueMarebitoNight of the Living DorksPPulseStringsThe Wild Blue Yonder

Special screenings

Retrospective screenings

The theme of the 2005 retrospective series was "Post Apocalyptic Cinema".The Last WaveMiracle MileNo Blade of Grass

Special events

The special effects team from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe installed a display of costumes, creatures and props from the Narnia film. Legendary makeup and effects supervisor Howard Berger presided over a special effects Q&A.

2006

The 2006 festival was expanded to 8 days and held September 21–28.
World premiereRoman with Q&A by director Angela Bettis and star Lucky McKee
U.S. premieresGamerzIsolationLie Still with Q&A by director Sean HoganThe Living and the Dead with Q&A by director Simon RumleyThe WoodsBlood TrailsBrokenThe HostRed StringFrank and WendyBug with Q&A by star Michael ShannonThe Hamster Cage with Q&A by director Larry KentVenus Drowning
Texas premieresAbominableThe Beach Party at the Threshold of HellThe District!FireflyFrostbiteThe Glamorous Life of Sachiko HanaiHatchet with Q&A by director Adam GreenInside with Q&A by director Jeff MahlerThe Last SupperFunky Forest (aka Naisu No Mori)NightmareOrigin: Spirits of the PastThe Piano Tuner of EarthquakesPuzzleheadA Quiet LoveRenaissanceSeveranceShinobi: Heart Under BladeShivaSimon Says with Q&A with star Crispin GloverStarfish HotelUnrestWilderness
  • ''Zhest''

Special screenings

Retrospective screenings

There were three retrospective series. The first paid homage to cult midnight films and included:Parasite 3-DNorthville Cemetery MassacreThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Q&A by star Edwin Neal A Nightmare on Elm StreetFantastic Planet presented by Darren Aronofsky
The second was presented by cult author Jack Stevenson and included:
And the third was a retrospective of the action/crime films of director Ram Gopal Varma, featuring:Ab Tak ChhappanCompanyEk Hasina Thi
There was also Meltdown Memoirs, a documentary about the making of Street Trash, which also played.

Award winners

Horror Jury Awards, for excellence in the horror genre
Serving on the horror jury were Jay Slater of FilmThreat.com, Edwin Neal of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Peter Martin of Twitch.com, and Chris Cargill of AintItCoolNews.com.
Short Film Jury Awards
  • Best of Show – The Listening Dead
  • Best Short-Form – Cost of Living
  • Best Long-Form – Rogairi
  • Best Animated – If I Had a Hammer
  • Best Comedy – They're Made Out of Meat
Serving on the Short Film Jury were Brian Satterwhite, Jay Knowles and Chris Cargill, all of AintItcoolNews.com.
Fantastic Fest Jury Awards, for excellence in films outside the horror genre
  • Best Film — The Living and the Dead
  • Best Director — Simon Rumley for The Living and the Dead
  • Best Script — Larry Kent and Daniel Williams for The Hamster Cage
  • Best Actor — Leo Bill from The Living and the Dead
  • Best Actress — Jodie Jameson from Venus Drowning
  • Best Supporting Actor — Alan Scarfe from The Hamster Cage
  • Best Supporting Actress — Kate Fahy from The Living and the Dead
  • Best Art Direction — Starfish Hotel
  • Best Cinematography — A Quiet Love
  • Best Special Effects — Puzzlehead
  • Best Makeup — The Living and the Dead
  • Special Jury Mention — Blood Tea and Red String
Serving on the Fantastic Fest Jury Awards were Christian Hallman of the Lund International Fantastic Film Festival, Wiley Wiggins of Dazed and Confused and Waking Life, and Scott Weinberg of Fearnet and Cinematical.com.
Audience Awards

Highlights

  • A notable highlight for the audience occurred when Mel Gibson walked into the theater.
  • Closing night party was Undead Till Dawn, a vampire-themed dance party
  • There was a special screening timed with the release of 42nd STREET FOREVER VOLUME 5: ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE EDITION where every trailer was shown in 35mm

2007

The 2007 festival was held September 20–27. In 2007, Fantastic Fest became a supporting member of the Melies European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals and helped to found the North American Fantastic Festival Alliance, along with Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal and Dead Channels in San Francisco. The official sponsors of the 2007 Fantastic Fest were AMD, Stella Artois, AT&T, Twitch.com, B-Side, Rue Morgue, Fangoria, and Mondo Macabro.
World premieresThere Will Be Blood, with a Q&A by director Paul Thomas AndersonLos Cronocrímenes, with director Nacho Vigalondo in attendance
U.S. premieresAloneThe BackwoodsThe Devil's ChairDiary of the Dead with Q&A by director George A. RomeroFlash PointHell's Fever
Texas premieresAachi & SsipakThe Beautiful BeastBlood, Boobs, and BeastDeath NoteDeath Note 2: The Last NameDevil's Helper: The Folk Art Films of Phil ChamblissA Dirty CarnivalDog Bite DogEnd of The LineThe EntranceExte: Hair ExtensionsThe FerrymanFinishing the GameFive Across The EyesFlight of the Living DeadThe Girl Next DoorThe Girl Who Leapt Through TimeHell's GroundKiltro with Q&A by director Ernesto Díaz Espinoza and star Marco ZarorThe Last WinterMoebius Redux: A Life In Pictures with Q&A by director Hasko BaumannNever Belongs To MeOffscreenPostal with Q&A by director Uwe Boll and actor Zack WardPrincessRetributionSex and Death 101Son of RambowSpiralThe Sword BearerTaxidermiaUncle's Paradise Weirdsville
  • ''Wicked Flowers''

Special screenings

Southland Tales, the world premiere of the final version after heavy edits, with Q&A by director Richard KellyPersepolisDai Nipponjin El Orfanto , with Q&A by director Juan Antonio Bayona

Retrospective screenings

The Nikkatsu action series featured films mainly never before shown theatrically in the U.S.:Velvet HustlerThe Warped OnesA Colt Is My Passport

Award winners

AMD Next Wave Award, for excellence by an up-and-coming filmmaker
Horror Jury Award, for excellence in the horror genre
Fantastic Fest Jury Award, for excellence outside of the horror genre
  • Gold Medal – Offscreen
  • Silver Medal – Never Belongs to Me
  • Bronze Medal – Aachi and Ssipak
  • Special Jury Prize for Most Original Scenario – Never Belongs to Me
Horror Shorts Award
  • Gold Medal – "In the Wall"
  • Silver Medal – "The Fifth"
  • Bronze Medal – "Far Out"
Animated Shorts Award
Fantastic Shorts Award
  • Gold Medal – "Waiting For Yesterday"
  • Silver Medal – "Sniffer"
  • Bronze Medal – "Suityman"
Audience Award

Highlights

  • Shooting shotguns with the Next Wave directors
  • Impromptu karaoke party and Fantastic Feud game show
  • Watching pornography in the front yard of festival director Tim League's house
  • Q&A by director Uwe Boll and star Zack Ward after a screening of ''Postal''

