News

¿A qué estarías dispuesto para entrar en el Olympo? Ellos a todo. © Netflix

Netflix ha anunciado el la fecha de estreno de Olympo, su nueva serie adolescente.

Olympo se sitúa en el Car Pirineos, donde entrenan los mejores atletas del país como Amaia, la capitana de la selección nacional de natación artística, una chica autoexigente y que no se permite fallos. Pero cuando Núria, su mejor amiga y compañera de equipo, la supera por primera vez, Amaia se da cuenta de que algunos deportistas están mejorando su rendimiento de forma inexplicable… Tras años llevando sus cuerpos al límite y sacrificando sus vidas por el deporte, se enfrentan a un dilema:¿hasta dónde están dispuestos a llegar?

El reparto lo componen Clara Galle (Ni una más), Nira Osahia, Agustín Della Corte (La sociedad de la nieve), Nuno Gallego (Élite), María Romanillos (La casa), Martí Cordero (4 estrellas), Juan Perales (4 estrellas), Andy Duato...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

My Fault: London is a British romantic drama film co-directed by Dani Girdwood and Charlotte Fassler from a screenplay by Melissa Osborne. Based on the Wattpad story Culpa mía by Mercedes Ron, the 2025 film follows Noah, a teenage girl who must leave her life behind to move to London, where he mother has married a rich man. She soon meets Nick, her new stepbrother, and while she doesn’t like his attitude in the beginning, she soon begins falling for him. My Fault: London stars Asha Banks, Matthew Broome, Eve Macklin, Ray Fearon, Sam Buchanan, and Jason Flemyng. So, if you loved the teen drama story, carefree romance, and charming characters in My Fault: London, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

One Fast Move (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

One Fast Move is a...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Your Fault is a Spanish young adult romantic drama film directed by Domingo González, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Sofía Cuenca. Based on the Culpables series by Mercedes Ron, the 2024 sequel film continues the love story of Nick and Noah as they face new challenges in their relationship including long-distance and a vindictive ex-girlfriend. Your Fault stars Nicole Wallace, Gabriel Guevara, Marta Hazas, Iván Sánchez, Victor Varona, and Eva Ruiz. So, if you loved the charming story, teen romance, and intriguing drama in Your Fault, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

My Fault (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

My Fault is a Spanish romantic drama film written and directed by Domingo González. Based on the Wattapad story titled Culpa Mia by Mercedes Ron, the 2023 film follows Noah, a teen girl as she is forced to leave her town,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

My Fault is a Spanish teen romantic drama film written and directed by Domingo González. Based on the Waftpad novel of the same name by Mercedes Ron, the Prime Video film follows Noah, who is forced to leave her town, friends, and boyfriend to move into the mansion of her mother’s new husband. She soon meets and falls for Nick, her new stepbrother. My Fault stars Nicole Wallace, Gabriel Guevara, Marta Hazas, Iván Sánchez, Eva Ruiz, Victor Varona, and Fran Berenguer. So, if you loved the teen drama, steamy romance, and compelling characters in My Fault, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Through My Window (Netflix) Credit: Netflix

Through My Window is a Spanish teen romantic drama film directed by Marçal Forés from a screenplay by Eduard Sola. Based on the 2022 novel of...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

After Everything is the fifth and final entry in the After Film franchise. Written and Directed by Castille Landon, the film is based on a novel of the same name by Anna Todd. The romantic drama film follows Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) as he travels to Portugal to make amends to Natalie (Mimi Keene). After Everything will also provide us with a final answer about where Hardin and Tess (Josephine Langford) will end up. So, if you loved the steamy romance, compelling drama, and charming characters in the final chapter of the After series here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Through My Window: Across the Sea (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Through My Window: Across the Sea is a Spanish teen romantic drama film directed by Marçal Forés from a screenplay by Eduard Sola. Serving as...

¿A qué estarías dispuesto para entrar en el Olympo? Ellos a todo. © Netflix

Netflix ha anunciado el comienzo de rodaje de “Olympo”, su nueva serie adolescente.

