Fantastic Fest News & Interview with Harry Knowles

Then, sometime around May or June of last year, Paul Alvardo-Dykstra and Tim McCanlies approached Tim League with the notion that it was ridiculous that Austin didn't have a pure ass-kicking genre film festival. McCanlies offered to help back the festival, and around that time, Tim League called me up to ask if I'd be interested in joining the crew of magic elves that he was putting together to bring this geeky wish to life. The other magic elves were Kier-La Janisse, who had done an amazing job programming Cine-Muerte in the Frozen Tundra of Canada, and, of course, Matt Dentler, the programming wizard of SXSW.

At that point, Tim League, Matt Dentler, Kier-La Janisse and I really began to put our heads together and, in the best tradition of Fab Fours, set out to do the impossible, which was to throw a condensed version of what we hoped would one day be a great thriving festival... in basically only 2 months. Luckily, after several virgin sacrifices and glasses of mead, I believe we succeeded. However, as much as we love last year's festival, I, at least, feel that this is truly the first year of Fantastic Fest. Last year was an appetizer, the test run to see if wanted to really do this. It had its bumps and its wild successes, but this time, we've really got something "Fantastic" in store for Austin. Austin deserves this!

For the first Fantastic Fest, you were responsible for programming the amazing and very under-seen Strings. Are there any flicks this year that people might overlook that you would like to highlight?

Well, first off, I have to say that I advocated for the programming of Strings, but it was Matt Dentler who actually secured that film after I suggested it. Fantastic Fest is a team effort that way. We each help one another to bring what we all want to see play at the fest.

However, films not to miss. Well, we all know the big titles like The Fountain, Bug, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, The Woods, and Roman. And we definitely have some awe-inspiring secret things that will show during the fest that attendees should have their ear to ground to hear about so they don't miss them.

Jeff Mahler's Inside is a tiny film that shows what a first time filmmaker can do with a small budget and a risky unknown cast. It already won the top prize at L.A.'s Dances with Films Festival, so the secret is beginning to leak. But, this isn't a big genre film. In fact, I'd say there's almost zero blood at all in the film. It's a psychological suspense thriller with some very effed up twists. But in the end, this is one of those quirky small films that just twists with your mind and makes you acknowledge that you didn't feel safe while watching it.

I also have to say do not miss The Host, the Korean film from the director of Memores of Murder. If you would: imagine what Steven Spielberg circa Close Encounters of the Third Kind would have done had the film's major plot device been a giant monster from a polluted river. I know that sounds hilarious, but it isn't. It's taken 100% real. Imagine if you and your family were picnicking on the shores of Lake Travis, and suddenly a monster of enormous size began to kill and devour and make disappear untold numbers of victims on July 4th Weekend. Imagine you were there. That someone you loved was taken. Imagine the grief and the ongoing fear of what was in the lake. And that's just the beginning. This is a brilliant programming choice by Matt Dentler.

I'd also like to highlight Hamster Cage, Severance, Wilderness, Hatchet and Abominable. Those five films represent Tim League, Matt Dentler, Kier-La Janisse and myself, at our most fun, audience-pleasing programming best. If you like to jump, laugh, scream and clutch the person next to you. You really can't do better.

That's a good start. But pay attention to AintItCool.com and FantasticFest.com and the audiences at Fantastic Fest to hear what the real surprises of the fest are. Often times, we programmers get as shocked as the rest of you.

You're holding a top-secret AICN screening? Is there any chance you might be able to drop an oh-so-obscure hint as to what might be in store for the audience?

Well, if all goes well there may very well be two top-secret AICN screenings. The one on Wednesday... and possibly another on the weekend. An obscure hint? No, I'm a real rat-bastard when it comes to secret screenings. All I'll say is... think about the Fantastic Film you would most hope to see at this event. Look at the APPLE Trailer sites, pour through AICN, and look for a film or two that you'd kill anonymous Austin Tourists to see. For many of you, that's what we're planning to show.

Austin is starting to feel like a mecca for film lovers. A lot of this is thanks to you and AICN, the Drafthouse, filmmakers like Robert Rodriguez, etc. But in your opinion, why is Austin such a cool place for movie makers and movie lovers?

Honestly, we've got the best gad-dern audiences in the whole bleeding world. The city is such an awesome place to get people to come to. The food, the music scene, Barton Springs, the University of Texas, our video stores (not Blockbuster or Hollywood Video). This is an entertainment oriented and educated community. I grew up in Austin, born and raised. The town is filled with beautiful women who are extremely well educated. Only an idiot wouldn't want to come here.

People are coming to Austin from all over the world for this years FF. Could you recommend a few of your favorite Austin places that out-of-towners might want to visit between movies?

First and foremost: tip your wait staff at the Alamo Drafthouse and all the eateries in Austin. One of the great things about this city is the amazingly cool waiters and waitresses that serve this city. You don't have to valet at the Alamo South, so instead, spend that money tipping and being cool. This is a cool city. Be cool in it.

• Well, they're already going to be spending a majority of time at my favorite place in Austin, The Alamo Drafthouse. They're film fans, so I'd recommend the Harry Ransom Center on the University of Texas Campus, where they can see the first photograph ever made. And I'm not sure if they're on display right now, but several of the costumes from Gone With the Wind are often on display over there.
• I'd recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Chuy's or Trudy's to experience Tex-Mex Austin Style.
• For the best Texas cooking - I'd recommend eating at Texas Chili Parlor (get a big bowl), Threadgill's (Endless Seconds on Veggies) and Hoover's (try the Coconut Cream Pie and Smothered Fried Pork Chops).
• For BBQ, I'd day-trip to Lockhart and feast or head out to the Salt Lick for family style, or hit Black's or Stubb's or Ironworks, or hell...Ruby's or Green Mesquite or... hell, Elgin or... We like our BBQ.
• Go swim in Barton Springs and realize -- you should live here.
• For late night coffee, check out Spiderhouse with their free WiFi and awesome Christmas light atmosphere.
• Experience the massive awe-inspiring Whole Foods Headquarters.
• Check out Book People and Half-Price Books in town for an amazing selection of books to pour through.
• For the best comics, check out Austin Books and Dragon's Lair.
• For the Best toys, hit Hog Wild or Atomic City. If you lost your rosebud, it's there.
• If you're a music lover, hit Waterloo Records.
• If you want something sweet, hit Amy's Ice Cream and get a free Crush'n if you can guess their Movie Quote on the Chalkboard.
• Stare at the Frost Bank Building.
• Stare at the Governor's Mansion, and cry at the birthplace of "W" Evil.
• Buy some Austin Art's and Crafts at the 23rd Street Renaissance Market.
• Throw pigeon food at tykes at Zilker Park and watch them get devoured by pigeons. That's my fave past time.
• For breakfast, check out Omelettry and get an omelet and a side of the vegetarian chili... nit'll blow your mind.

The rest I keep secret. This is the best town I've ever been to, and I've been, literally, all over the world.

For more information and to buy badges, visit the Fantastic Fest website.