Category: Screenings

Cinemafantastique 5 Line-up

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Feature Films

anonymous animals (Les animaux anonymes) | Runtime: 1hr 4min.
Country: FRANCE
Written & Directed by: Baptiste Rouveure
Starring: Thierry Marcos, Aurélien Chilarski , Pauline Guilpain , Emilien Lavaut

produced by: anonymous animals films

The balance of power between man and animal is reversed.
In a remote countryside, any encounter with the dominant can become hostile.

CF5 anonymous animals – trailer from Darkside Releasing on Vimeo.

Bloodsucker’s Planet | Runtime: 1hr 7min.
Country: USA
Written & Directed by: Mark Beal
Starring: Joel Jeremy Herrera, Jessica Bell, Joe Grisaffi, Leni Mex, Adrienne Dobson, Allen Menefee, Logan Hooks, Catalina Querida, Charles Pitman, Cory W. Ahre

produced by: Mark Beal

In this ’60s retro prequel to the bizarro-noir Bloodsucker’s Handbook, Bloodsucker’s Planet follows the crew of the space ship Argosy as they respond to a distress signal from the industrial Planet Mara only to discover the planet is ruled by the sinister Mother Vampire. Along the way, they encounter disease-carrying Mara bats, a talking space roach, and Adrianna, the gynoid whose developing self-awareness is aided by her collection of vintage romance comics.

French Blood 1 – Mr. Pig | Runtime: 1hr 21min.
Country: FRANCE
Written & Directed by: Rodolphe Bonnet
Starring: Leslie Carles, Emmanuel Bonami, Sophie Chamoux, Yannick Laurent, Guilhem Tigny

produced by: Contrepoint Production / Cedric Bellut

FRENCH BLOOD is the first anthology horror films franchise ever
produced in France. FRENCH BLOOD will be presented in ten chapters, ten 80 minute-long films. It tells the story of a woman who was raped and left for dead by a gang of five men hiding behind masks: Mr. Pig, Mr. Rabbit, Mr. Frog, Mr. Sheep and Mr. Wolf. Now she’s the one to take up the mask and her revenge…This is the thread that leads from one movie to the other: HER revenge. In the first five chapters, she finds each one of her five abusers, and so wearing her mask she lets her anger and hurt loose. Every chapter of FRENCH BLOOD includes three to four short films, all of them dealing with the single storyline of the main character. It is neither necessary to watch the films in any specific order, nor to watch them all to understand what’s going on. For those who want to take the long ride, each feature film has to be considered as one piece in the puzzle.

Mid-length Films

Incredible Tale of the Spiritless Man (A Incrível História do Homem Desalmado) | Runtime: 29min.
Country: BRAZIL
Written & Directed by: Marcella C. De Finis
Starring: Joana Caetano, Tarcius Guedes, Rebeca Pieroni, Leidiane Marcelino, Vilma Melo, Flávia Espírito-Santo, Aníbal Trindade, Sophie Saphirah

produced by: Sergio Magraner, Guinevere Gaspari, Thereza Levenhagen

It’s true that he wasn’t aware of it yet, but when Julio woke up that morning, he was already spiritless. Bruna, the clever lady from the department store, on the other side, knew at the moment she laid eyes on him what was going on. Across town, it was already nighttime when a handful of lost spirits met in a pub, and a little girl just wanted to go back home. Somewhere between those places, a gypsy was waiting for the arrival of her niece accompanied by a spiritless man.

Siren | Runtime: 16 min.
Country: CANADA (BC Local)
Written & Directed by: Christopher Beaubien
Starring: Dalit Holzman, Erin Morgan, Eryka Alanna, Madison Isolina

produced by: Noah Penner, Christopher Beaubien

Driving on a highway late at night, distracted driver April (Dalit Holzman) and her combative lover Brooke (Erin Morgan) are pulled over for speeding by two sinister police officers (Eryka Alanna and Madison Isolina). During a strange and increasingly frightening interrogation, the two women find themselves under the power of a supernatural force that changes everything they ever knew about themselves… and each other.