“Olympo” se sitúa en el Car Pirineos, donde entrenan los mejores atletas del país como Amaia, la capitana de la selección nacional de natación artística, una chica autoexigente y que no se permite fallos. Pero cuando Núria, su mejor amiga y compañera de equipo, la supera por primera vez, Amaia se da cuenta de que algunos deportistas están mejorando su rendimiento de forma inexplicable… Tras años llevando sus cuerpos al límite y sacrificando sus vidas por el deporte, se enfrentan a un dilema:¿hasta dónde están dispuestos a llegar?

El reparto lo componen Clara Galle (“Ni una Más”), Nira Osahia, Agustín Della Corte (“La Sociedad de la Nieve”), Nuno Gallego (“Élite”), María Romanillos (“La Casa”), Martí Cordero (“4 Estrellas”), Juan Perales (“4 Estrellas”), Andy Duato...

Can the scorching romance that started with a shared Wi-Fi network maintain its connection? That’s the question at the heart of Through My Window 3: Looking at You (A través de tu Mirada),the third (and apparently final) sequel to Through My Window (A Través de mi Ventana) and Through My Window: Across the Sea (A Través del Mar), the hit Spanish language YA films directed by Marçal Forés, based on a book trilogy by co-creator Ariana Godoy.

The tragic events and tumultuous finale of Through My Window: Across the Sea put an end to Raquel and Ares’ already fraying relationship too. At the close of the summer, the star-crossed couple (played by Clara Galle and Julio Peña) break up seemingly for good. But when Ares and Raquel find themselves back in Barcelona for the winter, things heat up again. Desire’s a powerful force, but is theirs strong...

Through My Window 3: Looking at You is a movie directed by Marçal Forés starring Clara Galle and Julio Peña.

This is the third installment of the saga that promises to reach its conclusion with this coming-of-age story. The movie utilizes the strengths of the previous two films and serves as the final chapter in Raquel’s story, who is now focused on publishing a book. It targets a specific audience and is aware of its boundaries. The novels were written by Ariana Godoy, a Venezuelan author who gained popularity on the youth-dominated platform, Wattpad.

Plot

During the Christmas holidays, Raquel and Ares rekindle their relationship, while she awaits the release of a novel that narrates her life and works on the sequel, which is sure to be a literary success.

About the Film

It’s one of those sagas that adults may not understand, but teenagers and young adults...

Sometimes, an ending can feel like a new beginning, and the newly-released trailer for Through My Window: Looking At You appears to have brought two former lovers back together to set the record straight once and for all. After the success of the Marçal Forès-helmed 2022 Spanish romantic drama Through My Window, Through My Window: Across the Sea arrived last year and saw Raquel Mendoza trying to save her relationship with Ares Hidalgo.The second installment of the franchise didn't conclude on a happy note, as the two lovers didn't end up together. However, they seem to have life figured out, with Raquel having fulfilled her dreams of being a writer and Ares taking pre-med at a Stockholm-based university.

Through My Window, the first of the two films directed by Marçal Forés, is a Spanish Netflix Original about the young yet passionate love between two people who meet most bizarrely. Raquel and Ares are neighbors, but both come from two different styles of upbringing. But that does not stop Raquel from stalking the man and peeping into his room, which is visible from her bedroom window. Meanwhile, Ares, too, was intrigued by this girl, and he hacked into her Wi-Fi router and her laptop to gain access and find out who she was. The meet-cute is not a friendly one, but they end up purposely running into each other too many times and slowly falling in love.

Where does Yoshi come into the picture? He and Daniela happen to be Raquel’s best friends. Unknown to Raquel, Yoshi is secretly in love with her. It has not been shown...

The first film, Through My Window, a Spanish Netflix original, was all about the glorification of a toxic relationship. The same team brings you the sequel, Across the Sea, which is a continuation of previous film. Unfortunately, the latest instalment, just like the previous one, does not serve the genre it is based on. Director Marçal Forés brings you the same cast with a lot of soapy drama thrown into the mix.

Through My Window: Across the Sea is as literal as the name suggests because the film is set on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, where the friends and family of Raquel and Ares descend to celebrate the San Juan festival. Amidst all of this, the once hot and heavy couple is now in a long-distance relationship. With Ares studying medicine in Stockholm and Raquel studying literature in Barcelona, there is trouble in paradise because they end up spending...

