description Fantasia Fest Overview
Fantasia, officially the Fantasia International Film Festival, is a genre film festival held in Montreal, Quebec. It began in 1996 and programs imaginative cinema from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and other regions, with selections that include horror, fantasy, and other forms of genre filmmaking. Its programming includes international previews and films from different national traditions within genre cinema. [Festival history](https://fantasiafestival.com/en/about/archives)
help Fantasia Fest FAQ
When and where was Fantasia Fest founded?
Fantasia began in Montreal in 1996 as a festival devoted initially to Asian genre cinema. It is now known as the Fantasia International Film Festival and remains based in Montreal, Canada.
What kinds of films does Fantasia Fest program?
Its genre focus includes horror, fantasy, science fiction, action, animation, and international cult cinema. The festival's 1996 origins were specifically tied to Asian genre films, but its current definition of genre cinema is much broader.
Why is Fantasia's 1997 screening of Fudoh important?
Fantasia says its 1997 screening of Takashi Miike's Fudoh made it the first festival in North America to introduce audiences to Miike's work. That screening helped establish the festival's reputation for bringing unusual international genre films to Montreal.
Where are Fantasia screenings held in Montreal?
The festival uses several Montreal venues rather than one permanent cinema. For the 2026 edition, official listings include Concordia University's Hall Building, the J.A. de Sève Cinema, and Cinéma du Musée.
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