Celebrating is 22nd edition, Fantasia enjoyed an excellent attendance in 2017. For the ninth consecutive year, the festival succeeded in attracting more than 100,000 spectators. Attendees were able to enjoy 124 feature films, 226 short films, over 178 paid and 20 free screenings. Over 77 of these were sold out, a record year proving the consistent interest of our audience.
Its 2018 edition was marked by a particularly original and rich lineup. With 31 World and International Premieres, the festival opened with Daniel Roby's DANS LA BRUME and closed with Panos Cosmatos' MANDY, starring Nicolas Cage, and Kam Ka-Wai's BIG BROTHER.
We are proud to have presented the World Premiere of David Paradis' Quebec film LE NID, the Canadian premieres of Montreal's own RKSS' SUMMER OF 84, Aneesh Chaganty's blockbuster SEARCHING. Independant films have also rocked our screens with the World Premiere of Isa Mazzei and Daniel Goldhaber's CAM, which was acquired by Netflix during the festival. The legendary Joe Dante attended to receive the premiere of NIGHTMARE CINEMA, where he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the screenings of his classics, GREMLINS and THE HOWLING.
Other noteworthy events include the presence of Sam Elliot, who was recently nominated for an Oscar for his performance in A STAR IS BORN, of Quebec director Yves Simmoneau, who received the Denis Héroux Award for his exceptional contributions to the development of genre cinema in Quebec, and of actress CYNTHIA ROTHROCK, first recipient of the Action! award.
Over 700 special guests attended the festival during this event, from which over 400 participated in the Frontières Co-production Market. Once again, the festival was covered by prestigious media such as VARIETY, INDIE WIRE, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, SCREEN, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and LE MONDE.