It’s almost time again to return toBeyond Fest, the biggest annual festival celebrating the best in genre filmmaking. Only two weeks remain until doors open on September 25 for its 12th edition packed with 82 features, including 16 world premieres, 4 international premieres, 1 North American premiere, 3 U.S. premieres, and 25 West Coast premieres along with a bevy of special screenings. With the festival just around the corner, the full schedule was unveiled today withGary Dauberman’srecently resurrected Max adaptation ofSalem’s Lotset to make its world premiere as the opening title. Japanese auteurKiyoshi Kurosawa’s new filmCloud, meanwhile, has been given closing night honors.
While horror has a prominent place at Beyond Fest, the 2024 iteration is packed with films from across a wide variety of genres presented by the indie banner Neon in partnership with American Cinematheque. Among the bigger premieres is the international debut ofMy Hero Academia’s new movie,You’re Next, which is coming offa white-hot 370 million yen ($2.5 million USD) debutin theaters in Japan. It’s set to arrive in North American theaters on October 11 and will see Deku and the rest of Class 1-Apitted against the wicked Dark Mightwho seeks to twist the legacy of the world’s greatest hero. Leading the West Coast premieres will beBrady Corbet’s historical dramaThe BrutaliststarringAdrien BrodyandFelicityJones, which just enjoyed its debut at the Venice International Film Festival. It joins other buzzy festival titles likeSean Baker’s Palme d’Or winnerAnora, theAmy Adams-ledNightbitch,Steven Soderbergh’sPresence,Jesse Eisenberg’sA Real Pain, andDamien Leone’s hotly anticipatedTerrifier 3among other high-profile screenings.
AlongsideSalem’s Lot, the world will also be introduced toJimmy and Stiggs, the new full-throttle nightmare fromChristmas Bloody ChristmasdirectorJoe Begos. Two of the biggest premieres won’t be new films, however, but new cuts of old films that have been awfully hard to watch until now. Horror maestroMike Flanaganand starKate Siegelwill be in attendance to show off the never-before-seen “Shush” cut of their chilling home invasion thrillerHush, whichis finally returning to streaming soonand willalso release on digital and Blu-ray. Also bursting back onto the scene with its West Coast premiere isThe Fallwith the 4K Ultra HD restorationdirectorTarsem Singhhas long desiredfrom Mubi. He’ll also appear in person to show off the restoration of another of his features,The Cell.
Beyond Fest Will Be Packed With International Cinema and Anniversary Screenings
Beyond Fest will again also put the spotlight on international cinema that otherwise might be overlooked in the U.S. JoiningMHA: You’re Nextin that category isDevara: Part 1, the newest Indian actioner starringRRR’sN. T. Rama Rao Jr. Spanish filmmakerGalder Gaztelu-Urrutiawill get a double bill with his sci-fi thriller sequelThe Platform 2and the starryRich FlufeaturingJonah Hauer-KingandMary Elizabeth Winstead. Also loaded up is a black-and-white showcase of the King of Monsters, withGodzilla Minus One/Minus ColorandShin Godzilla: Orthochromatic.
The showcase wouldn’t be complete without revisiting some genre classics and Beyond has some heavy hitters lined up. Plenty of big-name guests will be in attendance to celebrate their films, includingLeigh Whannell,Tobin Bell, andCary Elwesfor the originalSaw,Jennifer Kentfor the10th anniversary ofThe Babadook,Sam Raimifor a triple feature ofDarkman,The Quick and the Dead, andDrag Me to Hell, and 12 members of the originalThe Texas Chain Saw Massacrecast and crew to give it a proper Hollywood premiere for its 50th anniversary.Guy Maddin, Shane Black, Al Pacino, Kyle MacLachlan, Sarah Paulson, andRon Perlmanare all confirmed to make appearances as well. Finally, the festival will mark a big reunion, withJan de BontjoiningKeanu ReevesandSandra Bullocktocommemorate 30 years of the action classicSpeed.
Beyond Fest will return to the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, Los Feliz 3, and Vista Theatre this year from September 25 through October 9. Tickets are now available to purchaseat the event’s official website. Check out the full lineup of programs below.