2008

Fantastic Fest 2008 was held September 18–25.
World premieresFeast 2: Sloppy Seconds, with director John Gulager and most of the cast in attendanceSantos, with director Nicolás López in attendanceSeventh Moon, with director Eduardo Sanchez and stars Amy Smart and Tim Chiou in attendanceZombie Girl: The Movie
US premieresAcolytes with director Jon Hewitt in attendanceArt of the Devil 3SaunaDeadgirl with directors Gadi Harel and Marcel Sarmiento in attendance.
Texas premieresAlien RaidersAstropiaThe BurrowersCargo 200The ChaserChocolateLa CremeDark FloorsDoctor InfiernoDonkey PunchEstomago: A Gastronomic Story Ex DrummerFanboysFear(s) of the DarkFighterGachi Boy: Wrestling With a MemoryThe Good, The Bad, the WeirdHow To Get Rid of Others[I Think We're Alone (2007 film)|Alone Now (film)|I Think We're Alone Now]Jack Brooks: Monster SlayerJCVDJust Another Love StoryLate BloomerLeft BankLet The Right One InMartyrsMuay Thai ChaiyaPulse 2: AfterlifeRepo! The Genetic OperaRule of ThreeSouth of HeavenSpine Tingler — The William Castle StoryThe SubstituteSurveillance with Q&A by director Jennifer LynchTerraTokyo!Tokyo Gore PoliceVinyanWicked LakeThe Wild Man of the NavidadThe Wreck

Special screenings

Zack and Miri Make a Porno with guest director Kevin Smith in attendance The Brothers Bloom, with director Rian Johnson in attendanceAppaloosaEagle Eye Role Models, with Paul Rudd and David Wain in attendanceRocknRollaCity of Ember, with Bill Murray and Gil Kenan in attendance

Retrospective screenings

There was an Ozploitation retrospective featuring Australian exploitation films from the '70s and '80s:Dark AgeMad MaxThe Man from Hong KongRazorbackRoad Warrior, shown on an outdoor screen in the parking lotTurkey Shoot
And the documentary Not Quite Hollywood about Ozploitation in the golden age.
There was also a sampling of Japanese "pinku" titles, includingBlue Film WomanGushing PrayerA Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn

Award winners

AMD Next Wave Award for excellence by an up-and-coming filmmaker
AMD Fantastic Fest Online
Horror Features, for excellence in the horror genre
Fantastic Features, for excellence outside of the horror genre
  • Gold Medal – How to Get Rid of Others
  • Silver Medal – Cargo 200
  • Bronze Medal – Ex Drummer
  • Special Jury Award for originality and vision – Santos
Horror Shorts
Fantastic Shorts
  • Gold Medal – "The Object"
  • Silver Medal – "Spandex Man"
  • Bronze Medal – "Stagman"
  • Special Jury Award for Visual Invention – "Rojo Red"
Animated Shorts
  • Gold Medal – "Bernie's Doll"
  • Silver Medal – "Muto"
  • Bronze Medal – "Violeta"
  • Special Jury Award for Technical Merit – "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Hollow"

Highlights

  • Director Nacho Vigalondo covering his face with honey and shooting himself with a confetti cannon following the screening of his short films.
  • The "shaky-face" badge photos required attendees to submit a picture of themselves taken while violently shaking their heads back and forth. This resulted in some very unusual portraits.
  • The Fantastic Debates pitted film lovers against one another in spirited arguments about "Horror Remakes — Reinvented Classics, or Modern Abominations" and the like. Debators unable to resolve their differences with words then stepped into the boxing ring to settle things with fists.
  • Closing party, sponsored by the film City of Ember was held at Longhorn Caverns. Bill Murray attended.
  • 100 Best Kills Party
  • Donkey Punch Boat Party
  • The Fantastic Feud
  • Michael Jackson: Thrill the World, an attempt to break the world record for largest synchronized [Michael Jackson's Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Thriller (music video)|Thriller] dance
  • Smokin' Karaoke Apocalypse Party 2008, with live band karaoke

2009

The 2009 festival was held September 24 – October 1. It was the first year of the Fantastic Fest Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to director Jess Franco. The official sponsors of the 2009 Fantastic Fest were Real D, G4, Dark Sky Films, Best Buy, Stella Artois, Jeremiah Weed, Ain't It Cool News, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
World premieresZombieland, with a Q&A by director Ruben Fleischer and stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma StoneGentlemen Broncos, with a Q&A by director Jared Hess and stars Jemaine Clement, Michael Angarano Sam Rockwell, and Mike WhiteUniversal Soldier: Regeneration, with Q&A by star Dolph LundgrenREC 2Down Terrace with Q&A by director Ben WheatleyFirst SquadMacabreMandrill with Q&A by director Ernesto Diaz Espinoza and action star Marko Zaror
U.S. premieresAntichristDaybreakers, with Q&A by star Dolph LundgrenSurvival of the Dead, with Q&A by director George A. Romero[The The Human Centipede (First Sequence)|Human Centipede (First Sequence)|Human Centipede], with Q&A by director Tom SixDoghouse, with Q&A by director Jake WestSmash CutRoboGeishaDuress, with Q&A by director Jordan BarkerMerantauMetropia, with Q&A by director Tarik SalehSweet Karma, with Q&A by director Andrew Thomas Hunt and star Shera BechardVan Diemen's Land with Q&A by star Mark Leonard WinterTokyo OnlypicsUnder the Mountain
Texas premieresBreathlessBronsonBuratino, Son of Pinocchio, with Q&A by director Rasmus MerivooThe ChildrenClive Barker's DreadCrazy Racer CropseyDirty MindDistrict 13: UltimatumFireballFish StoryGroper TrainHard Revenge MillyHouse (Hausu)The House of the DevilJourney to SaturnK-20: Legend of the MaskKaifek MurderKamogawa Horumo — Battle League in KyotoKenny BeginsKrabatThe Legend Is AliveLove ExposureMorphineNinja AssassinParanormal ActivityPrivate EyeRampage, with Q&A by director Uwe BollThe RevenantSalvageSoloman KaneStingray Sam, with Q&A by director Cory McAbeeSurvival of the DeadTerribly HappyA Town Called PanicTrick R TreatTruffles with Q&A by director Kim NguyenVampire Girl vs Frankenstein GirlYatterman
  • ''Yesterday''

Special screenings

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, with Q&A by stars John C. Reilly, Chris Massoglia, and Josh HutchersonThe Men Who Stare at GoatsThe Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Retrospective screenings

A retrospective of the films of Jess Franco in support of his lifetime achievement award:SuccubusVenus in FursFemale Vampire (aka The Bare-Breasted Countess)

Award winners

Next Wave Award, for excellence by an up-and-coming filmmaker
Horror Jury Award, for excellence in the horror genre
  • Best Horror Feature: Human Centipede
  • Best Horror Director: Kerry Prior
  • Best Horror Actor: Dieter Laser
  • Best Horror Actress: Neve McIntosh
Fantastic Fest Jury Award, for excellence outside of the horror genre
Horror Shorts Award
  • Best Horror Short – "Full Employment"
  • Special Mention – "Excision"
Fantastic Shorts Award
Animated Shorts Award
Audience Award
Source:

Highlights

  • Watching Uwe Boll fight Alamo Drafthouse owner Tim League at the Fantastic Debates
  • Chaos Reigns!
  • Brutus and Balzaak Bash party celebrating Gentlemen Broncos opening night party
  • Shooting machine guns
  • 100% medically accurate Q&A by director Tom Six after his film Human Centipede
  • Opening of the Highball, the official Fantastic Fest party-place/bowling alley/bar
  • Double 3D Dance Party at the Highball
  • The Future of 3D: Panels and Presentations event
  • The Michael Jackson Dance Party
  • Sake, Shochu and Karaoke: Meet the Japanese! – party at Highball
  • Return of the Fantastic Feud

2010

The 2010 festival was held September 23–30. It was the first year of the Fantastic Arcade, a showcase of independent video games. The presenting sponsors of the 2010 Fantastic Fest were Dell, AMD, RealD, Ambhar Tequila, FearNet.com, Sony PlayStation, and Qriocity.

