From the shadows of the unconventional to the spotlight of Melbourne and Sydney cinema screens, Fantastic Film Festival Australia (FFFA) makes a triumphant return with its fifth edition, set to unfold from 17 April to 10 May 2024. This year, FFFA promises an even more vivid spectacle of the weird, wonderful, and wholly unexpected, solidifying its reputation as a panoramic celebration of new and provocative films that dare to venture beyond the cinematic norm.
FFFA 2024 emerges as a daring and cutting-edge cinema showcase, presenting a treasure trove of films that challenge, amuse, and provoke. With an eclectic program featuring 24 feature-length films and 14 short films from Australia and around the globe, attendees can expect a kaleidoscopic showcase of the world’s most exhilarating voices in cult, genre, arthouse, and alternative cinema.
Artistic Director Hudson Sowada elaborates on this year’s selection, “We’re proud to present 24 premieres, from the thrilling to the surreal. Each film has been meticulously chosen for its unique ability to transport, provoke thought, and entertain. Our 2024 selection is a testament to our commitment to showcasing films that are not only visually striking but also challenge our audience’s expectations.”
This iteration sees the festival spread its wings further, returning to the Ritz Cinemas in Sydney and the Lido Cinemas in Melbourne, and debuting a selection of FFFA titles at a new satellite venue, the Thornbury Picture House in Melbourne’s north.
The festival’s opening night is set to captivate with the Australian premiere of Sting, directed by Sydney’s horror maverick Kiah Roache-Turner (Wyrmwood). This old-school monster movie brings an eight-legged nightmare to life with a stellar Aussie cast. The evening will be complemented by drinks, a DJ, and a Q&A session with Roache-Turner, promising an unforgettable start.
Other program highlights include the audacious Dogman by Luc Besson, described as a delightfully dark mix of Taxi Driver, Beethoven and Home Alone, and the 4K restoration of the action-packed classic The Raid. The program also features Cannibal Mukbang, a deranged love story unique to FFFA, along with special anniversary screenings and Q&As, such as the 30th anniversary of Metal Skin with a new breathtaking 2K restoration.
Exploring the gothic and the surreal, The Vourdalak and Divinity, among others, promise to enthrall attendees, while Krazy House, fresh from its Sundance premiere, offers a darkly comedic dissection of the American dream. The festival’s penchant for pushing boundaries is further highlighted by its array of special events, including the much-loved nude screening, this year featuring The Naked Gun.
The festival will close with the 15th-anniversary screening of Gaspar Noé’s Enter the Void, accompanied by an original live score from Sydney-based electronic artist Corin, ensuring an immersive experience that marries the film’s psychedelic exploration of life after death with captivating soundscapes.
With a lineup that traverses Lynchian surrealism, experimental narratives, horror, sci-fi, black comedies, and arthouse gems, FFFA’s 2024 program is a bold invitation to explore cinema’s outer edges. Tickets are now on sale, offering cinephiles a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in groundbreaking cinematic experiences. Visit www.fantasticfilmfestival.com.au for more information.