By Emery Snyder
The Phoenix Film Festival alongside the International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival is upon us once again and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve been attending since 2011 and I can honestly say that my experiences with these festivals have been better and better over the years. My hat is off to the festival directors and all the dedicated personnel that put this together and I extend my most sincere congratulations on this milestone anniversary. Bravo!
Typically, I’ll give a list of films I’m most excited about.
But this year, I’ve switched it up a bit. My schedule this year is, as usual,
insanely ambitious and there are loads of films I’m extra excited about. But
over the past 14 years of attending, I’ve developed a few insights and tricks
to get the most out of my time and experience. I thought this could be a great
time to share. So, let’s take a look at the 2025 Phoenix Film Festival: Pro Tip
Edition.
The festival takes place March 27th – April 6th,
2025 at the Harkins Ciné Capri.
PRO TIP #1 – Don’t Sleep on The Docs
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Every year, I make a schedule of all the
screenings I’m going to attend. I tend to put documentaries in as filler, never
too excited about them. Then, every year, multiple doc screenings blow me away
and end up favorites of the festival. Last year it was David Redmon &
Ashley Sabin’s KIM’S VIDEO and Hadley Austin’s DEMON MINERAL. Previously, we’ve
been treated to films like Skye Borgman’s ABDUCTED IN PLAIN SIGHT, Hassan
Fazili’s MIDNIGHT TRAVELER, Penny Lane’s HAIL SATAN? and Scott Gawlik’s SET!.
The list is extensive. This year, I’m looking forward to Dan Struman’s THE STAMP THEIF as well as Vincent DeLuca’s DESERT ANGEL but there is more than a
good chance that I’ll be amazed by something else that’s not even on my radar at
the moment.
PRO TIP #2 – IHSFF Is Your Friend (or maybe even like a cool
older cousin)
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The International Horror & Sci-Fi Film
Festival is held every year in conjunction with the Phoenix Film Festival and
it somehow seems to keep getting better. Coralie Fargeat was nominated for
Academy Awards this year in both the writing and directing categories for her
work on THE SUBSTANCE. Well, we festival goers were treated to her first film,
REVENGE way back in 2018. In previous years, I’ve seen Eli Craig’s TUCKER &
DALE VS. EVIL, Ryan Prows’ LOWLIFE, Shin'ichirô Ueda’s ONE CUT OF THE DEAD
& Bill Watterson’s DAVE MADE A MAZE all at this festival. These are all
films that I still revisit often. This year’s festival has new films from genre
stars like Joe Begos’ JIMMY & STIGGS and Alexandre O. Philipe’s CHAIN REACTION.
PRO TIP #3 – Short Films Are a Great Value
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Both the PFF and the IHSFF showcase different
blocks of interesting short films. For the PFF, I typically enjoy the Word
Cinema Shorts. I’ve got both A and B blocks on my schedule. But there is also
two blocks of African American Directed Shorts, as well as blocks of LatinXDirected, Native American Directed, GenXX Directed (women of GenX generation),
College Directed, LGBTQIA+ Directed, Live Action & Documentary Shorts. If
you’re purchasing single tickets this year or either of the Flex Passes, I
would highly suggest mixing in some of these short film blocks. This world has
no shortage of stories to tell and I’ve found some of the most fascinating
subjects explored from distinct perspectives that have stayed with me over the
years.
PRO TIP #4 – There’s More Than Just Movies
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At some point, you may fatigue of sitting in
dark theaters, staring at the dancing images illuminated on the screen. The PFFParty Pavilion is there to provide respite as well as a change of pace and
scenery. Come out for Filmmaker Panels, the Silent Auction, Industry Night and
Kid’s Day. And there’s even a Film Prom Saturday, March 29th that’s
friendly to all wallflowers. Check Theresa Dillion’s article for more
information.
PRO TIP #5 – Make Time to Eat
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Look, nobody wants to have their cinematic
experience interrupted by your grumbling tummy in the next seat. And take it
from me, this may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to fill your entire
schedule with films and activities and then you wonder why you’re so grumpy and
almost fell over when you tried to stand up to head to your next screening.
You’ve got to make time and a plan. Schedule meals. Luckily, there’s some great
options. Pino, right next door to the theatre, has great desserts and they make
a mean Americano. I also love the Bento Boxes from Bop + Roll and the Shawarma
from AZ Kabob House. And don’t forget to download the Harkins Theaters App onto
your phone and enjoy their concessions. You’ll earn points and rewards.
HAPPY FESTIVAL Y'ALL!!!
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