Beyond Fest, heralded as the best film festival in Los Angeles, is back for its 13th edition, kicking off on Tuesday and running through October 8.
The festival, produced in partnership with the American Cinematheque, will showcase over 90 features across various venues including the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, and Los Feliz 3.
This year’s opening night features the U.S. premiere of acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s satirical thriller, “No Other Choice,” while the festival will close with Yorgos Lanthimos’ sci-fi film “Bugonia.”
A notable highlight of Beyond Fest is a comprehensive retrospective of 12 films by Guillermo del Toro, including a black-and-white version of “Nightmare Alley,” with the filmmaker himself attending select screenings.
The festival is known for blending genre films with prestigious selections that appeal to a broad audience.
This year’s lineup includes Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” the Palma d’Or-winning film from the Cannes Film Festival, and Oliver Laxe’s “Sirāt,” which won the jury prize at Cannes.
Both films will have their West Coast premieres.
Additionally, the festival features an array of high-profile international titles such as Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt,” Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent,” and Bi Gan’s “Resurrection.”
Radu Jude’s updated take on “Dracula,” along with a late addition of a 70mm screening of Mona Fastvold’s “The Testament of Ann Lee,” which recently debuted in Venice and Toronto, will also be shown.
While expanding its programming, Beyond Fest stays true to its roots in the genre film realm, showcasing dark thrillers and horror films.
This year, audiences can look forward to films like Scott Derrickson’s “The Black Phone 2,” Kenji Tanigaki’s “The Furious,” and Gore Verbinski’s “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die.”
The festival will also feature the West Coast premieres of Aziz Ansari’s “Good Fortune” and Tina Romero’s queer horror-comedy “Queens of the Dead,” marking the debut of George Romero’s daughter.
Beyond Fest is not just about showcasing films; it’s also about the shared theatrical experience.
Grant Moninger, cofounder of Beyond Fest and artistic director of the American Cinematheque, emphasizes that the festival fosters a unique environment where audiences come together to celebrate cinema.
“You’re all together, you’re just celebrating cinema and going through all the emotions together,” Moninger stated.
Potential surprises await festival-goers, with one exciting event being Tom Stern’s documentary “The Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt,” about the legendary Texas punk band.
Scheduled for the Egyptian Theatre’s opening night along with Park’s film, members of the band will participate in a Q&A moderated by Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison.
As speculation arises about the possibility of a live performance by the Butthole Surfers, Stern noted, “Who knows what could happen?”
Reflecting on the band’s impact, he mentioned that their performances during the 1980s and ’90s included elements of danger and unpredictability, aligning perfectly with Beyond Fest’s ethos.
In addition to the del Toro tribute, the festival will feature actor William Petersen in Q&As after screenings of two notable 1980s crime thrillers: Michael Mann’s “Manhunter” and William Friedkin’s “To Live and Die in L.A.”
Star power will be abundant this year, with appearances by genre legend John Carpenter, who will present a 70mm screening of his classic “Big Trouble in Little China.”
Al Pacino will grace the festival for a 35th anniversary screening of Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy,” while Rob Reiner will showcase a double bill of Stephen King adaptations featuring “Stand By Me” and “Misery.”
Tim Robbins is set to speak after screenings of Adrian Lyne’s “Jacob’s Ladder” and Robert Altman’s “The Player,” enriching the festival experience.
Beyond Fest will also feature restored classics in the horror genre, including a new 4K restoration of Tobe Hooper’s “Salem’s Lot” and the international premiere of a 4K restoration of Abel Ferrara’s “Ms. 45.”
The festival will also showcase a world premiere 4K restoration of Ruggero Deodata’s “Cannibal Holocaust,” along with a renewed version of Rob Zombie’s “The Devil’s Rejects.”
Beyond Fest is gaining more attention as the local rep house scene experiences a renaissance, according to cofounder Christian Parkes.
He highlighted the diverse tastes of younger audiences who embrace a wide range of films, mixing international festival hits with genre classics.
“There’s a very loose seal of approval that we’re putting on this,” Parkes commented.
The emphasis on audience engagement and satisfaction remains a priority for Beyond Fest, with programmers always looking for films that resonate with attendees.
The Los Feliz 3, known for its free screenings, will feature a variety of new genre films including the world premiere of Ned Crowley’s western “Killing Faith” and the U.S. premieres of Eric Owens’ thriller “In A Cold Vein” and Julie Pacino’s psychological horror “I Live Here Now.”
A West Coast premiere of Kenji Iwaisawa’s animated “100 Meters” and the West Coast premiere of Lucile Hadžihalilović’s “The Ice Tower” will contribute to a diverse slate of offerings.
Evrim Ersoy, head of programming at Beyond Fest, emphasized the importance of providing space for unique filmmakers sharing innovative stories.
The genesis of Beyond Fest dates back to 2013 when Parkes approached Moninger, claiming he could book the iconic Italian band Goblin for their first-ever L.A. performances.
“I walked up to Grant and I told him I had a film festival,” Parkes recalled, admitting he initially had just an idea rather than an actual festival.
Moninger reminisced about how passion grew during that inaugural year, with audiences already inquiring about a potential second year before the first festival had concluded.
Past editions have honored notable figures such as David Cronenberg and Dario Argento, with last year’s festival featuring a memorable 30th anniversary screening of “Speed” with original stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
Ersoy shared the intricate planning involved in this year’s tribute to Japanese actor Meiko Kaji, recognizing her importance in cult films like “Lady Snowblood.”
“That seems impossible or too hard” are not phrases uttered within the organizing team; instead, they pursue every lead out of passion.
Further pushing the boundaries, the festival will host the West Coast premiere of Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” a psychological exploration of motherhood featuring Rose Byrne.
The film resonated with audiences, quickly becoming one of the initial sell-outs when tickets went on sale for this year’s event.
Parkes reflected on the evolving meaning of genre, highlighting how filmmakers and audience tastes change over time.
He noted that Beyond Fest plays an essential role in fostering discussions about genre and its future.
The festival’s annual tagline, “The People’s Republic of Beyond Fest,” aptly captures the spirit of inclusivity and diverse programming that welcomes all kinds of cinematic experiences.
As Beyond Fest continues to expand, it also ensures a place for nostalgic films like the North American premiere of Mike Nichols’ “The Day of the Dolphin,” a thriller involving dolphins in an assassination plot against the president.
“My friends text me about ‘The Day of the Dolphin’ — they don’t text me about all these other great films,” Moninger remarked, emphasizing the quirky yet binding nature of the festival.
The eclectic mix of screenings, appearances, and experiences at Beyond Fest last year, along with its focus on celebrating cinema, promises to make it a treasured event for film lovers in Los Angeles.
image source from：latimes