World premieres

Agnosia, with a Q&A by director Eugenio Mira30 Days Of Night: Dark Days, with Q&A by director Ben Ketai, writers Kiele Sanchez and Steve Niles, and stars Diora Baird and Troy RuptashUndocumented, with Q&A by director Chris PeckoverZombie Roadkill with Q&A by director David Green and stars David Dorfman and Thomas Haden ChurchHelldriver, with Q&A by director Yoshihiro NishimuraSharktopus, with Q&A by Roger Corman and Julie CormanTrue Legend, with Q&A by director Yuen Woo-pingTroll Hunter with Q&A by director André ØvredalRed, with Q&A by star Karl Urban
International premieresNorwegian Ninja, with Q&A by director Thomas Cappelen MallingOng Bak 3
US premieresBedevilled with Q&A by director Jang Chul-sooBunraku, with Q&A by director Guy Moshe and star Josh HartnettCold FishThe Corridor, with Q&A by directors Johan Lundborg and Johan Storm, and star Emil JohnsenThe Dead, with Q&A by writer/directors Howard and Jonathan FordFatsoFire of ConscienceHatchet 2, with Q&A by director Adam GreenA Horrible Way to Die, with Q&A by director Adam WingardThe Housemaid Julia's EyesKidnapped, with Q&A by director Miguel Angel VivasThe Last Circus, with Q&A by director Álex de la IglesiaLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenLet Me In, with Q&A by director Matt Reeves, and stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Elias Koteas, and Dylan MinnetteNaan KadavulOutrageRammbock, with Q&A by director Marvin KrenRare Exports: A Christmas TaleRed HillRedlineI Saw the DevilA Somewhat Gentle ManSound of NoiseI Spit on Your GraveStake Land, with Q&A by director Jim Mickle, and stars Nick Damici, Connor Paolo, and Danielle HarrisStone, with Q&A by director John Curran and star Edward NortonTransferWe Are What We Are
Texas premieres13 Assassins14 BladesBibliothèque PascalCaranchoDrones, with Q&A by directors Amber Benson and Adam BuschGallantsGolden SlumberHeartlessHigh LaneIn the Attic, with Q&A by director Jiří BartaIp Man 2The Life and Death of a Porno GangThe Man From NowhereMother's Day, with Q&A by director Darren Bousman and star Rebecca De MornayMutant Girls SquadNever Let Me GoPrimalRed White & BlueRubberSummer WarsThe Violent Kind, with Q&A by directors Mitchell Altieri and Phil Flores, and producer Don Lewis

Special screenings

Buried, with Q&A by star Ryan ReynoldsMachete Maidens UnleashedNerdcore Rising Playing Columbine, played as part of Fantastic ArcadeRichard Garriott: Man on a Mission, with guest star Richard GarriottEnter the VoidNightmares – shown as part of Terror TuesdayFor Your Height Only – presented in Foleyvision to commemorate ''Machete Maidens Unleashed!''

Retrospective screenings

Class of 1984 – to celebrate the debut of the new book by Zack Carlson, Destroy All MoviesThe Housemaid X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes – to commemorate the lifetime achievement award for Roger and Julie CormanSnake In Eagle's Shadow – to commemorate the lifetime achievement award for Yuen Wo PingFive Element Ninjas – to commemorate the lifetime achievement award for Yuen Wo PingJoysticks – shown for Weird Wednesday to commemorate Destroy All MoviesThe Twilight People – special Weird Wednesday to honor Machete Maidens Unleashed!Re-Animator – with special guest director Stuart Gordon and star Jeffery CombsFrom Beyond – with special guest director Stuart Gordon and star Jeffery Combs
Live PerformancesThe Intergalactic Nemesis, a graphic novel radio play by Jason NeulanderNevermore, a stage performance by Jeffrey Combs as Edgar Allan Poe, directed by Stuart GordonIndependence Day, with live commentary by Master Pancake with Bill PullmanSpaceBalls Quote-Along, hosted by Bill Pullman

Award Winners

The Dell/AMD Next Wave Award, for excellence by an up-and-coming filmmaker
Horror Jury Award, for excellence in the horror genre
  • Best Horror Feature: Kidnapped
  • Best Horror Director: Miguel Angel Vivas
  • Best Horror Screenplay: Simon Barrett
  • Best Horror Actor: A.J. Bowen
  • Best Horror Actress: Amy Seimetz
Fantastic Fest Jury Award, for excellence outside of the horror genre
Horror Shorts Award
  • Best Horror Short – "Legend of Beaver Dam"
  • Special Mention – "Deus Irae"
Fantastic Shorts Award
  • Best Fantastic Short – "Sorry... I Love You"
Animated Shorts Award
  • Best Animated Short – "Teclopolis"
Audience Award
  • Audience Award, Best Feature: Bedevilled
  • Audience Award, Honorable Mention: Ip Man 2
  • Audience Award, Honorable Mention: Rubber
  • Audience Award, Honorable Mention: ''Golden Slumber''

Highlights

  • Boys' choir singing the theme from Let Me In at opening night
  • Tim League boxing against Michelle Rodriguez
  • Bill Pullman, Elijah Wood, and RZA singing karaoke
  • Whole-roasted cow and 500,000 volts of electricity at the closing night party
  • 100 Best Kills party
  • 30 Days of Night Flashlight Dance Party
  • Criterion "Chaos Reigns" Karaoke Party
  • Fantastic Arcade Awards Ceremony/Starcade Competition
  • Datapop 4.0 Arcade Closing Night Party
  • The FearNet Fantastic Feud
  • Geeks Who Drink presents The Fantastic Fest Quiz
  • Nerdeoke!
  • Karaoke Apocalypse with live band
  • Opening Night Party '80s Dance Party and MC Frontalot Live

2011

The 2011 Fantastic Fest film festival was held September 22–29.

