5 Films to Check Out at The 2023 Phoenix Film Festival

 IT’S FESTIVAL TIME AGAIN!!! THE PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 23-APRIL 2, 2023

 

The Phoenix Film Festival alongside the International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival is my favorite time of the year. Looking at this year’s schedule has gotten me particularly excited. On any given day, you can show up to support first time filmmakers, showing off their unique and fresh voices. And then, celebrate the latest efforts from established and cherished voices like Kelly Reichardt’s SHOWING UP or Paul Schrader’s MASTER GARDENER.

And don’t forget to stop in and check out the Party Pavilion. I like to wander about the tent and browse all the Silent Auction items. Or hang out and listen to the Filmmaker Panels.  Kid’s Day and Film Prom are back this year.

The festival takes place March 23^rd – April 2^nd, 2023 at the Harkins Ciné Capri.

OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL

Directed by Ellie Foumbi

Screening Times: Friday, March 24^th @ 1:10 PM, Saturday, March 25^th @ 7:05 PM, Sunday, March 26^th @ 2:00 PM

An African refugee in a quiet French mountain town recognizes the new Catholic priest from her past. Her past trauma resurfaces, forcing her to chose between the peace she’s found and the revenge she desires.

 

SATANIC HISPANICS

Directed by Mike Mendez, Demian Rugna, Eduardo Sanchez, Gigi Saul Guerrero & Alejandro Brugues

A horror anthology assembled by five filmmakers from various parts of Latin America. When police in El Paso raid a house, the find it full of dead Latinos and a lonely survivor know as The Traveler. During questioning, he tells a series of horrific tall tales about legends of Latin America.

STARRING JERRY AS HIMSELF

Directed by Law Chen

Screening Times: Monday, March 27^th @ 2:25 PM, Thursday, March 30^th @ 9:25 PM

Jerry, a recently divorced immigrant in Florida is recruited by the Chinese police as an undercover agent. His family documents the saga.

HUNDEREDS OF BEAVERS

Directed by Mike Cheslik

Screening Times: Friday, March 31^st @ 4:15 PM, Saturday, April 1^st @ 9:25 AM, Sunday, April 2^nd @ 2:10 PM

A drunken applejack salesman must defeat hundreds of beavers to become North America’s greatest fur trapper in this 19^th Century silent slapstick epic. By the makers of 2018’s LAKE MICHIGAN MONSTER.

 

THE ANGRY BLACK GIRL AND HER MONSTER

Directed by Bomani J. Story

Screening Times: Friday, March 31^st @ 6:30 PM, Sunday, April 2^nd @ 5:15

Death, police brutality and substance abuse all play a huge roll in Vicaria’s world. After seeing her mother and brother succumb, she fights back, by bringing the dead back to life.

5 Films to Check Out at The Phoenix Film Festival

 IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!!! THE PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 31-APRIL 10, 2022

 

It’s my favorite of time of the year again. The Phoenix Film Festival alongside the International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival opens up in just a few days!!! I’ve been excited for this for a long time.

I’ve put together this quick post, highlighting some of the coming features that I’m most excited about this year. These are just a small handful of the films that I’ll end up seeing in the very near future. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention how exciting it is to have the Party Pavilion back this year. I like to wander about the tent and browse all of the Silent Auction items. Kid’s Day and Film Prom are back this year. And don’t forget to check out some of the Filmmaker Panels.

For me, The Phoenix Film Festival is certainly not only about the films. There are a handful of amazing people in the community that I only see once or twice a year. I always overschedule myself for the films because I know that inevitably, I’ll miss a screening or two because I’d rather catch up with someone over a taco at Cien Agaves, or an Americano and dessert from Café Pino. I’ve only grown to cherish these interactions more and more as the years go by so if you see me walking around, come say hi. I’ve been missing you.

The festival takes place March 31^st – April 10^th, 2022 at the Harkins Ciné Capri.

 

THE GRAND BOLERO

Directed by Gabriele Fabbro

Screening Times: Friday, April 1^st @ 12:05 PM, Saturday, April 2^nd @ 9:30 AM, Sunday, April 3^rd @ 4:50 PM, Tuesday, April 5^th @ 12:15 PM

An Italian ‘romantic thriller’ that takes place during the Covid-19 lockdown about a pipe organ restorer. The trailer shows a beautiful marriage of sight and sound that I’m very excited to experience on a big screen. Winner of Best Feature at the Apra International Film Festival as well as the Open Jury Award at the Linea d’Ombra Festival. I’ve got a good feeling about this one.   

 

DOWN WITH THE KING

Directed by Diego Ongaro

Screening Time: Friday, April 1^st @ 7:10 PM, Friday, April 8^th @ 11:45 AM

I think I first starting listening to Freddie Gibbs’ music when he recorded Piñata with Madlib. He has a unique sound that oozes talent. I was quite surprised to see that he stars in a film at the festival. Everything I’ve heard excites me about his performance. Winner of the Audience Award at the American Film Festival and the Grand Special Prize at the Deauville Film Festival.

