Category: Local Events

Gotta Watch Them All. Fantasia Film Festival 2026’s Pearl Jubilee Top Selections! (Part Two)

In part two of our Fantasia Film Festival 2026 pre-event coverage, we dive into the zany and also include a blast of the past where needed.

Fantasia Film Festival 2026 poster
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

When certain must-see lists get way too large, it’s best to split things up or subsection. This fact is especially true when planning on what to see at Fantasia Film Festival 2026; when this year has a lot more short film programs added to the party, it’s safe to say some people won’t be sleeping. Some enthusiasts may well be running frantically to catch the next work on their itinerary.

No big intro is needed, and that’s because with this part, I’ve included two movies freely available on YouTube that are required viewing before part three is viewed on the big screen!

The Fox

The FoxSet in a parallel world where animals talk, hustle, swear, and scheme, The Fox opens with Nick (Jai Courtney, Dangerous Animals, The Suicide Squad) discovering that his fiancée, Kori (Emily Browning, American Gods, Sleeping Beauty), is cheating on him. Forced to accept that their relationship has run its course, he’s devastated.

Everything changes when Nick captures a fox (Olivia Colman, The Favourite, The Lobster), who offers him some unconventional marital advice in exchange for her freedom.

Her suggestion? Push Kori into a magical hole, where she’ll emerge transformed into a woman who adores him unconditionally and will never leave. Not exactly a man known for making wise decisions, Nick thinks it sounds like the perfect solution, completely unaware that a much bigger plan may already be unfolding. – Fantasia Film Festival

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Exploring Fantasia Film Fest’s Science Fiction Showcase 2026 Where Debates Are Sure To Rage

This year’s Science Fiction Showcase 2026 at Fantasia Film Festival is timely, especially as technology comes to head and AI is a topic to be debated.

Science Fiction Showcase 2026
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

At Fantasia Film Fest, the International Science Fiction Showcase 2026 edition shows why they are no strangers to exploring humanity’s relationship with the evolving world. It will be explored on July 19, at the Cinéma du Musée. During this presentation, presented are works from six countries with visioniaries who have tales to tell that examines humanity’s evolving relationship with technology.

From artificial intelligence to social media to virtual reality, these shorts examine the promises and pitfalls of innovation, offering glimpses into futures that may not be as distant as they seem. And perhaps those catching a look into a probable future may want to reconsider why that dystopia future isn’t that far off. Images are provided for those pieces that has my attention as must sees.

Algorithm

Algorithm poster

Evie (Leonie Federle) just broke up with her beau, and as a means to cope, she thinks confiding to an AI Algorithm, is a good idea. Not only is it a p0pular personal assistant, social media manager, and the voice of the smart home hub, but also it may be alive.

Well, that’s the idea. Howeverf, when that ex arrives to maybe mend fences, can Cora (Virginia Hartmann) deal with all the technology that’s around her? I won’t say if this work is one part horror and another part revenge fantasy, but it’ll have plenty of folks curious!

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Fantasia Film Festival at 30 Glorious Years! So What’s Worth Watching? (Part One)

There’s less than a week to get ready for Fantasia Film Festival 2026! Not only is it their pearl jubilee but also there may be cake to find too!

Fantasia Film Festival 2026 poster
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

When I think of Montreal, there are only a few words that pop into mind: Fantasia Film Festival. This year’s celebration promises to be huge because it’s their Pearl anniversary, and I’m sure not everything is being advertised. Some surprises must be in store for those attending this summer celebration of pop culture cinema.

As for what defines my top twenty works to see, this list comes after considering all of the short film programs. Since they also make up part of my overall picks, it felt important to cover them first before narrowing everything down to this final selection. The links go to Fantasia’s webpage, with showtimes and advance ticket purchase options.

Ancestral Beasts

Ancestral Beasts Movie PosterFour years after losing her mother, Elyse (Morgan Holstrom) still hasn’t recovered, and what she now has to face are the shadows of her past. That’s the gist I get from the marketing for this film. Not only is there an Indigenous angle, but also the idea of intergenerational trauma returning from beyond the grave. It may sound like a familiar haunted house tale on paper, but there’s clearly much more going on, including mental illness within local communities. To say more would reveal too much about why this film is a must-see.

