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Tim League's Fantastic Fest Kicks Off Today Down in Austin!

by Alex Billington
September 24, 2009

The third and final festival in my epic 28-day tour is Fantastic Fest that takes place from September 24th to October 1st down in Austin, Texas. This is my second year attending and it's one of my favorite festivals. Why? First off, because it's unlike any other film festival out there. And secondly because it takes place at the world famous Alamo Drafthouse, only the very best movie theater in the entire world (not even joking about that). Every time I come down to Austin, I just love being here and I fall in love with the Drafthouse all over again. Thankfully I get to spend 8 days watching crazy films at the Drafthouse for Fantastic Fest.

Fantastic Fest is a fest that specializes in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. It is the brainchild of Tim League, the founder of the Alamo Drafthouse, and AICN's Harry Knowles. While their line-up does feature a few major festival carryovers (like Antichrist, Solomon Kane, Bronson, and A Town Called Panic) it also features a pretty crazy selection of genre flicks and short films that I've actually been looking forward to for a long time (a few of my picks are below). There are also always a few secret screenings that even I don't know what they are yet (but they will be very big films).

The films I'm looking forward to seeing this year include: Jared Hess' Gentlemen Broncos, Jonathan Auf Der Heide's Van Diemen's Land, Tom Shankland's The Children, James McTeigue's Ninja Assassin (for a second time), and, of course, Jesus Franco's The Bare Breasted Countess (which I have no clue what it is, but it just sounds awesome). There is also a brand new sneak preview of footage from Cameron's Avatar, screenings of Toy Story 1 & 2 in 3D, and a showing of Trick 'r Treat (which is already one of my favorite horror films). There is probably a lot more happening that I don't know about yet as well.

If you're looking for more great articles about Fantastic Fest, FSR has at least two: 20 Must See Films and my personal favorite How To: Survive Fantastic Fest. WAMG also has their own 10 Must See Movies article as well. I'll be doing my very best to bring you some coverage of the fest over the next week, so stay tuned!

Filed under Editorial, Fantastic Fest 09

From around the web:

http://wearemoviegeeks.com scott

i love you billington.
Andrew

I'll be at Gentlemen Broncos tonight. Can't wait. Woot woot!
Vold

What is so good about this theater? You've peaked my interest but left me hanging.
http://www.bleepinggeek.com Pete the Geek

The Alamo Drafthouses are one of the places that everyone should visit before they die. It's a movie theater, but you have a small bar/table in front of your seat and they serve a full compliment of food and drinks throughout the movie (very discreetly as well, it doesn't take away from the movie at all). There is nothing better than having someone politely bring you beer after beer throughout a movie (or wine, or cocktail, or mixed drink, etc). Plus, the food is excellent. I sometimes go to a movie there just for the Philly cheesesteak and "5 dollar milkshake". Enjoy Austin, Alex! Maybe we'll run into each other at some point.
Sabes

Alamo Drafthouse is awesome. All the cool stuff happens in Austin, too bad I don't live in that area anymore.