Somatika | Runtime: 29 min.
Country: USA
Written & Directed by: Emi Electra
Starring: Amber Anne, Lance Waithe, Michaela Pace, Theo Kemp, Louis Tomani, Hunter Andrews

produced by: Emi Electra

Nera, a young artist/ sex worker with chronic nightmares, visits a sleep clinic in search of treatment – only to find herself trapped in a dark underworld of ritual “therapy” and abuse.


Short Films

Bark | Runtime: 6 min.
Country: CANADA
Written & Directed by: Ryan irving
Starring: Ryan Irvi, Anna Barker, Keith Kollee, Alexia Levigne

produced by: Ryan Irving

Two women desperately try to escape a stalking axe murderer through a city park. Unfortunately for them their only eye witness isn’t human… and he’s completely useless.

Blink | Runtime: 3 min.
Country: SPAIN
Written & Directed by: Carlos J Matos
Starring: Carolina Meijer, Christian Caner

produced by: Irene Montes

Darkness hides in all of us.

Cashed Out | Runtime: 12 min.
Country: CANADA
Written & Directed by: Michael Trainor
Starring: Ryan Robbins, Nicole Leier, Sharon Taylor, Tyler Burrows

produced by: Michael Trainor, Nicole G Leier, Brendan Uegama

A slew of questionable characters meet for an underground poker game; the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Deleted | Runtime: 5 min.
Country: CANADA (BC Local)
Written & Directed by: Jon Flahr, Benjamin Schuetze
Starring: Fraser Amyott, Carolyn Irwin, Adam Green, Jon Flahr, Benjamin Schuetze, Leo Hynes, Mike Laing, Sarah Devlin, Matt Hayashi, Adam Green, Geoff Livingston, Jeanne Nicolas-Sutter, Ira Hardy, Ashley Glover

produced by: Ashley Glover, Carolyn Irwin

You know those emails from the 90’s? The classic chain mail that promises everyone you love will die if you don’t forward it to 15 people within 24 hours…? This is the story of one such email.
A Vancouver video production office explodes in chaos and terror before your eyes as keyboards and paper cutters become lethal weapons and friends and coworkers become blood thirsty killers.

The Devil and I | Runtime: 9min.
Country: CANADA (BC Local)
Written & Directed by: Christopher Graham
Starring: Ariel Hansen, Jesse Inocalla, James Kingstone

produced by: Selena Raskin, Ariel Hansen

Set in 1845 Western Canada, the Devil and I follows Hannah as she finds herself making a dark deal to alleviate her feelings of heartbreak.

Dolls of the Void | Runtime: 8 min.
Country: UK
Written & Directed by: Tavarna Caris Garvey
Starring: Rachel lightfoot, Anna Moomin, Claudia Taylor, Tavarna Caris Garvey, Graveyard girl

produced by: Slime House

In this psychedelic melodrama, three desperate women attempt to fill the void inside themselves with lies, terror and treachery.
A Dazzling web of Drama! Decadence! and Death!

Don’t Sneeze | Runtime: 2 min.
Country: CANADA
Written & Directed by: Ryan LaPlante
Starring: Adam McNamara, Tom McGee

produced by: Ryan LaPlante, Tom McGee

Brian, a guy enjoying some “alone time”, sneezes at an inopportune moment and is shocked by the consequences.

Look Twice | Runtime: 8 min.
Country: USA
Directed by: Kyle Wilson
Written by: William Davis, Kyle Wilson
Starring: Darren Lee Campbell, Rick Montgomery Jr., Troy James

produced by: William Davis, Kyle Wilson

A night surveillance security guard spots a trespasser on the property; then regrets grabbing their attention once he realizes the intruder is paranormal.

The Minister | Runtime: 14 min.
Country: CANADA
Written & Directed by: Matt Parks
Starring: Matt Parks, James Mullinger, Shannon Parks, Rick Keleher, Kayla Hache, Eric Braun, John Forward

produced by: Shannon Parks, Rick Keleher, Eric Braun

In a futuristic 1999, a highly trained Vietnam veteran, now evangelical minister, goes on a mission of holy vengeance after his wife and child are brutally murdered.

Nepenthes | Runtime: 5 min.
Country: CANADA (BC Local)
Written & Directed by: Ariel Hansen
Starring: Ariel Slack

produced by: Selena Raskin, Christopher Graham

Max is desperate to make a meaningful connection, but when she decides to meet an online dating match at home she gets herself into a painfully sticky situation.