Beyond Fest 2024 Program
Egyptian Theatre
DEVARA: PART 1
Special Screening
Director: Koratala Siva
Country: India
Runtime: 165 minutes
HUSH - Shush Cut
World Premiere
Director: Mike Flanagan
Country: United States
Runtime: 87 minutes
Guests: Director Mike Flanagan in attendance
LAKE MUNGO
International Premiere - 4K Restoration
Director: Joel Anderson
Country: Australia
Runtime: 89 minutes
Guests: Special introduction by director Mike Flanagan
Special Screening - 30th Anniversary - in 35mm
Director: Tim Burton
Runtime: 127 minutes
Guests: Screenwriters Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander in attendance
THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE
Special Screening - 50th Anniversary - in 35mm
Director: Tobe Hooper
Runtime: 83 minutes
Guests: Writer Kim Henkel, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Actor Teri McMinn, Actor Edwin Neal, Actor
William Vail, Actor Allen Danziger, Actor John Dugan, Production Manager Ron Bozman, Post-Production
Sound Supervisor Wayne Bell, Actor Ed Guinn, Sound Recorder Ted Nicolaou, Editor Larry Carroll, Camera
Assistant Michael McClary in attendance
CHAIN REACTIONS
West Coast Premiere
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
Runtime: 103 minutes
Guests: Director Alexandre O. Philippe in attendance
Special Screening - in 35mm
Director: Sam Raimi
Runtime: 96 minutes
Guests: Director Sam Raimi in attendance
THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
Runtime: 108 minutes
DRAG ME TO HELL
Runtime: 99 minutes
West Coast Premiere - 4K Restoration
Director: Tarsem Singh
Country: United States, India
Runtime: 117 minutes
Guests: Director Tarsem Singh in attendance
TERRIFIER 3
Director: Damien Leone
Runtime: 128 minutes
IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE
Director: Greg Jardin
Guests: Director Greg Jardin in attendance
THE PLATFORM 2
U.S. Premiere
Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Country: Spain
Special Screening - 20th Anniversary
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Runtime: 122 minutes
Guests: Actor Ron Perlman in attendance
Special 30th Anniversary Screening - Co-Presented by Rucking Fotten
Director: Alex Proyas
Runtime: 102
World Premiere - 4K Restoration
Country: United States, Germany
Runtime: 107 minutes
Special 20th Anniversary Screening
Director: James Wan
Guests: Actor Cary Elwes, Writer Leigh Whannell, Producer Oren Koules, Producer Mark Burg, actor Tobin
Bell in attendance
JIMMY AND STIGGS
Director: Joe Begos
Runtime: 78 minutes
Guests: Director Joe Begos and producer and editor Josh Ethier in attendance
Director: David Lynch
Runtime: 140 minutes
Guests: Actor Kyle MacLachlan in attendance
BLUE VELVET
Runtime: 120 minutes
THE HIDDEN
Director: Jack Sholder
Runtime: 97 minutes
GODZILLA MINUS ONE/MINUS COLOR
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Country: Japan
Runtime: 125 minutes
SHIN GODZILLA: ORTHOCHROMATIC
Director: Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi
Runtime: 119 minutes
MY HERO ACADEMIA: YOU’RE NEXT
International Premiere
Director: Tensai Okamura
Runtime: 110 minutes
Guests: Actor Daiki Yamashita and actor Kenta Miyake in attendance
EVENT HORIZON
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Country: UK, USA
Guests: Director Paul W.S. Anderson in attendance
SERPENT’S PATH
Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Country: France, Japan
Runtime: 113 minutes
Guests: Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa in attendance
Runtime: 118 minutes
Special Screening - 30th Anniversary Screening
Director: Jan de Bont
Runtime: 116 minutes
Guests: Director Jan de Bont, actor Keanu Reeves and actor Sandra Bullock in attendance
Aero Theatre Presented By Neon
SALEM’S LOT
Director: Gary Dauberman
THE BABADOOK
Director: Jennifer Kent
Runtime: 94 minutes
Guests: Director Jennifer Kent in attendance
THE NIGHTINGALE
Runtime: 136 minutes
SOUTHERN COMFORT
Director: Walter Hill
Runtime: 106 minutes
Guests: Director Walter Hill in attendance
TOTAL RECALL
Special Screening - in 70mm
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Director: Brian De Palma
Special Guests: Actor Al Pacino in attendance
HOLD YOUR BREATH
Director: Karrie Crouse, William Joines
Special Guests: Actor Sarah Paulson in attendance
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
Director: Sean Durkin
Runtime: 102 minutes
LETHAL WEAPON
Director: Richard Donner
KISS KISS, BANG BANG
Director: Shane Black
THE LAST BOY SCOUT
Special Screening - in 35MM