Through My Window: Across the Sea is a film directed by Marçal Forés starring Clara Galle and Julio Peña.

It is a story about teenagers and a sequel to “Through the Window,” which takes the elements that made the first movie a success, emphasizes them, and gives them (especially at the end) a touch of maturity.

However, let’s be honest, nothing will make us forget the scene of the girl licking the ice cream in the pool with a parallel montage of the boys practicing… erotic games.

Yes, you can imagine it perfectly.

Through My Window: Across the Sea About the Movie

From the beginning, the movie is clear: the first movie had it clear, that the important thing was to accentuate the “spicier” scenes to fill the rest of the script. This also happens in action movies, where if you remove the chase scenes and such, the rest...

Following the worldwide success of Netflix’s Spanish-language YA romance “A través de mi ventana” (“Through My Window”), Wattpad Webtoon Studios has announced the film adaptation of “Sigue mi voz,” author and influencer Adriana Godoy’s more recent Wattpad webnovel hit.

Directed and written by Inés Pintor and Pablo Santidrián, of Netflix’s Spanish TV series “El tiempo que te doy,” “Sigue mi voz” is the latest project from the Wattpad Webtoon Studios Development Fund that will be produced out of Spain.

“Sigue mi voz” has more than 25 million reads on Wattpad, and Godoy is one of the platform’s most successful authors, with more than two million followers and over 20 published webnovels in English and Spanish. Her works have accumulated a total of more than 850 million reads on the platform.

Godoy’s most personal story to date, the webnovel follows Klara and her search for love, identity and self-acceptance.

“Alcarràs,” from Catalonia’s Carla Simón, won Berlin’s top Golden Bear in February. “One Year, One Night,” from Catalan Isaki Lacuesta, also played in main competition. This May “Pacifiction,” from Albert Serra, another Catalan, has scored a competition berth at Cannes.

Thanks to these three titles, Catalonia has more directors this year in the key section at Europe’s two biggest festivals than Italy (2), Germany (1) or the U.K. (none at all). Other Catalan productions to play at Cannes: Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The Beasts” in Premiere and Anna Fernández’s “I Didn’t Make It to Love Her,” a Critics’ Week short.

If big fest selection is any measure, with just 7.6 million inhabitants and Barcelona as its capital, Catalonia is building as an upscale European movie powerhouse.

The build, however, is far broader based. In the pipeline, all from Barcelona-based Nostromo Pictures, are major Netflix titles such as David...

Exclusive: Julio Peña (Through My Window) has signed with Anonymous Content for management.

Peña is a rising Spanish actor who most recently starred opposite Clara Galle in Netflix’s Spanish-language teen romance Through My Window (A través de mi ventana), based on Wattpad’s YA novel of the same name by Ariana Godoy. The film released on the streamer in February centers on Raquel (Galle), whose longtime crush on her next-door neighbor Ares (Peña) turns into something more when he starts developing feelings for her, despite his family’s objections. Eduard Sola adapted the screenplay, with Marçal Forés directing. Since its debut, the film has become an international hit, catapulting the 21-year-old Peña to global recognition and a social media following of nearly 4 million. Following the film’s success, Netflix has committed to multiple sequels. Peña is currently in production on the second and third chapters of the trilogy, which...

"Do you really like her?" "I don't need your help." Netflix has revealed a full trailer for a steamy romantic drama from Spain titled Through My Window, also known as A Través de mi Ventana in Spanish. Adapted from the novel by Ariana Godoy, and debuting on Netflix in February. A woman who is madly in love with her mysterious neighbor resolves to make him fall in love with her. The film features characters with godly names like Ares and Apolo and Artemis, though the lead woman is named Raquel. Clara Galle and Julio Peña star as the two extremely attractive lovers, along with Pilar Castro, Hugo Arbues, Eric Masip, Natalia Azahara, and Lucía de la Puerta. This looks like the most cliche and saucy romance they can make these days, especially with all the back 'n forth between "oh he's not available for intimacy..." Here's the full official trailer...