World premieres

Calibre 9 – Q&A with director Jean-Christian Tassy and producer Axel GuyotThe Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence – director Tom Six, producer Ilona Six, and actors Ashlynn Yennie, Laurence Harvey, Maddi Black, Katherine Templar, and Emma Lock in attendanceManborg – writer/director/producer Steve Kostanski, co-writer/actor Jeremy Gillespie, and actor Andrea Carr in attendancePenumbraThe Squad – Q&A with director Jaime Osorio MarquezZombie Ass
International premieresThe Devil's BusinessHow to Steal 2 Million
U.S. premieresBlindA Boy and His SamuraiBullhead – Q&A with director Michaël R. RoskamBunohanCarre Blanc – Director Jean-Baptiste Léonetti, producer Benjamin Mamou, and executive producer Camille Havard Bourdon in attendanceComic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope – Producer Harry Knowles, and stars James Darling, Se Young, and Holly Conrad live in personThe Corridor – Director Evan Kelly, writer Josh MacDonald, producer Mike Masters, and producer Craig Cameron live in personThe Day – Producer Guy Danella, writer Lucas Passmore, and actor Dominic Monaghan live in personExtraterrestrial – Q&A with director Nacho VigalondoHeadhuntersJuan of the Dead – Q&A with director Alejandro Brugués and producer Gervasio Iglesias MaciasJulia X 3D – Q&A with director P.J. Pettiette, producer Claudie Viguerie, and actor Kevin SorboKarate-Robo Zaborgar – Q&A with director Noboru Iguchi and makeup/FX supervisor Yoshihiro NishimuraKill Me Please – Q&A with director Olias BarcoLast Screening – Q&A with actor Pascal CervoLividMichaelNew Kids Turbo – Q&A with actors Huub Smit and Wesley van GaalenRabiesRetreatRevenge: A Love StorySleep Tight – Q&A with director Jaume BalagueróSleepless NightSmugglerSnowman's LandSnowtownTwo Eyes StaringUrban ExplorerYou Said What? – Q&A with director Patrik Syversen, producer Kjetil Omberg, producer Terje Stromstad, and actor Stig Frode HenriksenYou're Next – Q&A with writer/producer Simon Barrett, producers Keith Calder and Jess Wu, actors Barbara Crampton, A.J. Bowen, Sharni Vinson, and Nick Tucci
Texas premieresA Lonely Place to Die – Q&A with director/co-writer Julian Gilbey and co-writer/editor Will GilbeyAngels & Airwaves Presents LOVE – with guest Q&A from Tom DelongeAardvarkBeyond the Black Rainbow – Q&A with director Panos CosmatosBody Temperature – Q&A with director Takaomi OgataBorderlineBoys On The RunEl InfiernoElite Squad: The Enemy Within – Q&A with director José PadilhaHauntersThe HoldingInvasion of Alien BikiniKlown – Q&A with director Mikkel NorgaardKnuckle – Q&A with director Ian Palmer and James McDonaghLet the Bullets FlyMelancholiaMilocrorze: A Love StoryPolvora Negra – Q&A with director Kapel FurmanThe StokerSummerlandTake ShelterUnderwater LoveWe Need to Talk About KevinSennentuntschi: Curse of the AlpsYakuza Weapon

Special screenings

The Skin I Live In – Paranormal Activity 3 – The Innkeepers – premiered at SXSW but also was shown at the closing night of Fantastic Fest

Retrospective screenings

An American Werewolf in London – presented by Mondo with special-edition poster and appearance by Stan WinstonHouse by the Cemetery – theatrical premiere of the 2K digitally restored versionZombie – theatrical premiere of the 2K digitally restored versionComin' At Ya! 3D – with producer Tom Stern and star Tony Anthony in attendance

Award winners

Audience AwardA Boy and His Samurai
AMD & Dell "Next Wave" Spotlight Competition
Horror Features
Fantastic Features
Gutbuster Comedy Features
Short Fuse: Horror Shorts
  • Winner: "How to Rid Your Lover of a Negative Emotion Caused By You"
  • Runner-up: "The Unliving"
  • Special Jury Award for Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects and General Badassery: "Brutal Relax"
Fantastic Shorts
  • Best Fantastic Short: "Decapoda Shock"
  • Runner-up: "All Men Are Called Robert"
  • Special Jury Mention for Acting: Robert Picardo
Drawn and Quartered: Animated Shorts
  • Best Animated Short: "The Last Norwegian Troll"
  • Runner-up: Lazarov

Highlights

  • James Quinn McDonagh versus Tim League at the Fantastic Fest Debates
  • The opening night film Human Centipede 2 had an ambulance on standby outside and handed out barf bags
  • Opening night party in celebration of Human Centipede 2 with live music from the Charles Edward Cheese band
  • Fantastic Feud
  • Fantastic Arcade ran Sept. 22–24
  • Japan Night: Chaos Reigns Karaoke Party
  • 100 Best Kills featuring the best of audience submitted movie deaths
  • Karaoke Apocalypse – karaoke with a live band
  • Fantastic Trivia presented by Geeks Who Drink
  • Fantastic Fest Closing Night Party: Superhero Carnival – featuring Aquaman's Ocean, The Flash's Mountain Race Challenge, Batman's Boxing Battle, Spider-man's Wall of Webbing, Superman's House of Flight and carnival food

2012

The 2012 Fantastic Fest Film Festival took place September 20–27. This was the last year Fantastic Fest was held at the Highball and South Lamar theater before it was all remodeled.

World premieres

The ABCs of DeathThe American Scream – Q&A with director Michael Paul Stephenson, producer Lindsay Stephenson, and haunters Manny Souza and Victor Bariteau and familyBestiesBlack OutBring Me the Head of the Machine Gun Woman – Q&A with director Ernesto DiazThe Collection – Q&A with actress Emma FitzpatrickThe Conspiracy – Q&A with Director Christopher MacBride, producer Lee Kim, actor/producer Aaron Poole, cinematographer Ian Anderson, and actor Jim GilbertDanger 5The Exorcist in the 21st CenturyFrankenweenie – – Q&A with Tim Burton and voice actors Winona Ryder and Martin LandauThe Greatest Movie Ever Rolled – Q&A with director Ryan Polito, star Doug Benson, producer Sharon Everitt, and cinematographer Will DeloneyHellfjordPlan CRed Dawn – – Q&A with stars Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki, director Dan Bradley, and producers Tripp Vinson and Beau FlynnTebana Sankichi: Snot RocketsUniversal Soldier: Day of Reckoning – Q&A with actor Scott Adkins and Mariah Bonner
International premieresTwo Rabbits (Dois Coehilos)
U.S. premieresAftershock - Q&A with director Nicolás López and actor/producer Eli RothAmerican Mary – Q&A with the Soska Sisters and actress Tristan RiskAntiviralBerberian Sound StudioCockneys vs. Zombies – Q&A with director Matthias Hoene and writer James MoranCombat GirlsCome Out and PlayCrave – Q&A with director Charles de Lauzirika and actor Josh LawsonDead Sushi – Q&A with director Noboru Iguchi, producer Mana Fukui, and actress Rina TakedaDom: A Russian FamilyErrors of the Human Body – Q&A with actor Michael Eklund, director Jennifer Phang, actor/co-producer Jacqueline Kim, and technical director Jon DestoppeleireEverybody in Our FamilyFuck Up – Q&A with director Oystein Karlsen, producer Anders Tangen, cinematographer Pal Bugge Haagenrud, and actor Jon OigardenHengeHere Comes the Devil – Q&A with director Adrián García Bogliano, producer Andrea Quiroz Hernandez, and actor Francisco BarreiroHoly MotorsI Declare War – Q&A with director Rob Wilson and producer Lewin WebbThe King of PigsLa Memoria del Muerto – Q&A with director Javier Diment and writer Martin BloussonLee's AdventureLooper – Q&A with director Rian JohnsonMy Amityville Horror – Q&A with director Eric Walter and producers Andrea Adams and Christine IronsNew Kids Nitro – Q&A with directors Steffen Haars and Flip van der Kuil, as well as actors Huub Smit and Wesley van GaalenOutrage BeyondPusherTai Chi 0Tower Block – Q&A with director Ronnie ThompsonVanishing WavesVegetarian CannibalThe Warped ForestYoung Gun in the Time
Texas premieresCold BloodedCold Steel – Q&A with director David WuDredd – Q&A with writer/director Alex Garland, actress Olivia Thirlby, and actor Karl UrbanThe Final Member – Q&A with directors Jonah Bekhor and Zach MathFlickerGraceland – Q&A with director Ron Morales and producer Rebecca LundgrenHailThe History of Future Folk – Q&A with producer/co-director Jeremy Kipp Walker, writer/co-director John Mitchell, and actors Nil d-Aulaire and Jay KlaitzNo Rest for the WickedParis By NightRoom 237TapedUnit 7VulgariaWrong
Austin premieres