Director: Tony Scott
Runtime: 105 minutes
THE NICE GUYS
Guests: Director and writer Shane Black in attendance
THE APPRENTICE
Los Angeles Premiere
Director: Ali Abbasi
Country: United States, Denmark, Canada, Ireland
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Director: Wes Craven
Runtime: 91 minutes
Guests: Actors Heather Langenkamp, Lin Shanye, Amanda Wyss and Ronee Blakley, moderator Barbara
Crampton in attendance
MELVIN GOES TO DINNER
World Premiere - HD Restoration
Director: Bob Odenkirk
Guests: Director Bob Odenkirk; Producer Naomi Odenkirk, Writer and actor Michael Blieden, Actor Stephanie
Courtney, Actor Matt Price, Actor Annabelle Gurwich, Producer DJ Paul, Producer Jeff Sussman, Director of
Photography Alex Vendler in attendance
NIGHTBITCH
Director: Marielle Heller
Runtime: 98 minutes
Guests: Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus of The Bechdel Cast in attendance
LITTLE BITES
Director: Spider One
Guests: Director Spider One, Actor Krsy Fox in attendance
V/H/S BEYOND
Director(s): Jordan Downey, Christian and Justin Long, Justin Martinez, Virat Pal and Kate Siegel
Runtime: 114 minutes
Guests: To be confirmed
A REAL PAIN
Director: Jesse Eisenberg
Runtime: 90 minutes
BRING THEM DOWN
Director: Christopher Andrews
Country: Ireland
A BOY AND HIS DOG
Director: L.Q. Jones
Guests: Actor Don Johnson in attendance
THE HOT SPOT
Director: Dennis Hopper
Runtime: 130 minutes
Director(s): Guy Maddin, Galen Johnson, Evan Johson
Country: Germany, Canada
Guests: Directors Guy Maddin, Galen Johnson and Evan Johnson in attendance
THE GREEN FOG
Country: Canada, United States
Runtime: 63 minutes
THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD
Director: Guy Maddin
Country: Canada
Runtime: 100 minutes
Guests: Director Guy Maddin in attendance
BRAND UPON THE BRAIN!
THE BRUTALIST
West Coast Premiere - in 70MM
Director: Brady Corbet
Country: United States, United Kingdom, Hungary
Runtime: 215 minutes
Guests: Director Brady Corbet in attendance
Country: Spain, United States
Director: Steven Sodebergh
Runtime: 85 minutes
Runtime: 124 minutes
Runtime: 45 minutes
Neon Theatre at Los Feliz 3
DANIELA FOREVER
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
North American Premiere
Director: Moin Hussain
Country: UK
Runtime:: 91 min
THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE
Director: Magnus Van Horn
Country: Denmark
Runtime: 115 minutes
Director: Joshua Erkmann
Guest: Director Joshua Erkmann, Producer Hugh Barbier, Actor Sarah Lind in attendance.
A MAN ESCAPED
Director: Robert Bresson
Country: France
Guest: Director Jennifer Kent in attendance.
American Cinematheque’s weekly “Sunday Print Edition” Series
THE LAST SACRIFICE
Director: Rupert Russell
Country: United Kingdom
Guests: Director Rupert Russell in attendance
Director: Fabrice Du Welz
Country: France/Belgium
Runtime: 155 minutes
ABOVE THE KNEE
Director: Viljar Boe
Country: Norway
Director: Jean-Luc Herbulot
Country: Senegal
Guests: Director Jean-Luc Herbulot and actor Hus Miller in attendance
CINEMATIC VOID PRESENTS: A BELL FROM HELL
Director: Claudio Guerín Hill, Juan Antonio Bardem
Director: Joseph Sims-Dennett
NIGHT CALL
Director: Michiel Blanchart
Country: France, Belgium
WHO’S WATCHING
Director: Tim Kasher
Guests: Director Tim Kasher, Producer Josh Ethier in attendance
Terrorvision Secret Screening
World Premiere of 4K Restoration
Director: xxxx xxxxx
Country: xxxxxx xxxxxx
Runtime: xx minutes
Guests: Director and Actor in attendance
A RARE GRAND ALIGNMENT
Director: Cinqué Lee
Country: Finland
Runtime 93 minutes
US Premiere
Director: Can Evrenol
Country: Turkey
GHOST KILLER
Director: Kensuke Sonomura
SHADOWLAND
Director: Otso Tiainen
Guests: Director Otso Tiainen and producer Kalle Kinnunen in attendance
Director: John Frankenheimer
Guest: Director Joe Begos in attendance
AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK
Director: Toby Jones
Runtime: 79 minutes
Guest: Director Toby Jones and members of cast in attendance
ESCAPE FROM 21st CENTURY
Director: Yang Li
Country: China
NIGHT SILENCE
Director: Bartosz M. Kowalski
Country: Polad
Runtime: 88 minutes
A MOTHER’S EMBRACE
Director: Cristian Ponce
Country: Brazil
Salem’s Lot
In Salem’s Lot (2024), writer Ben Mears returns to his childhood town to craft a novel, only to find that its residents are being transformed into vampires. As the sinister forces grow, Ben and a group of allies must confront the malevolent presence threatening to consume the entire community.