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Don’t Be Afraid of Fantasia Film Festival On What Short Programs Are On Fire!

One staple of this film festival is their Are You Afraid of Fantasia short film program. It’s big, bad, and looks more promising than ever beforfe!

Afraid of Fantasia Film Festival 2026 poster
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

For some attendees, deciding what to focus on during Fantasia Film Festival 2026 will be tough. That’s especially true with ARE YOU AFRAID OF FANTASIA?, the first of three shorts programs I’m highlighting here. With this particular smorgaboard taking place at the Salle J.A. De Sève on the 17th of July, horror fans and folklore lovers should put this program high on their list.

What follows is a quick summary of what to expect from each short, followed by two other programs worth keeping on your radar. Like the prior article, I’ll highlight the three shorts I’m most excited for with an image.

Broc! (also known as Xi Lan Hua Shi Bian)
(Hong Kong, dir. Wong Chung-Him / Calvin Woo, Canadian Premiere)

In a world inhabited only by zombies, a couple begin transforming into humans after eating broccoli. As their world turns upside down, the question is what kind of absurdist world must they live in now? This work explores the fragile boundaries of identity and human nature, and if it turns out we’re all just vegetables meant to rot, then we’re in trouble.

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Our Ultimate Guide is Here! Spotlighting All The Essential Fantasia Film Festival 2026 Shorts You Can’t Miss

Fantasia Film Festival 2026’s shorts programs reveal a strong thread of folklore, mythology, cultural traditions, and strange discoveries. And in part one of a week long guide, we dive into which works we’re very eager to see:

Fantasia Film Festival 2026 poster
Event runs from July 16 to August 2, 2026. Montreal, Quebec.

In addition to a lot of cake, I believe Fantasia Film Festival 2026 has plenty of other treats in store for those headed to Montreal! Not only is this the festival’s 30th anniversary, but the programmers have pulled out all the stops to make every section feel special. Returning favourites like Hayop Ka! (review link) appear in the retro lineup, while three outstanding documentaries celebrate the craft of filmmaking. And yes, I’m sure plenty of fans will be cheering for The Origins of Ultraman too!

Before I get to my top twenty picks of the festival, I want to shine a spotlight on the various short film programs. While I haven’t had the chance to see every entry yet, I’ll be keeping an eye on YouTube and other streaming platforms to see which shorts become available internationally after the festival. Great discoveries don’t always come through the festival circuit alone. Sometimes they’re quietly waiting to be found online by those willing to dig a little deeper.

Along with a summary of each film, I’ve marked the title that has my attention with an image. Together, these selections reveal one of the biggest trends I noticed this year: folklore, mythology, and cultural traditions are woven throughout many of Fantasia’s short film programs.

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Free RPG Day 2026: The Dice, Minis and Quickstarts I Want Most

Free RPG Day 2026 returns with exclusive dice, miniatures, folk horror, cosmic dread, and beginner-friendly tabletop adventures worth hunting down.

Free RPG Day logoFree RPG Day is almost here, and it remains one of my favourite events of the year. I always look forward to picking up Quickstart rules that introduce players to new TTRPG worlds, and as always, I always pay attention to the hardware offered. Whether that is with dice, custom notebooks or miniatures, they turn the day into an adventure itself!

Not every item is simply available to grab. Participating stores set their own limits, and some may require a small purchase or participation in an in-store event. That is only fair, especially when it helps discourage unswarthy individuals from scooping up everything. For die-hards, though, spending the day at the store is part of the ritual. Many retailers host one-shots, giving curious newcomers a chance to try a game before committing to a full rulebook.

As for what’s noteworthy is what Marvel Comics is offering, a Secret Wars Expansion Preview for the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game. It includes a Battleworld adventure, an original map, and a glimpse at what the full tabletop experience will offer. I played TSR’s take on Secret Wars years ago, and a lot has changed in the lore since the Jim Shooter era. It was a fun time, and for the latest, I’m definitely wanting to check. As for what’s ahead, the following items are what I am most eager to find.

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