Special screenings

Cloud Atlas – Sightseers – Sinister – premiered at SXSW; then had a special screening at Fantastic FestParanormal Activity 4 – work-in-progress print with a Q&A with actress Katie Featherston and co-director Henry Joost

Retrospective screenings

The Entity – repertory screening as part of the House of Psychotic Women seriesThe Mafu Cage – repertory screening as part of the House of Psychotic Women seriesMiami Connection – Q&A with actor/producer Grandmaster YK, and actors Joe Diamond, Maurice Smith, Angelo Jannotti, and Vince HirschSecret Ceremony repertory screening as part of the House of Psychotic Women seriesThe Shining – played simultaneously back and forth over each other

Award winners

Audience AwardI Declare War
AMD "Next Wave" Spotlight Competition
Fantastic Features
Horror Features
  • Best Picture: Here Comes the Devil
  • Best Screenplay: Adrián García Bogliano
  • Best Director: Adrián García Bogliano
  • Special Mention: Hajime Ohata
  • Best Actor: Francisco Barreiro
  • Best Actress: Laura Caro
  • Special Mention: Katherine Isabel
Gutbuster Comedy Features
  • Best Picture: New Kids Nitro
  • Best Director: Dario Russo
  • Best Screenplay: John Mitchell
  • Best Actor: Chapman To
  • Best Actress: Rina Takeda
Documentary Features
Short Fuse: Horror Shorts
  • Winner: "At the Formal"
  • Runner-up: "The Sleepover"
Fantastic Shorts
  • Winner: "Record/Play"
  • Runner-up: "Love"
Drawn and Quartered: Animated Shorts
  • Winner: "Bendito Machine IV"
  • Runner-up: "Tram"

Highlights

  • Front of Drafthouse Lamar painted up for Frankenweenie world premiere
  • Special Frankenweenie screening for dogs and their owners
  • Chaos Reigns Karaoke Party with reunited Dragon Sound at the Highball
  • Opening night Monsters Ball where attendees were encouraged to wear their favorite silver-screen monster costume
  • The American Scream Homemade Haunted House
  • Datapop party celebrating 8-bit music and culture for Fantastic Arcade
  • "Hellfjord" Norwegian Party
  • Tim League fighting YK Kim at the Fantastic Debates
  • Closing night party was Red Dawn themed. The Austin American Legion was decorated as a maximum-security prison with free prison tattoos and head shaving
  • Fantastic Feud

2013

The 2013 festival was hosted for the first time at the brand new Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline location from September 19–26.

World premieres

CoherenceDetective DownsGoldberg and EisenbergGrand PianoGreatful DeadLFOMachete Kills Ninja: Shadow of a TearRagnarokSeptic Man
North American premieresChanthalyThe CongressA Field in EnglandJourney to the West: Conquering the DemonsKid's PoliceMaruyama the Middle SchoolerMirage MenMiss ZombieMonsoon ShootoutNothing Bad Can HappenOur Heroes Died TonightPatrickShe WolfThe Zero Theorem
U.S. premieresAfflictedAlmost HumanBlue RuinBorgmanCommando: A One Man ArmyConfession of MurderThe FakeGatchamanLove EternalMan of Tai ChiMoebiusMood IndigoOn The JobProxyR100Rigor MortisThe Sacrament
Texas premieresBig Bad WolvesThe DirtiesEscape from TomorrowFatalHalleyHentai Kamen: Forbidden Super HeroJodorowsky's DuneMetallica Through the NeverNarco CulturaNightbreed: The Cabal CutNorthwestThe Resurrection of a BastardO'ApostoloWe Are What We Are
Austin premieresEega

Special screenings

Cheap Thrills – special encore presentationThe Green Inferno – Gravity – Child of God – The Rundown – a movie interruption from Doug Benson

Retrospective screenings

All the Boys Love Mandy LaneTimecrimes – special screening with Mondo poster and vinyl of soundtrack with director Nacho Vigalondo

Award Winners

Audience Award
"Next Wave" Spotlight
Fantastic Features
Horror Features
  • Best Picture: Afflicted
  • Best Director: Derek Lee and Clif Prowse
  • Best Screenplay: Derek Lee and Clif Prowse
  • Best Actor: Jason David Brown
  • Best Actress: Julia Garner
Gutbuster Comedy Features
Documentary Features
Short Fuse: Horror Shorts
Fantastic Shorts
  • Winner: Beasts in the Real World
  • Runner-up: My Pain Is Worse Than Your Pain
Drawn and Quartered: Animated Shorts
  • Winner: The Sad House
  • Runner-up: Kick-Heart
Fantastic Arcade
  • Best in Show and Audience Choice: Samurai Gunn

Highlights

  • Danger Gods!: The True Daredevils of Hollywood Legend – live stunt show
  • Fantastic Arcade panels and tournaments
  • Opening Night Party: Machete Don't Stop
  • Fantastic Fest presents Doug Loves Movies
  • Chaos Reigns!!! Karaoke Party
  • The Fantastic Debates Presented by Man of Tai Chi
  • Cards Against Humanity Happy Hour
  • Fantastic Arcade VideoHeroeS Tournament and Arcade Awards
  • You Guys Like Tequila?: The Fantastic Arcade After Party
  • Nerd Rap Throwdown
  • Fantastic Feud
  • Fantastic Trivia presented by Geeks Who Drink
  • Metal Meltdown with Karaoke Apocalypse – live band karaoke
  • Closing Night Party

2014

The 2014 festival returned to the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar location from September 18–25 for the 10-year anniversary.

