
GEP Alumn Jenn Wexler’s THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BECKY set to open at Fantasia 2026, a Variety exclusive
‘The Last Temptation of Becky,’ ‘The Eyes,’ ‘Hot Spot’ and ‘Ferine’ Among Fantasia 2026 First Wave Line-Up (EXCLUSIVE)
The Fantasia International Film Festival has announced its first wave of 2026 premiere titles, including Jenn Wexler’s “The Last Temptation of Becky,” Kasper Kalle’s “No Rest for the Wicked” and Andrea Corsini’s “Ferine,” among others. The festival’s 30th edition, running from July 16 through August 2, will return to the Concordia Hall and J.A. de Sève cinemas in Montreal.
In addition to the aforementioned, other titles announced include Makoto Ueda’s “You Are the Film,” Yeom Ji-oh’s “The Eyes,” Harrison Atkins’ “Sour Minnows” and Giddens Ko’s “Kung Fu.” Casey Walker’s “Home Bodies,” Koichi’s “Captured!,” Harrison Houde’s “Tight Lettuce,” Michael Gabriele’s “Unholy Night” and Yu Nakamoto’s “Break Free” will also premiere at the 2026 edition of the Montreal genre festival.
World premieres include the action sequel “The Last Temptation of Becky,” “No Rest for the Wicked,” “Home Bodies,” “Sour Minnows,” “Rubberhead: The Life & Monsters Of Steve Johnson,” “Ancestral Beasts” and “Unholy Night.” Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s “Hot Spot,” starring Andrzej Konopka and Noomi Rapace and set for release by Focus Features, will also have its world premiere.
“You Are the Film,” “The Eyes,” “Break Free” and “Kung Fu” will make their North American premiere, as will Yusuke Iwasaki’s “Anymart,” Edwin‘s “Sleep No More” and Akira Nagai’s “Suzuki=Bakudan.”
Last year, the Fantasia International Film Festival saw the world premieres of films, including “Undertone” directed by Ian Tuason, “Terrestrial” directed by Steve Pink, “I Live Here Now” directed by Julie Pacino and “The Woman” directed by Hwang Wook.
The festival will include screenings, workshops and launch events. Fantasia’s full lineup will be announced in stages by early July.
Fantasia is presented by MELS in collaboration with Concordia University, and made possible by the financial support of Telefilm Canada, the Société́ de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), the Ministère du Tourisme, the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation, the city of Montréal, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and Tourisme Montréal.
Read the full article from VARIETY
Beck Underwood’s THE LURE OF PONIES unspools at Anthology Film Archives 5/19/26

“A playful homage to the cozy mystery genre, The Lure of Ponies poignantly explores
themes of abandonment, longing, and desire.
Director Beck Underwood embraces the intangible spirit life of the inanimate
with energy and humor in her debut feature.”
– 2025 Woodstock Film Festival
for more clues visit
www.spellboundattic.com
@spellboundattic
Flapping the Gums: Fessenden on Icons Of Fright Podcast
catching up on recent posts…
here’s an interview with old pals at
ICONS OF FRIGHT.

CRUMB CATCHER Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
Sun: Ilya Chaiken’s LIBERTY KID at the Roxie 7:30

DIRECTOR: Ilya Chaiken
CAST: Al Thompson, Kareem Savinon, Anny Mariano, Rayniel Rufino
Derrick and Tico lose their jobs at the Statue of Liberty tourist site due to the 9/11 attacks. As they struggle to survive in the aftermath, courted by Army recruiters and tempted by street life, the two friends pursue divergent paths to an elusive future.
Director Ilya Chaiken and actors Kareem Saviñon, Johnny Rivera and Anny Mariano join us at the Roxy Cinema for a post-film discusssion and Q&A following a screening of their 2007 feature, Liberty Kid.
moderated by Rigo Garay

SAT: Ilya Chaiken’s MARGARITA HAPPY HOUR at The Roxie 7:00 PM


DIRECTOR Ilya Chaiken
CAST Eleanor Hutchins, Larry Fessenden, Holly Ramos, Barbara Sicuranza
Zelda confronts the end of the party in the 1990s starving artist Brooklyn scene, trying to navigate adulthood with a baby, a deadbeat poet boyfriend, a best friend recovering from addiction, and a loft teeming with carousing roommates. A chorus of boozy mom-punks and an incremental series of crises help bring Zelda’s life into focus.































































































