Parties, Q&As and WTF Moments Await at What The Fest!?
What The Fest!? is a film festival, sure, but we’re so much more than just movie screenings. Are you looking for that little something extra in your film festival? You. Found. It.
Browse our running list of programs and read all about what’s in store for you after you get your tickets. (PS hope you like free drinks, zombies and, of course, SATAN.)
Opening Night: DEPRAVED (World Premiere)
Wednesday, March 20th, 7:00PM
Before the Film: When we celebrate at What The Fest!?, we go all in. Live music (Brooklyn’s own New Orleans-style funk/jazz Hot Hand Band!) gets the party started out on the sidewalk, and you can join in the procession of filmmakers as they head inside. We’ll pay tribute to the legacy of Mary Shelley’s immortal creation with a look back at the ways her story has been brought to the screen in a special Frankenstein Origins video, putting our opening night film into majestic context, then meet the filmmakers after the screening.
After the Film: Filmmaker Larry Fessenden and cast will appear in-person for a Q&A.
THE UNTHINKABLE (NY Premiere) (Pictured)
Wednesday, March 20th, 9:45PM
Before the Film: Join us to hear what Doomsday in New York would mean! Anna Maria Bounds, a professor and urban sociologist at Queens College of the City University of New York and author of the upcoming Bugging Out or Hunkering Down?: Prepping for New York’s Apocalypse (coming later this year from Routledge) is an expert on doomsday preparedness. Can the events seen in THE UNTHINKABLE actually occur in NYC? What would that even look like here? Find out, if you dare!
DARLIN’ (East Coast Premiere)
Thursday, March 21st, 7:00PM
Before the Film: Jack Ketchum tribute by Douglas Winter in collaboration with the world’s longest-running educational organization devoted to the study of horror history – The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies.
After the Film: Writer/Director/Star Pollyanna McIntosh will appear in-person for a Q&A.
ONE CUT OF THE DEAD
Thursday, March 21st, 9:45PM
After the Film: Over the years, it seems like everyone and their brother has made a low-budget zombie movie like the one in ONE CUT OF THE DEAD, and in New York that’s especially true. We’ll be joined by Scooter McCrae (SHATTER DEAD), Glen Baisley (FAIRVIEW FALLS), FX artist Brian Spears (I SELL THE DEAD) and others to hear about the horrors of battling deadlines and money troubles to put their zombie visions on screen.
THE WIND (NY Premiere) (Pictured)
Friday, March 22nd, 7:00PM
Before the Film: Music wafting through the building warns to you beware of what may come! Watch out for a sermonizing preacher and his demented assistant, who might just try to save your very soul in the ticket line if you’re not careful. Hold fast to what they offer you as you may need it for the long journey ahead of you on the vast plains. And keep your eyes on the stage before the film starts as something sinister might take over the cinema!
After the Film: Filmmaker Emma Tammi will appear in-person for a Q&A, then join us for a party from 8:00 – 11:00 at Vol de Nuit. Bring your ticket for free drinks (21+)! Co-presented by IFC Midnight.
GREENER GRASS (East Coast Premiere)
Friday, March 22nd, 9:30PM
Before the Film: Join us for a party from 8:00 – 11:00 at Vol de Nuit. Bring your ticket for free drinks! Co-presented by IFC Midnight. Expect pastels, braces and babies (trust us)!
THE DEAD CENTER (NY Premiere)
Saturday, March 23rd, 2:30PM
Before the Film: Pathology has more in common with detective work than you might think, relying on observation and small details to uncover huge amounts of information. But how do you fine tune those skills when it comes to a dead body? And what are the similarities between the living and dead? Brian. D Robinson is more than just another specialist, he’s truly passionate about a field most of us know very little about–maybe due to the fact that there’s only a handful of pathologists in the US. You have a rare chance to meet one in real life and you are in for a treat – and he’s promised he won’t show pictures.
After the Film: Filmmaker Billy Senese will appear in-person for a Q&A.
FEMALE TROUBLE: WOMEN LEADING THE WAY IN HORROR, FANTASY AND SUSPENSE
Saturday, March 23rd, 5:30PM
BODY AT BRIGHTON ROCK (NY Premiere)(Pictured)
Saturday, March 23rd, 7:00PM
After the Film: WTF!? Q and A’s are a beast of their own. Last year we had a blast with THE ENDLESS and getting to know how it was made. This year you are in for another treat after watching BODY AT BRIGHTON ROCK: not only will you get to see unseen footage of the film specially prepared just for this screening, there’s also an ‘Eat-A-Bear’ raffle that might make you jump for joy — or maybe puke your guts out. Filmmaker Roxanne Benjamin will appear in-person for a Q&A, then join us for a party from 9:00 – 11:00 at Vol de Nuit. Bring your ticket for free drinks! Co-presented by Shudder.
SHADOW
Saturday, March 23rd, 9:30PM
Before the Film: SHADOW features some incredible action and stunt work, and we’ve asked NYC-based stuntwoman Kimmy Suzuki for insight into the planning and preparation of the kinds of stunt sequences and sword fights that make SHADOW so memorable!
SATANIS: THE DEVIL’S MASS (Restoration World Premiere)
Sunday, March 24th, 12:00PM
Before the Film: Take a quick look at the wild ways the Church of Satan has been portrayed in the media!
We Sold Our Souls – Live Talk and Book Signing
Sunday, March 24th, 2:00PM
After the Talk: Book signing with author Grady Hendrix; copies of We Sold Our Souls will be available for sale on-site.
FREAKS (U.S. Premiere)
Sunday, March 24th, 3:30PM
Before the Film: Join us for an ice cream social!
After the Film: Filmmaker Adam B. Stein will appear in-person for a Q&A.
HAIL SATAN? (NY Premiere)
Sunday, March 24th, 6:15PM
After the Film: Pay a tithe to Satan before film subject and The Satanic Temple spokesperson Lucien Greaves appears in-person for a Q&A, then join us for a Happy Hour from 8:00pm – 9:00pm at Vol de Nuit. Bring your ticket for free drinks (21+)! Co-presented by Magnolia Pictures.
WHY DON’T YOU JUST DIE! (North American Premiere)
Sunday, March 24th, 8:45PM
Before the Film: Stand-up comedy! Because who could have more fun with the idea of “why don’t you just die” than comedian Harrison Greenbaum (“Last Comic Standing”).