Founded in 2013, Beyond Fest is “the new kid on the shock block that’s emerged as the best attended in the U.S., mixing classic films like a 4K restoration Suspiria with current fare like the west coast premieres of Better Watch Out and Mohawk,” says a panelist. Its relative infancy hasn’t sent A-listers running for the hills, either: Killer guests like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edgar Wright, and Jackie Chan host screenings, and support from their partners at American Cinematheque place this baby’s lineup in some of L.A.’s most treasured theatrical venues. And if all that sounds too sunny and star-studded for you, you can make your plans around retrospectives of gritty classics with old-school genre giants like Dario Argento and Walter Hill in attendance, waiting to share their production stories, tricks and tips.
Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrates the 30th anniversaries of Predator and The Running Man at Beyond Fest. Photograph courtesy of Beyond Fest
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Loved reading this, especially seeing Roger Corman, Larry Cohen(THE STUFF), Michael Moriarty(Q THE WINGED SERPENT), Adrienne Barbeau(ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) and more recognizable memorable greats in film. Thanks for sharing!
Who knew there are so many fests dedicated to horror. Excited to have these in my conscious reservoir to keep up with their output in the future.
I felt it could have had more members to the panel more diversity of people who head to the larger fests as well as the rest. Of course there will be interweaving festivals but this list primarily focuses on larger ones but does not include many of the fests who r in the mid part of the US among other things.
Don't get me wrong, I'm Not putting down what this article is and contains. For me, it's not a piece that shows festivals that are on the rise or in the tier below many of these. Have nothing but respect for panel and the writer. No doubt more incarnations to come ... ;)
Missing Nightmares FILM FEST!!!
Solid list, but missing the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival is a huuuuge oversight. One of the best genre film festivals in Europe since 1983! One of the few festivals I've been to worldwide that truly has unique, internal festival culture. Really fosters a sense of community.
Other stuff worth mentioning includes:
Shockproof (Prague)
Next Fest (Los Angeles)
PUFF (Philadelphia)
Telluride Horror Show (Telluride, Colorado)
I feel like this is not a complete list of the best genre fests! some of these are all genre fest with a horror event thrown in. What about my favorite one Shriekfest? I've been submitting and involved with that fest for years now and they treat everyone great! The fest director is the best I've ever met!