Fantasia is a legendary 18-day blow-out of worldwide fantastic cinema taking place each July in the heart of Montreal. An event hell-bent on showcasing the most exciting, innovative and individualistic examples of contemporary international genre cinema from every corner of the globe.
Located in the heart of beautiful Montreal, Fantasia is a cultural and professional destination point, and since its first edition, the festival’s ever-growing popularity has attracted the attention of the international film industry alongside a legion of attendees from across the world. Every facet of the filmmaking chain is increasingly represented with in-person delegates at the festival: directors, actors, producers, studio representatives, distributors and festival programmers, who get to experience the legendarily enthusiastic, taste-making audience of Fantasia.
Fantasia’s definition of genre cinema is broad and continually evolving; aligned with the European tradition of ‘genre’ as a challenging and elegant stream of cinema, the festival juxtaposes pop culture with alternative culture, and its distinct programming has enabled Montreal to radiate in the international film community. Renowned worldwide for the boundless energy of its creative team, the festival keeps audiences coming to the theatrical environment, enabling independent artists and distributors to have their work shown in a professional and enthusiastic milieu. While already widely considered to be one of the largest and most influential fantastic film festivals in the world, Fantasia looks forward to expanding on its achievements with more visiting filmmakers, industry attendees, global media impact, original critical writing through a monthly web magazine, and the introduction of a film market that will enable independent media artists to exchange ideas and to connect with patrons and audiences alike.
Fantasia offers a multitude of curated award opportunities for the films it showcases.
- CHEVAL NOIR COMPETITION
Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, The Sandro Forte Award for Best Motion Picture Score, Outstanding Performance Award, Special Jury Mention
- INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, The Sandro Forte Award for Best Motion Picture Score, Outstanding Performance Award, Special Jury Mention
- NEW FLESH COMPETITION
Best First Feature, Special Jury Mention
- SATOSHI KON COMPETITION
Best Animated Feature Film, Special Jury Mention, Best Animated Short Film - Gold, Silver, Bronze
- NORTHERN EXCELLENCE FOR BEST CANADIAN FILMMAKER
Best Feature Film Director, Special Jury Mention
- AQCC AWARD
Best Feature Film, Special Jury Mention
- POULAIN NOIR COMPETITION
Best Children’s Short Film - Gold, Silver, Bronze, Special Jury Mention
- L’ÉCRAN FANTASTIQUE AWARD
Best Feature ("Ecran Fantastique Magazine" Award)
- LES FANTASTIQUES WEEK-ENDS DU CINÉMA QUÉBÉCOIS COMPÉTITION
MELS Award for Best Short Film - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Special Mention
AQPM Award for Best Emerging Production in a Short Film, Special Mention
ARRQ Award for Best Direction in a Short Film, Special Mention
EVS Award for Best Emerging Direction in a Short Film
Royal Photo Award for Best Cinematography in a Short Film - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Special Mention
Fantasia Award for Best Performance in a Short Film, Special Mention
Canadian Cinema Editors (CCE) Award for Best Editing in a Short Film, Special Mention
Spira Award for Best Regional Short Film, Special Mention
Bam Music Award for Best Sound in a Short Film
Toon Boom Award for Best 2D Short Film
Dragonframe Award for Best Stop Motion Short Film, Special Mention
Coup de Coeur SLA Location Award for a Short Film
- AUDIENCE AWARDS
Best Asian Feature, Short Film - Gold, Silver, Bronze
Best International Feature, Short Film - Gold, Silver, Bronze
Best Canadian Feature, Short Film - Gold, Silver, Bronze
Best Quéebec Feature, Short Film - Gold, Silver, Bronze
Best Animated Feature, Short Film - Gold, Silver, Bronze