Beyond Fest 10th Anniversary screenings

For its tenth anniversary, Beyond Fest has assembled an impressive program of classics, cult films, new releases, and personal appearance. Though not exclusively a horror film fest, the exploitation vibe leans heavily in that direction, including brutal action movies, grim thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, and locks of scary movies.

Beyond Fest 2022 runs from September 27 through October 11, so think of it as a Halloween horror fest that arrives early. The festival opens with the West Coast premiere of Smile at the Aero, followed by a panel with the cast and crew. Closing night features Halloween Ends at Hollywood Legion Theatre. Overall, sixty-three feature films will screen in five theatres around Los Angeles, including Los Feliz 3, TCL Chinese, and IMAX Headquarters in Playa Vista.

Special events include a a Tribute to Imax at the company’s headquarters in Playa Vista, where Dunkirk, Gravity, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, and Mad Max: Fury Road will screen. On October 7-8, the Aero will host a Weekend of Horror premieres and restorations including The Beyond – Composer’s Cut, Kids vs. Aliens, A Wounded Fawn, and V/H/S/99.  The Los Feliz Theatre will present twenty-five free screenings, including premieres of such films as Vesper, Satanic Hispanics, Deadstream, and Medusa Deluxe.

Numerous filmmakers will appear. David Bruckner will answer questions after a screening of the new Hellraiser. William Shatner will attend a three-film marathon of Kingdom of the Spiders, The Devil’s Rain, and Impulse. Michael Dougherty will discuss Trick ‘r Treat; William Friedkin will attend a screening of Cruising; and there will be an in-person tribute to Park Chan-wook, including a triple-bill of his older work plus the West Coast premiere of Decision to Leave.

Other highlights include West Coast premieres of The Menu, Shin Ultraman, and Dario Argento’s latest horror-thriller, Dark Glasses.

Get more information at Beyond Fest 2022 – American Cinematheque.