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT

Directed by Tom Gormican

Screening Times: Saturday, April 9^th @ 7:30 PM

I don’t really see why I should articulate why I’m excited for this film. I am not a closeted Nic Cage fan… And I’m certainly not one that appreciates his work on an ironic level. No, I am an out, loud and proud admirer of his career and have been for many years. This feels less like a film and more like an invitation to a new Cage fan club meeting. And I’m pretty OK with that.

 

LET ME BE ME

Directed by Kyle Westphal

Screening Times: Saturday, April 2^nd @ 4:40 PM, Tuesday, April 5^th @ 9:50 PM

I always find great docs at the festival. This looks like the most interesting one on this year’s slate. It looks to be a feel good story about the successes of some form of radical autism therapy. I’m down for that, all day.

WE BURN LIKE THIS

Directed by Alana Waksman

Screening Times: Friday, April 8^th @ 4:30 PM, Saturday, April 9^th @ 2:10, Sunday, April 10^th @ 12:00 PM

I’ve been impressed with the work of Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs since her performance in the criminally underrated RHYMES FOR YOUNG GHOULS. Her star is on the rise now thanks to FX’s “Reservation Dogs” series and I’m excited to see it continue. Plus, the subject matter her feels rather poignant. This film won the Jury Prize at the Buffalo International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature as well as the Ruth Landfield Award at the Fargo Film Festival and Alana Waksman took home the Best Emerging Film Maker Award at the Woods Hole Film Festival.

5 Films to Check Out at International Horror/Sci-Fi Film Festival

2022 International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival

5 Films to Watch

By: Theresa Dillon

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 

That’s right – it’s International Horror/Sci-Fi film Festival time!

The line-up of films from showcase features to competition features and shorts are incredibly diverse and unique. I can already tell it’s going to be hard to choose a favorite film this year.

If you’re not sure where to start when buying your tickets, here’s the 5 films I’m most excited for.

1. PIGGY

Written/directed by Carlota Pereda

I watched this gem during Sundance and absolutely loved it! 

Quick Synopsis:

In a rural Spanish town, Sara hides away in her parent’s butcher shop as her excess weight makes her the target of incessant bullying. Then on one hot summer day, Sara flees a clique of capricious girls who torment her at the town pool, only to stumble upon them being brutally kidnapped by a stranger, who drives off with them in his van. When the police begin asking questions, Sara keeps quiet.  

I believe this film should be required viewing for all teenage girls and recommend a mother/daughter movie night.

2. GATLOPP

Directed by Alberto Belli

Written by Jim Mahoney

Horror/comedy, in my opinion, is one of the hardest mixed genres to get right. But this one was very well written, acted and just a lot of fun all around when I viewed it.

Quick Synopsis:

A group of friends reunite for an evening after one of their own has a gnarly divorce. As it's been almost a decade since they were all together, waxing nostalgic, they decide to play a drinking game. But this is no ordinary game; if they don't bond together to confront their past, they'll be forced to play the game for eternity.

If you’re a horror fan looking for a fun date night movie for your non-horror fan significant other, this is a great pick that you’ll both enjoy. 

3. LUX AETERNA

Written/Directed by Gaspar Noé

Gaspar Noé returns with another mind-bending experience about witches? Count me in!

Quick Synopsis:

Two actresses, Béatrice Dalle and Charlotte Gainsbourg, are on a film set telling stories about witches - but that's not all. Lux Æterna is also an essay on cinema, the love of film, and on-set hysterics.

Noé always makes my drop so I’m looking forward to another intense trip with him.

4. BASHIRA

Written/Directed by Fong Nickson

If you haven’t noticed yet, I have a soft spot for foreign horror as I personally feel they produce some of the most dynamic, beautiful stories. The poster alone sends chills down my spine

Quick Synopsis:

An electronic musician and a troubled fan are plunged into a hallucinogenic nightmare where they must confront an ancient Japanese entity - capable of bending space and time and wreaking havoc and death - in order to save their souls.

BASHIRA is one of three horror competition features at ISHFF. Why not do a triple feature day (hint – April 8) and share your rating of this year’s features!

5. MOON HEART

Written/Directed by Aldo Salvini

I’m not quite sure what to make of this interesting Peruvian, sci-fi feature but I’m intrigued. 

Quick Synopsis:

M is an old woman who lives adrift. She spends her days dreaming about her past, until one day she finds something very similar to her: an ant. And what does a person do when they find an ant? You crush it with your finger, you blow it away. Instead, M decides to share her world with it. A world made of nostalgic memories and a dark presence that haunts her, until the day a "mechanical angel" arrives to help her. 

This could be end up being a great commentary piece on abandonment and aging.

Festival Information

International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival 

Phoenix Film Festival

Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theaters

March 31 - April 10

Tickets: PhoenixFilmFestival.com