Preview
EXOFEST: CALGARY INTERNATIONAL HORROR FILM FESTIVAL
Opens February 28
Garry Theatre
If all goes well this week, Calgary’s first-ever horror film festival may finally awaken from its own nightmare.
The chief organizer for the event, Exofest curator David Bond, held back on releasing any information about the festival’s lineup this winter, then bumped Exofest’s January opening to February 14 because he was paranoid that other festivals would nab his original programming. As he informed Fast Forward, he thought the February date was a done deal – unfortunately, no contract had been signed with the proposed venue, Canyon Meadows Cinemas.
Once again, the festival was rescheduled, a new venue was located, and Exofest will now take place at Inglewood’s Garry Theatre.
"We’re trying to give Calgarians the best possible films we can," says Bond. "And now we have everything from the quiet, creepy ghost story to the most gory. I think everyone will find something they’re really happy seeing."
Bond says that all contracts with the Garry have been signed, sealed and delivered (even allowing for a possible extension beyond March 9), but a few of the festival’s films still have to be classified by Alberta Film Classification.
"Right now I think that there’s about five films left to classify, and things have gone really smoothly with the board so far," says Bond. "We’ve been leaving films with them on an almost daily basis, and we have the option for them to view them as late as the day of the screening."
No matter what ratings the board gives the films, Bond’s making things easy by giving the festival its own 18-plus rating, meaning no one under 18 will be admitted to the screenings.
By postponing the festival, Bond has lost some films and visiting directors, but Exofest still promises two Calgary films and an international lineup of horror movies from countries like Japan and Spain.
Before you head down to the festival, check for the revised schedule and information at www.exophagy.com/exofest/. |
