According to deputy director and programmer Tania Morissette, the 30th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival running from July 16 to August 2 in Montreal has seen overwhelming public demand force multiple screenings to add extra showtimes. Genre cinema enthusiasts packed screening rooms for high-profile titles like Yeon Sang-ho’s South Korean zombie film Colony and Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex And Death at Camp Miasma, highlighting the pull of avant-garde and horror productions.
Fantasia Festival Celebrates 30 Years of Genre Cinema in Montreal
The milestone 30th anniversary of the Fantasia International Film Festival brings international auteurs, short-film blocks, and masterclasses to local cinema houses. Running through August 2, the festival bridges the gap between boundary-pushing avant-garde cinema and accessible mainstream projects. According to festival organizers, the programming balances feature-length films and shorts from Quebec, Canada, and global markets, alongside dedicated animation tracks, restored classics, and family-friendly screenings.
High public demand shaped the schedule for the second weekend of the festival. Tania Morissette reported that enthusiastic crowds caused capacity issues across multiple venues. “There are a lot of representations that are at the maximum of their capacity, so we are adding screenings,” Morissette said regarding sold-out events such as the second morning screening of Los Vampires.
Did you know?
Director Nicolas Winding Refn returned to Fantasia for the festival’s 30th anniversary—marking two decades since his last appearance at the event—to open the festival with Her Private Hell and deliver a masterclass.
High-Demand Screenings and Masterclasses
Audiences scrambled for tickets to several standout international features, pushing programmers to schedule additional exhibition dates. According to festival management, Yeon Sang-ho’s zombie thriller Colony drew intense interest, alongside Jane Schoenbrun’s project, Teenage Sex And Death at Camp Miasma. Schoenbrun previously directed the 2024 hit I Saw the TV Glow.
Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, known for the 2011 feature Drive starring Ryan Gosling, kicked off the milestone anniversary by screening Her Private Hell. Refn also participated in the festival’s ongoing series of filmmaker masterclasses and panel discussions. Morissette noted that honoring directors who shaped genre cinema remains a primary goal for the anniversary program. Additional masterclass sessions include an upcoming appearance by Quebec director Robert Lepage on August 1.
Quebec Talent Spotlight and Sold-Out Local Productions
Local storytelling took center stage through thematic short film blocks shown throughout the festival’s weekends alongside widely distributed Quebec feature films. Harrison Houde’s production Tight Lettuce, starring Emmanuel Bilodeau, drew a packed house, matching the success of Wiebke von Carolsfeld’s thriller Someone’s Daughter.
Someone’s Daughter follows a defense lawyer trapped in a forest with a man accused of sexual assault whom she previously represented. Additional domestic highlights recommended by festival programmers include Louis Godbout’s parking-dispute dark comedy La Place, scheduled for July 29, and Vincent Bonin-Arena’s crime drama Les regards parallèles, slated for July 26.
Pro Tip for Festival-Goers
Due to high capacity and frequent additions of screenings for high-demand titles like Colony, check the daily festival schedule updates online to catch newly added morning and weekday showtimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Fantasia International Film Festival take place?
The festival runs from July 16 to August 2 in Montreal cinema venues.
What types of films are featured in the programming?
Fantasia highlights genre cinema, combining Canadian, Quebec, and international features and shorts, along with animation tracks, classic retrospectives, and youth programming.
How can attendees catch sold-out screenings?
Festival organizers monitor audience demand and frequently add extra showtimes for popular titles throughout the week, as seen with Colony and Los Vampires.
Join the Conversation
What are your favorite genre films at this year’s Fantasia festival? Drop a comment below, explore our related coverage of Montreal cinema events, and subscribe to our newsletter for daily updates.
Keep reading