"You think I don't know about your obsession with me?" Netflix has debuted a teaser trailer for a steamy romantic comedy film from Spain titled Through My Window, originally known as A Través de mi Ventana in Spanish. Adapted from the novel by Ariana Godoy, and arriving on Netflix in February (just in time for Valentine's Day). A woman who is madly in love with her mysterious neighbor resolves to make him fall in love with her. The film features characters with godly names like Ares and Apolo and Artemis, though the lead woman is named Raquel. Clara Galle and Julio Peña star as the two extremely attractive lovers, along with Pilar Castro, Hugo Arbues, Eric Masip, Natalia Azahara, and Lucía de la Puerta. Some intensely sultry footage in this short teaser. So maybe he really is a god? "Who's laughing now, Greek god?" Here's the first teaser trailer (+ poster...

Queer Screen.s Mardi Gras Film Festival will host 10 international guests over the next two weeks..

The filmmakers will present their films, discussing their work and host masterclasses (supported by Screen Nsw) with local talent..

The guests include: Nneka Onuorah - director, The Same Difference (USA) who is showcasing her documentary on the black, lesbian and bisexual community on Friday 19 Feb at 9pm, and also presenting a masterclass on production..

Claudia Lorenz - director, What's Between Us (Switzerland) will present her feature directorial debut on Monday 22 February at 7pm as well as hosting a free screening on Tuesday 23 February at 11am at Event Cinemas supported by the Consulate General of Switzerland and City of Sydney.

Marçal Forés - director, Everlasting Love (Spain) screens his winner of the International Dramatic Feature Award at Outfest and Best Feature Film of Queer Lisboa, supported by Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) and Sydney Underground Film Festival,...

New Indie One of the year’s most wonderfully weird films got love on the festival circuit, but not tons of theatrical play, so DVD may well offer your first opportunity to see Animals (Artsploitation Films), a movie that drew comparisons to David Lynch and Donnie Darko but which stands as very much its own unique creation. In director Marçal Forés’ directorial debut, teenage Pol (Orial Pla) is teetering toward adulthood, but still unwilling to leave one aspect of childhood behind — his teddy bear Deerhoof, who talks to Pol (and accompanies him on the drums when Pol plays guitar). This ain’t Ted, however. There’s an undercurrent of dread and danger throughout, with Pol’s burgeoning sexuality unfolding against a backdrop of missing...

Read More...

The best of the films I saw last weekend at Polari 2013 was on Saturday afternoon. Polish writer-director Malgorzata Szumowska explores the feelings of a gay priest working in a school for troubled youths in the poignant film In the Name Of.

Trapped by the requirements of his faith with nobody to whom he can turn for a human connection, Adam (Andrzej Chyra, who bears a strong resemblance to Daniel Craig) longs only for the comfort of human embrace. A good man who always has a positive influence on his charges, Adam never does anything wrong, though almost completely unfounded accusations repeatedly result in his transfer to other parishes.

Szumowska peels back the stoic exterior to reveal the depths of longing and loneliness suffered by a man striving to set the highest example of godliness and the tragic unfairness that can result from unfounded suspicions. In the Name Of is a...

Outfest has announced the award winners of its 31st Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival. Chris Mason Johnson's "Test" and Shaun Kadlec and Deb Tullman's "Born This Way" led the juried prizes, taking the awards for best narrative and documentary feature, respectively. Bruno Barreto's "Reaching For The Moon" and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason's "Bridegroom," meanwhile, took those prizes in the audience award categories. Read More: It Happened To Him: 'Bridegroom' Subject Shane Bitney Crone On Bringing His Tragic Story To The Screen The oldest continuously running film festival in Los Angeles ran from July 11th to July 21st, and closed last night with Darren Stein’s “G.B.F." Complete list of winners. Special Programming Awards Special Programming Award for Freedom Deepsouth, Directed by Lisa Biagiotti Special Programming Award for Artistic Achievement Animals, Directed by Marçal Forés Special Programming Award for Emerging Talent Diego Ruiz,...

