From the very first frame of Emilie Blichfeldt’s feature directorial debut, The Ugly Stepsister, it’s clear that we’re in for something far removed from the polished perfection of Disney’s animated fairy tales—or the chaos of whatever’s happening in The Twisted Childhood Universe. What Blichfeldt delivers instead is a brutal, beautifully crafted, and unsettling reimagining of Cinderella filtered through a lens of body horror, biting satire, and feminist fury. Set in a lush, live-action world that mimics the meticulous detail of a Disney production, The Ugly Stepsister feels like it’s been plucked from a dream—or a nightmare.
Read MoreBinary (2024) #FantasticFest
Binary is an intense and visually striking exploration of identity and inner conflict, merging body horror with a deeply personal narrative. Directed by David-Jan Bronsgeest, this 42-minute film tells the story of Nisha, a trans woman from Pakistan living in the Netherlands, as she grapples with her upcoming gender-affirming surgery. The film delivers a unique blend of psychological and supernatural horror, offering both visceral thrills and a thoughtful depiction of the complexities of self-discovery.
Read MoreTenants (2024)
Tenants, a film produced by 13th Floor Productions in association with EXIT 19 and Wallick Productions, brings an anthology of horror that weaves together seven terrifying tales within a single apartment complex. Directed by Blake Reigle, Jonathan Louis Lewis, Sean Mesler, and Buz Wallick, this 94-minute thriller follows one woman’s desperate search for her sister, navigating through the twisted stories of the tenants, each encounter spiraling into madness and terror. The premise is simple but effective: Joni, played by Mary O’Neil, is desperately searching for her sister Emily in a building that becomes stranger with each passing floor.
Read More