A KILLER LINEUP: FIVE MUST-SEE FEATURES AT THEINTERNATIONAL HORROR AND SCI-FI FILM FESTIVAL

The International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival, held in conjunction with the Phoenix Film Festival, will once again deliver a thrilling lineup of bold, unforgettable genre storytelling. This year’s program features a dynamic mix of action, suspense, psychological terror, social satire, and body horror from exciting filmmakers around the world. Among the standout selections this year are: 

THE FURIOUS 

(Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Premiere Releasing) 

Screening: Thursday, April 16 at 6:45pmDirected by: Kenji TanigakiCast: Miao Xie, Joe Taslim, Yang Enyou, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga

When his daughter Rainy is abducted, humble tradesman Wang Wei is thrust into a deadly underworld of corruption and violence. His only ally is Navin, a relentless journalist haunted by his own past. Together, they fight their way through an international criminal network in adesperate bid to save Rainy and uncover the truth.

THE FURIOUS will open nationwide on Friday, May 29th, from Lionsgate Premiere Releasing.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/Avky8dVaqAI 

MÃRAMA 

(Photo courtesy of Dark Sky Films) 

Screening: Sunday, April 19 at 5:30pm Directed by: Taratoa Stappard Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter

1859. When a young, Māori woman is summoned from New Zealand to North Yorkshire, sheun covers the horrific truth of her colonial heritage, and she must destroy the titled Englishman who has devastated her family.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/0E6hLpW70yg 

GRIND 

(Photo courtesy of Yellow Vail Pictures) 

Screening: Saturday, April 18 at 7:55pm Directed by: Brea Grant, Ed Dougherty, Chelsea Stardust Cast: Rob Huebel, Barbara Crampton, Vinny Thomas, Jessika Van, Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette, James Urbaniak, Courtney Pauroso, James Paxton, Ify Nwadiwe, Aubrey Shea. This horror anthology tackles the modern work landscape through four timely perspectives –the hustle culture of an MLM, the endless repetitiveness of a food delivery driver, the online horrors of a content moderator, and the unionization of a familiar-feeling coffee shop. "Grind" shows what it means to be a worker in a world defined by wealth inequality and ruled by endlessly greedy oligarchs, one not so far removed from our own. This is a film for anyone who's ever hated their job, had a bad boss, or felt taken advantage of at work. In other words, it's a film for all of us. GRIND recently held its World Premiere at SXSW. 

FIFTEEN (Subtitled) 

(Photo courtesy of Avanti Pictures) 

Screenings: Friday, April 17 at 7:05pm; Saturday, April 18 at 9:55pmDirected by: Jack & Yossy ZaghaCast: Macarena Oz, Greta Martí, Aminta IretaIn this striking body horror tale, two best friends preparing for their quinceañera must navigatedesire, cruelty, and social pressure—until one girl’s body begins transforming into somethingmonstrous. FIFTEEN is a haunting coming-of-age story with a provocative edge. 

THE RED MASK 

(Photo courtesy of Stoic) 

Screenings: Saturday, April 11 at 7:45pm and Wednesday, April 15 at 6:50pm Directed by: Ritesh Gupta Cast: Helena Howard, Inanna Sarkis, Jake Abel, Kelli Garner THE RED MASK follows queer screenwriter Allina Green, who is hired to write the final installment of the Red Mask slasher franchise. But under mounting pressure and death threats, a secluded getaway with her fiancé turns deadly when uninvited guests arrive and a twisted game begins. The result is a suspenseful, self-aware thriller that plays with genre convention.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/JB-9eyuxo-E

The International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival continues to be a favorite destination for fans seeking the best in horror, sci-fi, and genre-bending cinema. It was recently included in DreadCentral’s top 40 list of best genre film festivals from around the world! This year’s featured films promise audiences a wide range of cinematic thrills, from high-octane action and psychological suspense to biting satire and monster-fueled terror.

For more information and tickets, visit www.phoenixfilmfestival.com.