Now that Doma has been ruled unconstitutional, the City of Angels keeps the celebration going with The 31st Annual Outfest Film Festival showcasing the best in Lgbt filmmaking from the Us & across the world. Outfest has also been consistent in its support for the Latino gay & lesbian film community which, sad to say, is more than most Latino film festivals have shown (Really?! Still? I've never met your family but trust me, one of your primos is gay). This year Outfest solidifies that commitment by not only having an diverse range of gay themed or gay helmed films, but the opening night film is C.O.G written and directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, winner of the prestigious "Someone to Watch" Award at the 2010 Independent Spirit Awards for his writing and directorial debut film Easier With Practice. C.O.G is the first film adaptation of the highly esteemed author David Sedaris' work. Festivals like Outfest (and its life partner Newfest in NYC) exist to promote, share and foster Lgbt visibility in the media from all races and places. LatinoBuzz checked out the line-up at this years Outfest to see Wtf is Latino!

C.O.G – Dir. by Kyle Patrick Alvarez (USA)

David has it all figured out. His plan—more a Steinbeckian dream—is to spend his summer working on an apple farm in Oregon with his best friend, Jennifer. When she bails out on him, David is left to dirty his hands alone, watched over by Hobbs, the old farm owner and the first in a series of questionable mentors he encounters. First there’s Curly, the friendly forklift operator with a unique hobby, and then Jon, the born-again rock hound who helps David in a time of need. C.O.G tells the story of a prideful young man and what’s left of him after all he believes is chipped away piece by piece.

Pitstop – Dir. by Yen Tan (USA)

Recovering from an ill-fated affair with a married man, Gabe finds solace in the relationship he maintains with his ex-wife and daughter. On the other side of town, Ernesto evades life at home with his current live-in ex-boyfriend by spending much of his spare time in the hospital with an ailing past love. Impervious to the monotony of their blue-collar world, they maintain an unwavering yearning for romance.

Who's Afraid Of Vagina Wolf? - Dir. by Anna Margarita Albelo (USA)

As another birthday rolls around, forty-year-old filmmaker Anna returns to her never-changing list of resolutions: lose twenty pounds, get a girlfriend, and direct a feature film. This year, Anna plans to knock (at least) two of those resolutions out with one stone, as she begins writing a lesbian remake of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, devised to win the affections of her leading lady, Katia. With Anna planning to act opposite her beautiful crush, her two best friends, Penelope and Chloe, round out the four-person cast. Unfortunately, things don’t run smoothly, as egos begin to clash and crew members start sleeping with one another. Will Anna go yet-another year without accomplishing any of her resolutions?

Valencia - Dir. by Lares Feliciano, Dia Felix etc. (USA)

Valencia the novel put the experiences of an entire generation of lesbians on paper through the lens of one hard-loving and hard-drinking dyke. Punk rockers, riot grrls, and simple, artsy freaks suddenly had a heroine to look up to and a mecca to head toward. This highly anticipated film adaptation of Valencia gives a whole new generation of fabulous, artsy, genderqueer folks an opportunity to reinterpret and reinvent the tales of this iconic novel one chapter at a time.

Reaching For The Moon (Flores Raras) – Dir. by Bruno Barreto (Brazil)

Seasoned Brazilian helmer Bruno Barreto brings to life 1950s Rio in this beautifully drawn tale of poet Elizabeth Bishop and her love affair with architect Lota de Macedo Soares, the designer of Rio’s famed Flamengo Park. Based on the bestselling Brazilian novel Rare and Commonplace Flowers, the film follows Bishop as a creative block prompts her to accept the invitation of a college friend to stay with her and her partner, Lota, on a sprawling country estate. Quintessentially American Bishop is a fish out of water in her new lush and bohemian setting, until the instant chemistry between her and Lota boils over.

Animals – Dir. by Marçal Forés (Spain)

There are maladjusted teens, and then there’s Pol, whose best friend is a walking, talking stuffed bear who sounds like Hal, the evil computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey. (Ted, this ain’t.) As Pol tries to unravel the meaning behind a strange series of circumstances involving his gay friend, a local girl’s death, a sexy new transfer student and his English teacher (Martin Freeman, The Hobbit), he finds that nothing in this weird, weird world is what it seems. Evoking the strange and sometimes sinister mood of Donnie Darko, American Beauty, Elephant and Kaboom, Animals is like a mysterious dream you’ll want to have over and over again

Iglu (Igloo) – Dir. by Diego Ruiz (Chile)

Daniel, a young, handsome and talented illustrator, is deeply depressed in the aftermath of his relationship with an older man, his college professor. Salvation comes through his neighbor Paula, an agoraphobic therapist, with whom Daniel begins an intense relationship. Igloo explores a young man’s complex relationships with sexuality, intimacy and addiction, and how his memories and present day relationships help him embrace a new life. In his directorial debut, established Chilean actor Diego Ruiz plays the lead role of Daniel (he also co-wrote the script) in an imaginative and moving story of identity and self-acceptance.

