Fantastic Fest 2023: Celebrating 20 Years of Genre Film Excellence in Austin, TX
Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience as Fantastic Fest, the largest genre film festival in the U.S., returns to Austin, Texas from September 18-25, 2023. This year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary, and it promises an incredible lineup that includes 45 world premieres, 15 international and North American premieres, and 13 U.S. premieres.
The festival will kick off with the highly anticipated world premiere of Primate, directed by Johannes Roberts, and conclude with another world premiere, Whistle, from Corin Hardy, known for his work on The Nun. Other major highlights include Sisu: Road to Revenge from Stage 6 Films and Screen Gems, Vicious starring Dakota Fanning, Black Phone 2 from Universal and Blumhouse, Shelby Oaks, the Cannes jury prize-winner Sirât, and The Strangers – Chapter 2 from Lionsgate, among many others.
In addition to an impressive film lineup, Fantastic Fest 2023 will feature a variety of exciting events. This year introduces Fantastic Pitches, a new initiative providing $100,000 in funding and a global distribution deal through genre label Chroma to support emerging filmmakers. Attendees can also look forward to a heavy metal performance by Castle Rat during the opening night party, a celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Masters of Horror, a fundraiser for The Transgender Film Center, a Ghoulish Book Fair, and a medieval drag show, among other engaging activities.
Prominent jurors for this year include actor Patton Oswalt, director Fred Durst, and acclaimed author Otessa Moshfegh, as well as notable festival figures like Lisa Ogdie from Sundance and Mònica Garcia Massagué from the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival. Festival Director Lisa Dreyer expressed her excitement, stating, “Fantastic Fest is turning 20, and we’re transforming the festival into an eight-day celebration of cinematic excellence and excess. We’re thrilled to showcase an unprecedented number of world premieres this year while continuing to champion independent filmmakers.”
Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann added, “We’re excited to celebrate 20 years of Fantastic Fest at Alamo Drafthouse. This festival was born from our passion for genre and horror films, and we’re honored to be the launchpad for both studio partners and independent creators.”
Stay tuned for more updates, as additional films will be announced leading up to the festival. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at some of the standout titles featured this year:
- 13 Days Till Summer (Poland, 2025) – Two siblings and their friends battle for survival against a masked killer in their home.
- Angel’s Egg (Japan, 1985) – A stunning 4K restoration of this masterpiece by Mamoru Oshii makes its U.S. premiere.
- Bad Haircut (USA, 2025) – A young man’s bizarre haircut leads him into a night of unimaginable chaos.
- The Curse (Japan, Taiwan, 2025) – A girl uncovers dark secrets linked to social media after traveling to Taiwan to investigate a friend’s death.
- Whistle (Canada, Ireland, 2025) – A group of high school students discover a cursed Aztec object that unleashes a terrifying fate upon them.
With a diverse array of films and events, Fantastic Fest 2023 is set to be a remarkable celebration of genre cinema. Don’t miss your chance to experience the thrill of film culture in Austin this September!