Special screenings

Kung Fu Elliot – Fantastic Fest premiereJohn Wick – special gala screeningGoodnight Mommy – secret screeningMiami Connection – a movie interruption from Doug BensonThe Look of Silence – a Drafthouse Alliance special screeningThe Island of Dr. Moreau – Master Pancake screening

Retrospective screenings

Bugsy Malone – Kid Power! book launchDeath Wish IIIThe AstrologerNinja III: The Domination
  • ''The Soultangler''

Award winners

Audience Award
"Next Wave" Spotlight
Fantastic Features
Horror Features
  • Best Picture: THE BABADOOK
  • Best Screenplay: Jennifer Kent
  • Best Director: Martín De Salvo
  • Best Actor: Noah Wiseman
  • Best Actress: Essie Davis
Gutbuster Comedy Features
Documentary Features
  • Best Picture: KUNG FU ELLIOT
  • Best Director: Tim Grabham, Jasper Sharp
Short Fuse: Horror Shorts'
  • Winner: THE STOMACH directed by Ben Steiner
  • Runner-up: INVADERS directed by Jason Kupfer
Fantastic Shorts
  • Winner: THE VOICE THIEF directed by Adan Jodorowsky
  • Runner-up: MY FATHER IS A BIRD and SOLITUDO
Drawn and Quartered: Animated Shorts
  • Winner: THE CHAPERONE
  • Runner-up: DAY 40
Fantastic Arcade
  • Best in Show: BANANA CHALICE
‘Mercado Fantastico’
  • Gold Prize: HAVANA VAMPIRE TERRITORY and THE TURNED
  • Silver Prize: FIERCE
  • Bronze Prize: HURT
  • Special Jury Mention for "Keeping the Spirit of the 80's Alive": THE SHADOWDWELLERS
  • Jury Award for Work in Progress, and Chemistry Award: FRONDOSO EDEN DEL CORAZON
  • Morbido/Latam Consultation Award: EAT ME

2015

The 2015 festival returned to the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar location from Sept. 24–Oct. 1.

World premieres

Bone TomahawkDarlingDirty RomanceGridlockedLa GranjaLazer TeamMan Vs SnakeThe PassingSensoriaThe SimilarsWhat We BecomeZinzana
North American premieresThe Brand New TestamentCoz Ov Moni 2Der BunkerIn Search of Ultra SexLovemillaSpeed
U.S. premieresApril and the Extraordinary WorldAssassination ClassroomBaskinThe ClubDemon'Green RoomHigh-RiseThe LobsterLove and PeaceLudoThe Missing GirlOfficeRemake, Remix, Rip-offStand By for Tape Back Up
Texas premieres'The Keeping RoomL'affaire SK1The WitchYakuza Apocalypse''

Special screenings

The Martian

Award winners

Audience Award
"Next Wave" Spotlight
Fantastic Features
Horror Features
  • Best Picture: Demon
  • Best Director: Joe Begos for THE MIND’S EYE
Comedy Features
  • Best Picture: THE BRAND NEW TESTAMENT
  • Best Director: Anders Thomas Jensen for MEN & CHICKEN
Documentary Features
  • Best Picture: MAN VS SNAKE
  • Best Director: Heath Cozens for DOGLEGS
Horror Shorts
  • Best Picture: SISTER HELL
  • Best Director: Ryan Spindell for THE BABYSITTER MURDERS
Fantastic Shorts
  • Best Picture: MOVIES IN SPACE
  • Best Director: Jeremy David White for ENHANCED
Fantastic Arcade
  • Best in Show: SECRET LEGEND developed by Andrew Shouldice
  • Audience Award Winner: SUPER RUSSIAN ROULETTE developed by Andrew Reitano
Mercado Fantastico
FANTASTIC BUMPER COMPETITION – Presented by SourceFed Nerd
  • THE JURY directed by Joe Nicolosi

2016

The 2016 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar from Sept. 22–29.

World premieres

International PremieresPopozAalavandhanThe High FrontierShimaumaTerry TeoYoung OffendersThe Truth Beneath
North American PremieresChunyukiCall of HeroesDon't Kill It – with Dolph Lundgren in attendanceKammattipadamThe Red TurtleRe:BornS Is for StanleySalt and Fire
U.S. PremieresArrivalAsuraAssassination Classroom – GraduationThe Bad BatchZoologyDog Eat DogElleThe Girl With All the GiftsThe HandmaidenNova SeedRawSadako vs. KayakoToni ErdmannThe Age of ShadowsThe Autopsy of Jane DoeColossalHeadshotThe Invisible GuestMy Entire Highschool is Sinking Into the Sea
Texas PremieresHelmut Berger, ActorThey Call Me Jeeg RobotA Monster CallsHentai Kamen 2: The Abnormal CrisisThe Lure
Regional PremieresBugsThe Eyes of My Mother
Austin PremieresRats
Repertory ScreeningsKhalnayakMagadheera
Special ScreeningsThe Greasy StranglerMiss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar ChildrenPhantasm: RemasteredGoke: Body Snatcher from HellAsh vs. Evil Dead – with Bruce Campbell, Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo and Lee Majors in attendance

Award Winners

Audience Award
  • Bad Black – Directed by Nabwana Igg
  • 1st Runner Up – Nirvanna The Band The Show – Directed by Matt Johnson
  • 2nd Runner Up – Raw – Directed by Julia Ducournau
"Next Wave" Features
  • Best Picture: ZOOLOGY directed by Ivan I. Tverdovsky
  • Best Director: Julia Ducournau for RAW
  • Special Mention for Fantastic Spirit: THE LURE
Fantastic Features
Horror Features
Comedy Features
  • Best Picture: DOWN UNDER directed by Abraham Forsythe
  • Best Director: Abraham Forsythe for DOWN UNDER
  • Special Mention for Best Comedy Debut: THE YOUNG OFFENDERS
Action Features
  • Best Picture: AGE OF SHADOWS directed by Kim Jee-woon
  • Best Director: Nabwana IGG for BAD BLACK
  • Special Mention for Best Action: CALL OF HEROES
Documentary Features
  • Best Picture: Original Copy directed by Florian Heinzen-Ziob & Georg Heinzen
  • Best Director: Florian Heinzen-Ziob and Georg Heinzen for Original Copy
Short Fuse: Horror Shorts
  • Best Picture: CURVE directed by Tim Egan
  • Best Director : Tim Egan for CURVE
  • Special Mention: OVERTIME
  • Special Mention: Najarra Townsend, lead actress in THE STYLIST
Fantastic Shorts
  • Best Picture: SUMMER CAMP ISLAND directed by Julia Pott
  • Best Director : Chris Mitchell & Yoav Lester for IRON SPYDER
Shorts With Legs
  • Best Picture: PACO directed by Catalina Jordan Alvarez
  • Best Director: Calvin Reeder for THE PROCEDURE
  • Special Mention for Best Meal: THE WORM
Fantastic Arcade
  • Most Fantastic: Everything by David O'Reilly
  • Audience Choice: Loot Rascals by Hollow Ponds
Fantastic Bumper Competition
  • JACK SKELLINGTON IN THE BOX directed by Roman Fruehan

Highlights

2017

The 2017 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar from Sept. 21–28. The event attracted attention due to the disclosure that Tim League had re-hired Devin Faraci as a writer even though Faraci resigned from Birth.Movies.Death in 2016 after he was accused of sexual assault. Faraci's re-hiring prompted the resignation of Todd Brown, Fantastic Fest's director of international programming. Alamo Drafthouse/Fantastic Fest severed ties with Harry Knowles after sexual harassment/assault allegations pertaining to him also surfaced.

