WHAT: The Amazing Fantasy Fest is a new film festival dedicated to showcasing independent horror, science fiction, action, animation and experimental films from around the world

WHO: The festival is founded by Greg Lamberson, a Buffalo-area filmmaker whose movies have included “Slime City” (1988) and “Guns of Eden” (2022). He was the mastermind behind the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival (10 years) and the Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival (3 years).

WHEN: The festival runs for seven days, from Friday the 13th (of course) through Sept. 19.

WHERE: Dipson’s Amherst Theatre in the University Plaza, 3500 Main St., Buffalo.

AWARDS: The festival will bestow these honors at an awards presentation (free to the public) at the Dipson Amherst on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 5:45 p.m. Special Recognition Awards include:

• Dedication to Cinematic Excellence– Scooter McCrae, New York City
• Filmmaker of the Year – Curt Markham, Rochester
• Lois Weber Award – Kristina Nomeika, Rochester
• William R. Thompson Film ChampionAward – Anna Chinappi and Skip Shea
• Local Hero – Bob Bozek, Buffalo
• MVP – Chris Cosgrave, Buffalo
• Local Service Award – Robert Borgatti, Niagara Falls

COST: The festival screens four blocks of films every day. Short film blocks include local, U.S. and Canada, International and Animation.

A Full Fantasy Pass costs $75 ($60 for students and seniors with ID) and includes two exclusive “Secret Cinema” screenings at the Screening Room at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29. Attendees of these “Secret Cinema”screenings will not know what they’re seeing until the films begin.

A Weekend Pass (Fri – Sun) and Weekday Passes (Mon – Thurs) are available for $60 ($50 for students and seniors with ID), and individual Day Passes are $25 for Fri, Sat or Sun and $20 for Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs.  Individual screening tickets will be available through the Dipson Theatres website for $15.

HIGHLIGHTS: Organizers say some films to watch for include:

Nickel City Tinseltown: The History of Buffalo, NY Filmmaking (World Premiere; Friday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m.). See the Buffalo Hive story about Adrian Esposito and Curt Markham’s film HERE.

Esposito’s political satire/action-comedy Special Needs Revolt will have its World Premiere Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.; Markham, named this year’s Filmmaker of the Year, wrote and directed the comedy Ragdoll Assassin, which has its World Premiere 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. 

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Slasher Days of Summer (World Premiere; Friday, Sept. 13, 9:20 p.m.) What better way to celebrate Friday the 13^th than with a locally produced slasher comedy? Kristen Skeet directed a local cast in this backwoods extravaganza which she co-wrote with co-producer Tyler Cheman. Filmed in primarily Akron, Lancaster, and Darien.

Rich Interior Lives (World Premiere, Saturday, Sept. 14, 3:20 p.m.). A unique psychodrama about a dinner party at which one guest just may be a superhero. Director Ken Whitingand screenwriter (and former Depew, NY resident) Andrew Bonazelli will be in attendance.

They Call Her Death (Film Festival Premiere, Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m.) A violent and crowd-pleasing Euro-style western shot on 16m film, written and directed by Austin Snell, who will attend with co-producer Adam Jeffers. Preceded by the WordPremiere of local filmmaker Paul McGinnis’s short, Forward. Lamberson describes “They Call Her Death” as “probably the big crowd pleaser of the festival.”

Black Eyed Susan (New York Premiere, Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 p.m.). Cult filmmaker Scooter McCrae (Shatter Dead, Sixteen Tongues) makes his Buffalo debut with this disturbing science fiction thriller about a sex robot. Preceded by the world premiere of Jane & the Brain, a short film by local filmmaker Hope Muehlbauer. 

Inbetweening (World Premiere, Monday, Sept. 16, 8 p.m.) – A dark comedic fantasy by returning filmmaker Mel House (Mystery Spot) about the travails of a bi-racial filmmaker, augmented by puppets, animation, a musical number and Angelo Moore from Fishbone, playing himself.

The Damnation (World Premiere, Thursday, Sept. 19, 9 p.m.) – A Canadian horror film about members of an Indigenous community battling vampire-like creatures. Writer, producer and co-director Chris Darton will be on hand with members of the cast.