Playtime’s Over | Runtime: 11 min.
Country: USA
Directed by: Tony Reames
Written by: Todd Jacobs
Starring: Haley Leary, Evan Reames

produced by: Glenna Reames, Dion Liverpool, Ian Burke

The only thing Dee loves more than classic horror movies is terrorizing the babysitter. It’s New Years Eve, Dee’s parents are looking forward to one of the rare nights without their angel. Little does Laurie, the new babysitter know, the fifty bucks an hour won’t cover the years of therapy needed after spending one night with Dee and her stuffed friends.

Ramshackle Blues | Runtime: 12 min.
Country: CANADA (BC Local)
Written & Directed by: Sharai Rewels
Starring: Joel Dagenais, Nora Clarke, Mercedes Gendron, Louise Robinson

produced by: Sharai Rewels

Buckshot and Pearl are two serial killers on the run from the law, they are also in love. When they cross paths with a small town whore-house and its crazies, will their love be enough to save them from themselves?

Wrecked (Les Naufragés) | Runtime: 15 min.
Country: BELGIUM
Directed by: Mathieu Mortelmans
Written by: Cécile Delberghe
Starring: Cécile Delberghe, Babetida Sadjo

produced by: Paul Méranger et Giuseppe Conti

Amane is a lawyer. At a federal prison she questions Nina, who just started serving time. Each of them struggles with her own conscience and their meeting quickly takes an unexpected turn.

Vancouver Women in Film Festival March 3rd – 8th

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The Vancouver International Women in Film Festival returns this week! Hope you will be able to make it out to see some great films.  In addition to film screenings, the festival offers Artist Talks (free), VR experiences (free), post screening discussions, workshops, Galas and Receptions, an Award ceremony and an International Screenplay Competition.

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We are once again thrilled to be a partner with a special screening of “Riot Girls” by Canadian filmmaker Jovanka Vuckovic on Wednesday March 4th at 9:00pm!! Jovanka Vuckovic as well as producer Lauren Grant will be in attendance. For more information and tickets visit viwff.ca

Producer Lauren Grant will be hosting a workshop on: Genre Producing in Canada: A Case Study of Riot Girls on March 5, 2020 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM tickets available Info: viwff.ca

And don’t forget that that applications are still being accepted for this year’s WIFTV: From our Dark Side.

See you at the screening March 4!! #VIWFF2020

-N

Vancouver Short Film Festival is coming Jan 24-26, 2020

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VSFF_Tickets_Social Media ImageOnce again we are excited to Community Partner with the Vancouver Short Film Festival, who are bringing their great line-up (as always) of short film, video and animation from West Coast Canadian filmmakers!!

The 8th annual festival event will once again be at the Vancity theatre, and will kick things off Friday Jan 24, 2020 with a 10 year retrospective screening at 7pm, followed by the Opening Reception at 9pm; for ticket and pass holders. ( There will be wine and snacks too!!)

Saturday is a full day starting at 1:30pm and ending with the ever popular After Dark Programme at 10pm. (we will be in attendance for that!). Sunday programme starts a little later in the day at 3pm and the last programme starts at 6pm. If you are a ticket or pass holder you are invited to their Awards Ceremony and Closing Party at 9pm!!

Tickets are available through eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vancouver-short-film-festival-tickets-87061608615?aff=ebdssbeac

Wishing the filmmakers, attendees, and organizers all a great festival!!!

#VSFF2020 #KeepItShort

Here is a breakdown of the films appearing in this year’s After Dark Programme:

B’Y

DIRECTOR JOHN HOLLANDS / RUN TIME 7:30 MIN 

Newfoundland, 1840’s. In a house, perched on the edge of the world, a destitute but hopeful young man cares tirelessly for his bedridden mother. As her condition worsens, the boy is plagued with feverish visions as he is forced to confront the dark presence that has descended on the house.

DUÉRMETE NIÑO

DIRECTOR FREDDY CHAVEZ OLMOS / RUN TIME 9:30 MIN 

On an unsettling night in the 1940s, Alma, a religious mother of newborn twins, is constantly awakened by the disturbing sound of her crying babies. Using a new radio monitor to check on them from her bedroom, Alma encounters a series of unsettling events that might jeopardize even her own beliefs.