World Premieres

International Premieres
North American Premieres
U.S. Premieres
Texas PremieresMon Mon Mon Monsters
Repertory Screenings
Special Screenings

Award Winners

Audience Award Winner
  • Audience Award Winner: BODIED directed by Joseph Kahn
  • 1st Runner-Up: GILBERT directed by Neil Berkeley
  • 2nd Runner-Up: WORLD OF TOMORROW EPISODE TWO directed by Don Hertzfeldt
"Next Wave" Features
Fantastic Features
Horror Features
  • Best Picture: THE CURED directed by David Freyne
  • Best Director: Issa López for TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID
  • Special Mention for Most Creative FX and Innovative Approach to Vampire Mythology to VAMPIRE CLAY
Comedy Features
  • Best Picture: THE SQUARE directed by Ruben Östlund
  • Best Director: Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson for UNDER THE TREE
  • Special Mention for Sheer Ballsiness to RON GOOSMAN’S LOW BUDGET STUNT MAN
Thriller Features
Documentary Features
  • Best Picture and Best Director: BRIMSTONE & GLORY directed by Viktor Jakovleski
  • Special Mention to Love and Saucers
Short Fuse: Horror Shorts
  • Best Picture: VOYEUR directed by Charlotte Lam, Claire Stradwick
  • Best Director : Gonçalo Almeida for THURSDAY NIGHT
  • Special Mention to CRESWICK
Fantastic Shorts
  • Best Picture: THE BURDEN directed by Niki Lindroth von Bahr
  • Special Mention for Biggest Face Melter to KAIJU BUNRAKU
Shorts With Legs
  • Best Picture and Best Director: THE TESLA WORLD LIGHT directed by Matthew Rankin
  • Special Mention to BEANS by director Maxwell Nalevansky
Fantastic Bumper Competition
  • SNAP SNAP directed by Felicia Rein

Highlights

  • Fantastic Debates
  • Fantastic Feud
  • Maltin at the Movies: Elijah Wood
  • Maltin at the Movies: Vince Vaughn
  • Puke and Explode! – The Fantastic Fest Eating Contest
  • Nerd Rap Contest
  • Chaos Reigns Karaoke Party
  • Opening Night Pajama Party Jam
  • Transference VR
  • The Monster Squad Mega Mash
  • The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 Game Play
  • Teen Panel: Anna and the Apocalypse
  • The Glassed Jedi: Star Wars Drink Competition
  • Everything is Terrible: The Great Satan
  • Cadaverous Closing Night Party with Itchy-O

2018

The 2018 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar from Sept. 20–27.

World Premieres

International Premieres
  • Madam Yankelova's Fine Literature Club
  • Werewolf
North American Premieres
U.S. Premieres
Regional Premieres
  • Ban Geum-ryeon
  • The Blood of Wolves
  • Deadwax
  • Laika
  • Violence Voyager
  • The World is Yours
Texas Premieres
Austin Premieres

Retrospective Screenings

  • Blood Lake
  • ''Flash Gordon''

Shorts

Fantastic Shorts

  • Hi-Five the Cactus
  • O.I.
  • Petite Avarie
  • Pizzamonster
  • Puppet Master
  • Space Flower
  • ''Squirrel''

Short Fuse Presented by Stage 13

  • Acid
  • Chowboys: An American Folktale
  • Drum Wave
  • A Haunting
  • Helsinki Mansplaining Massacre
  • Riley Was Here
  • Songbird
  • Special Day
  • ''Stigma''

Shorts with Legs

  • The Beaning
  • Cold Fish
  • Emotion 93
  • Entropia
  • Hair: The Story of Grass
  • Pan
  • ''The Passage''

Shorts with Kimchi: Korean Short Film Sidebar

  • Human Stone
  • The Lady from 406
  • Lal La Land
  • Pepper
  • ''Unknown Woman''

Paired with Features

  • Albatross Soup
  • Bedridden
  • The Bloody Ballad of Squirt Reynolds
  • Catcalls
  • Caterpillarplasty
  • CC
  • End Times
  • Feast on the Young
  • Floor 9.5
  • Goodnight
  • Gutter
  • Information Superhighway
  • Keep Your Mouth Shut
  • Laura & Vineta
  • Liquid Soul
  • The Menu
  • Monstagram
  • Monster Challenge
  • My Name Is Marc, And You Can Count On It
  • Occupant
  • Rosalina
  • Salt
  • The Slows
  • Sprites
  • A Thing of Dreams
  • ''Time Enforcer''

Award Winners

"Main Competition" Features
  • Best Picture: DONNYBROOK directed by Tim Sulton
  • Best Director: Peter Strickland for IN FABRIC
"Next Wave" Features
"Horror" Features
  • Best Picture: TERRIFIED directed by Demián Rugna
  • Best Director: Shinichiro Ueda for ONE CUT OF THE DEAD
  • Special Mention to LUZ directed by Tilman Singer
"Audience Award" Winner
  • Audience Award Winner: ONE CUT OF THE DEAD directed by Shinichiro Ueda
  • 1st Runner-Up: THE GUILTY directed by Gustav Möller
  • 2nd Runner-Up: AFTER THE SCREAMING STOPS directed by Joe Pearlman and David Soutar
Short With Legs
  • Best Picture: THE PASSAGE directed by Kitao Sakurai
  • Special Mention to EMOTION 93 directed by Oz Davidson
Short Fuse: Horror Shorts
  • Best Picture: ACID directed by Just Philippot
Fantastic Shorts
  • Best Picture: SQUIRREL directed by Alex Kavutskiy
Fantastic Bumper Competition
  • DARK BIDDINGS directed by Jensen Yancey

2019

The 2019 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar from Sept. 19–26.

World Premieres

International Premieres
North American Premieres
U.S. Premieres
Texas Premieres
Austin Premieres

Retrospective Screenings

The Black Pit of Dr. MLyleA Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge in 35mmPreyThe Ship of Monsters

Horror Features

  • ''The Color Out of Space''

2020

In 2020, due to the prevalence of COVID-19, the physical festival was canceled. Instead, they held a completely free, virtual festival with a reduced lineup called Celebration of Fantastic Fest. The virtual event also included two special physical screenings and virtual parties.
World PremieresAction U.S.A Bloodthirsty The Boy Behind The Door Daughters of Darkness The Stylist How To Deter a Robber
International PremieresLaughter Teddy
North American PremieresQueen of Black Magic
US Premieres
  • Girl The Old Man Movie
Texas PremieresPossessor The Wolf of Snow Hollow
Austin Premieres
AGFA presents Triple Fisher: The Lethal Lolitas of Long Island ''

2021

The 2021 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar from 23 to 30 September. The festival was held in reformated structure due to restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic aftermath.

Feature films

A BanquetAfter BlueAgnesAlone With YouBenedetta – The Beta TestBelleBeyond the Infinite 2 MinutesBingo HellBlack FridayThe Black PhoneCannon Arm and the Arcade QuestDead & BeautifulDealerThe Deer KingDevil StoryFangs aka Snakes The Found Footage PhenomenonHellbenderThe InnocentsIké BoysKing CarLambLast Night in Soho – Let the Wrong One InLimboLuziferMasking ThresholdMother SchmuckersName Above TitleOnce Upon a time in UgandaPremanThe SadnessSilent NightSlumber Party MassacreSweetie, You Won't Believe ItThere's Someone Inside Your HouseTitaneThe TripThe United States of InsanityV/H/S/94
  • ''Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched''

2022

The 2022 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse in South Lamar, Austin, Texas from September 22 to September 29, with virtual screenings taking place from September 29 to October 4.

