When Mathieu Fortin’s The Parrot Isn’t Squawking Release Me, Release Me….

…that’s because it’s being held captive by Bell Media! It’s not a bad thing, but when The Parrot needs to spread his wings, and tell all, let’s hope this producer has plans to expand this bird’s reach.

The Unearthly Notes The Parrot PosterBefore reviewing Mathieu Fortin’s The Parrot, and again afterwards, I had to search online and hunt through my various books examining the themes common in H.P. Lovecraft’s fiction. I wanted to see if there was any mention of talking birds revealing the secrets of forgotten cults before moving forward. I knew this filmmaker’s idea came from The Notes and Commonplace Book of H.P. Lovecraft. While there are no specific mentions of a parrot in the book, the ideas are certainly there.

The most telling lines from the public-domain scan are the following. On page three, it reads: “As dinosaurs were once surpassed by mammals, so will man-mammal be surpassed by insect or bird—fall of man before the new race.” Page eight offers two tantalizing clues. The line that inspired this work reads, “[A] talking bird of great longevity—tells secret long afterward,” but I suspect Fortin drew upon more than that single note. Another speaks of “Ancient and unknown ruins—strange and immortal bird who speaks in a language horrifying and revelatory to the explorers.”

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The Last Jiangshi Short Film Breathes New Life Into an Undead Legend

The Last Jiangshi pairs an ancient member of the living dead with a modern grad student for an unusual comedic adventure. This affectionate Mr. Vampire homage finds humour, melancholy and sympathy within its supernatural mythology.

The Last Jiangshi Short Film PosterI had to save reviewing Yu Chih Chieh’s comedic short film, The Last Jiangshi, for Ghost Month rather than earlier, because it’s appropriate. Just what this work explores is the clash of beliefs, and if this member of the living dead is to survive to today, Lao Li (Benyu Zhang) may no longer have blood to feast on. Instead, it’s whether he and Jie (Alex Zhong), a grad student, can survive as the ultimate odd couple!

There’s even a taoist priest waiting to pounce on the unlikely partnership, and banish the nightstalker to the other side! In what’s amusing is the sympathy that’s quickly generated. Li doesn’t like what he’s become. He just wants to live and understand this world.

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Is It Doxxing or Foxing Kitsuné-Tsuki? When Depression and Imagination Run Wild

Takeru Shinozuka’s Foxing Kitsuné-Tsuki explores creative burnout through an animator who may be haunted, or protected, by a playful fox spirit. It’s a thoughtful animated short about depression, criticism and rediscovering the spark to create.

Foxing Kitsuné-Tsuki animated short film poster
Foxing Kitsuné-Tsuki played as part of the Anime no Bento 2026 shorts program on July 18, 2026.

Although the title of Takeru Shinozuka’s animated short, Foxing Kitsuné-Tsuki, seems deceptive, that’s because this creature can be deceptively sinister or be a true trickster at heart. But that depends on which cultural lens this member of the canine family is viewed from. For this animator turned first-time director, the story he tells about life at an animation studio looks authentic; from being told what to do despite objection to having creative burnout, these pressures are real!

That’s what this work really focuses on. By the time Shinano (Wataya Miho) comes home, she can’t do anything without repeating sensei’s wax-on, wax-off training. The muscle memory is there, but not the spark. Koyami (uncredited online) is the trickster spirit who keeps saying, “Draw me instead. I need more expression.” But for this woman, she’s ready to call it quits! And her story about thinking she’s been possessed by a fox spirit is not traditionally recognized. Continue reading “Is It Doxxing or Foxing Kitsuné-Tsuki? When Depression and Imagination Run Wild”

With The Short, “Borbulha “(Pimple), It’s Best to Not Say Pop Goes The World….

At Fantasia Film Festival 2026, it’s best not to show up late to skip the short films screened alongside the feature. And there’s also all the wonderful curated programs too. We look at Pimple, one popper of a work….

Official poster for Fernando Alle’s Borbulha (Pimple)Fernando Alle’s Borbulha (Pimple) is a masterstroke in bringing the absurd to life. When this short film also delivers a courteous message about dealing with bullies, perhaps its strangest turn concerns the language used. Yes, He-Man would blush, but considering what happens, I feel this Adult Swim-style piece works.

Although this film feels like a compact demo reel highlighting what this Portuguese filmmaker loves most. It also reveals his fondness for creating campy, Troma-style examinations of life’s complexities. Or should I say Astron-6? Both comparisons work because what’s presented is so thoroughly old-school 80s that it reminds me of Weird Science.

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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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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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