KILLING FOR SPARK

DIRECTOR MICHAEL SANGALANG / RUN TIME 10:40 MIN 

Two thirty-somethings find themselves in a rut. Work. Groceries. Laundry. Rinse. Repeat.  Another mundane day. Another trip home from the grocery store. Another meaningless fight in the car and an accident impacts their lives forever.  Reigniting their passion for life and one another in bloody love. First comes loathe, then comes murder.

FINDING URANUS

DIRECTOR IVAN LI / RUN TIME 7:00 MIN 

A Coming of Age Sci-Fi Film about Lost and Found

LIVE FEED

DIRECTOR STEPHANIE IZSAK / RUN TIME 5:00 MIN 

Chani has been streaming her party all night, enticing reluctant friend Keara to come. When their app starts glitching and an unexpected guest arrives, technology’s dark effect on our lives and our minds comes into a horrifying new light. Based on real technology found in our everyday lives, Livefeed is a playful cautionary nightmare giving new meaning to the work ‘cyberattack’.

WORDFLAY

DIRECTOR DUNCAN CARR, TYLER GILBERT / RUN TIME 7:00 MIN

A novice horror screenwriter is confronted by his own genre.

BLOW OUT

DIRECTOR DANIEL DAVID STEWART/ RUN TIME 7 MIN 
A comedy-horror about a woman finds a seemingly innocent balloon outside her front door. She brings it inside. Things get weird.

THE CHADDENING

DIRECTOR LEE SHORTEN, KATRINA SALISBURY / RUN TIME 5 MIN 
A young man moves into a college sharehouse only to find his new roomates aren’t what he expected.

….and We’re Back!!

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Cinemafantastique 5 is a go!!

We are so looking forward to another installment of Cinemafantastique! Our Cinemafantastique5 Film Freeway is up and running if you would like to submit your films. Once again we are looking for the weird and wonderful that make up the spectrum of Horror, Thriller, Sci-fi, and Erotic films…really we like anything that is on the Darkside (pun intended), so if you have an animation, drama, comedy, or a documentary film, you can submit that too!! Once again we would like to thank everyone for their patience while we attended to our Darkside adventures; we are excited to be back, and see what you talented folks have going on!

We’d also like to thank Richard and Samantha Lukacs of Crone Cult Pictures for the awesome photography we were able to use to make our graphics this year.

-N

 

Vancouver International Women In Film Festival Vancouver!! March 5-10, 2019

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We are delighted once again to be Community Partners with Women In Film + Television Vancouver for this awesome festival showcasing the very talented female filmmakers from around our globe. The festival is running March 5-10 at the Vancity Theatre in Vancouver, as well as film screenings, the festival offers a variety of ancillary programming including workshops, pitch sessions, panel discussions, artist talks, receptions, an awards ceremony and more.  You can check out the full film line-up and schedule over at Women In film + Television Vancouver.

For our Community Partner film this year, we have a talented director that has played numerous times at Cinemafantastique Film Festival over the years….drum roll please….!

From Vancouver Gigi Saul Guerrero’s  film  LA QUINCEAÑERA !!! Running time 70min.

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Alejandra’s life is about to change forever on the night of her quinceañera, a coming of age ceremony held on a girl’s fifteenth birthday. In this daring revenge tale, a young girl will learn the limits of resilience and strength as she is thrust into the most extraordinary of situations over the course of 24 hours. The director has been praised for innovative work in the horror genre and this work reflects her recognizable style of Tex-Mex grit with a touch of grindhouse and gore.

Don’t miss this BC PREMIERE screening on Saturday, March 9, 9:30 pm. There will be a Q&A with Gigi after the screening as well!! Checkout the trailer below. We will also be giving away 2 TICKETS to the screening via our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so be sure to like and follow so you know when that is happening!

Check out La Quinceañera’s  Facebook event page   and tickets are available now at Vancity Theatre – La Quinceanera

Also screening before La Quinceañera will be the North American Premiere of the short film Hearth by Quebec Director Sophie B. Jacques. Running time 11min

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A tension filled drama that follows Emillie as she returns home after renting her house to strangers. Will she discover what actually happened during her absence?

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See you at the Festival! #VIWFF2019