World premieres

Amazing Elisa The Antares Paradox Birdemic 3: Sea Eagle Blood Flower Blood Relatives Disappear Completely Flowing Garcia! Kids vs. Aliens King on Screen Hellraiser The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Mister Organ NightMare Razzennest Satanic Hispanics Smile Solomon King Spoonful of Sugar The Stairway to Stardom Mixtape Video Diary of a Lost Girl Terminal USA

US Premieres

The Banshees of Inisherin Country Gold Decision to Leave Demigod: The Legend Begins The Elderly Final Cut Give Me Pity Joint Security Area La Pietà Manticore The Menu Missing Nightsiren The Offering The People's Joker Project Wolf Hunting Sick Sick of Myself Triangle of Sadness Unicorn Wars V/H/S/99 Venus

International premieres

Evil Eye
  • ''Nothing''

North-American premieres

Aatank Bad City Deep Fear Everyone Will Burn The Five Devils Gamera vs. Zigra H4Z4RD Medusa Deluxe The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou Terrifier 2 Tropic The Visitor From the Future Year of the Shark
Texas premieresA Life on the Farm All Jacked Up and Full of Worms A Wounded Fawn Attachment Bones and All Family Dinner Holy Spider Huesera: The Bone Woman Hunt Leonor Will Never Die Living with Chucky Lynch/Oz Mako: The Jaws of Death Oink One and Four Piggy Shin Ultraman Smoking Causes Coughing Something in the Dirt Swallowed Ultraman 4K Edition Unidentified Objects We Might As Well Be Dead
Austin premieresChop & Steele
Shark Attack Sidebar12 Days of Terror Aatank Gamera vs. Zigra Mako: The Jaws of Death Tintorera!
Official Competition SelectionAmazing Elisa Holy Spider Huesera La Pietà NightMare Nightsiren Spoonful of Sugar Year of the Shark
Horror Competition SelectionBlood Flower Deep Fear Piggy Project Wolf Hunting Satanic Hispanics Terrifier 2 V/H/S/99 Venus
Next Wave CompetitionEveryone Will Burn Family Dinner Flowing Leonor Will Never Die Medusa Deluxe The Five Devils Tropic We Might As Well Be Dead
Jurors
Official Competition
  • Liane Cunje
  • Jongsuk Thomas Nam
  • Lars Nilsen
Horror Competition
  • Johannes Grenzfurthner
  • Adam Koehler
  • Caryn Coleman
Next Wave Competition
  • Liz Purchell
  • Kerry Deignan Roy
  • Drew Taylore
Short Films Competition
  • Brad Abrahams
  • Michelle Garza
  • Addison Heiman

2023

The 2023 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse in South Lamar, Austin, Texas from September 21 to September 28.

World premieres

30 Coins The All Golden Bark Blonde Death Crumb Catcher The Cult of AGFA Trailer Show Everything Is Terrible! presents 100 BEST KILLS: SATANThe Fall of the House of Usher I'll Crush Y'all Jackdaw The Jar Kill Dolly Kill The Last Stop in Yuma County The Last Video Store Messiah of Evil Mushrooms Pet Sematary: Bloodlines So Unreal Spooktacular! Stopmotion Strange Darling Suburban Tale There's Something in the Barn Totally Killer The Toxic Avenger V/H/S/85 Visitors Wake Up

International premieres

The Deep Dark Salem

North American premieres

Acid The Altman Method The Animal Kingdom The Book of Solutions Caligula: The Ultimate Cut The Coffee Table Door A Guide to Becoming an Elm Tree The Invisible Fight Mancunian Man: The Legendary Life of Cliff Twemlow One-Percenter The Origin The Other Laurens Project Silence Property Rage Restore Point Scala!!! Sri Asih: The Warrior Triggered UFO Sweden Infested

US premieres

100 Yards Baby Assassins 2 Cobweb The Fantastic Golem Affairs Kennedy Letters to the Postman Riddle of Fire River The Sacrifice Game She Is Conann Sleep The Strangler Tiger Stripes The Uncle

Texas premieres

Special screenings

Saltburn – Dream Scenario – Dogman – Saw X –

2024

The 2024 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse in South Lamar, Austin, Texas from September 19 to September 26.

World premieres

AJ Goes to the Dog Park Apartment 7A Bone Lake

International premieres

Binary Children of the Wicker Man The Draft! Frankie Freako Planet B Trizombie White Wieven
  • ''Zénithal''

North American premieres

Animale Baby Invasion The Black Hole Body Odyssey Dragon Dilation Gazer The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee Mads Maldoror Night Call Plastic Guns Queens of Drama

United States premieres

Bring Them Down Chainsaws were Singing Cloud Daniela Forever Dead Talents Society Else Escape from the 21st Century I, The Executioner Ick Párvulos Steppenwolf U are the Universe

Texas premieres

Baby Assassins Nice Days Carnival of Blood Chain Reactions A Different Man Girl Internet Show: A Kati Kelli Mixtape Megalopolis The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Respati
  • ''She Loved Blossoms More''

Austin premieres

Arab Genre Rises presentation

Down is the New Up How my Grandmother Became a Chair J'ai Le Cafard Last Days of the Man of Tomorrow Nation Estate Night Shift

Special screenings

The Babadook Big Top Pee-Wee The Birthday Disembodied The Fall The Guest The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!!? Mac and MeThe Mission Nine Queens Raze Satan War Wake in Fright Saturday Night – The Apprentice – Heretic – Better Man – The Creep Tapes –

2025

The 2025 festival took place at the Alamo Drafthouse in South Lamar, Austin, Texas from September 18 to September 25.

World premieres

Bad Haircut Black Phone 2 Body Blow Camp Coyotes Crazy Old Lady The Creep Tapes The Curse Dawning Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon Decorado Dinner to Die For Disforia Dolly The Evil That Binds Us Haunted Heist Ikatan Darah Luger Meat Kills Night Patrol Penance Primate The Restoration at Grayson Manor Road to Vendetta Shrine of Abominations Silver Screamers Sisu: Road to Revenge The Strangers - Chapter 2 Theater is Dead The Tree of Knowledge V/H/S/Halloween Vicious The Vile Whistle
  • ''A Woman Called Mother''

International premieres

13 Days Till Summer The Holy Boy Nesting
  • ''The Man''

North American premieres

Appofeniacs Beast of War Bulk Crushed Deathstalker Dracula Her Will Be Done The Piano Accident The Plague

US premieres

Don’t Leave the Kids Alone Find Your Friends The Forbidden City Fuck My Son! Honey Bunch The Ice Tower Marama Mother of Flies Obsession Shelby Oaks Sirat
  • ''A Useful Ghost''

Texas premieres

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Night Stage

Special screenings

Angel’s Egg - Repertory ScreeningBefore the Fall - Repertory ScreeningBride of Re-Animator - Repertory Screening, World Premiere of 4K RestorationBugonia - Secret ScreeningChocolate - Repertory Screening, Premiere of 35mm PrintCruel Jaws - Repertory Screening, Texas Premiere of RestorationDildo Heaven - Repertory Screening, World Premiere of RestorationEmbalmer - Repertory Screening, World Premiere of PreservationFolies Meurtrieres - Repertory Screening, World Premiere of RestorationFreaked - Repertory Screening, World Premiere of 4K RestorationGood Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die - Secret Screening, World PremiereHide and Go Shriek - Repertory Screening, World Premiere of 4K RestorationOne Battle After Another - Secret ScreeningSilent Night, Deadly Night - Secret Screening, World Premiere