La Partida (The Last March) – Dir. by Antonio Hens (Cuba)

Reinier works as a callboy in order to support his wife and child, but he ends up gambling most of his money away. Sex with men is strictly business until he befriends a cute soccer player named Yosvani, who works for his girlfriend’s father, a corrupt debt collector. When Reinier’s gambling habit gets him in serious trouble, Yosvani tries to convince Reinier to run away with him. Set in the bustling streets of Cuba, The Last Match offers a visceral romance ripe with unexpected turns and dangerous temptations.

Al Cielo (To Heaven) – Dir. by Diego Prado (Argentina)

In this breezy and beautifully crafted Argentine feature, a punk-loving teenager wrestles with the nerve-wracking uncertainty of first love. Torn between accepting the strict teachings of his church and embracing a handsome local guitarist, Andrés finds himself in existential limbo, unable to make a move without instantly regretting his choices. Balancing teen angst with warm observations, To Heaven concludes in strikingly romantic fashion, satisfying our expectations in ways only the best of coming-of-age dramas can do.

transVISIBLE:The Bamby Salcedo Story - Dir. by Dante Alencastre (USA)

An icon of L.A.'s transgender community, Latina activist Bamby Salcedo sparkles in Dante Alencastre’s candid documentary. Beginning with Bamby’s life on the drug-addled streets of Guadalajara and then journeying through her recovery and out-spoken activism, Transvisible’s riveting one-on-one interviews reveal a selfless HIV advocate and tireless transgender community spokeswoman. (Her work at the Children's Hospital, Los Angeles and as a coordinator for Angels of Change are just two of many notable causes.) Bamby’s story is one of inspiration and hope.

And rounding out the Latino hotness are the Short films...

Tableau (USA), You're Dead to Me (USA), Scaffolding (Spain), The Companion (Peru), Elliot King is Third (USA), Miguel Alvarez Wears a Wig (Greece/Spain) Rad Queers (USA).

OutFest runs July 11th-21st. For more info on Outfest please visit: www.Outfest.org

Written by Juan Caceres and Vanessa Erazo, LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow @LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook.

Fantasia 2013 has announced the second wave of titles screening this year. If the first wave, along with the announcements of special guests wasn’t enough to get you excited, this surely will.

009 Re: Cyborg

Japan Dir: Kenji Kamiyama

Mechanized mayhem, mysticism and moral ambiguity meet when the influential ’60s manga/anime property 009 Cyborg gets a dark, postmodern makeover care of the mighty Production I.G, in the spirit of the iconic Ghost In The Shell films. Anime fans won’t want to miss this one. North American Premiere.

Animals

Spain Dir: Marçal Forés

Evocative of both Donnie Darko and Leolo with a touch of Charles Burns, Animals taps into a volatile whirlpool of adolescent anxieties and identity issues, addressing complex themes through a wealth of unconventional approaches. A heavy trip, but an entertaining and fantastical one. Winner: Best First Feature, Sant Jordi de Cinematografia 2013, Official Selection: Sitges 2012, Miami International Film Festival 2013. Quebec Premiere.

The full Fantasia 2013 lineup will be announced next Tuesday, July 9th, but in the meantime we have the second wave of titles to share, and per usual, it's a doozy!

From the Press Release:

Following last week’s first wave of programming announcements, the Fantasia International Film Festival is proud to unveil several additional highlights to warm you up for our July 9th Press Conference, where we’ll be unveiling of our full 120+ film lineup. The festival runs from July 18 to August 6.

Official Opening Night Film – Takashi Miike’s Shield Of Straw (North American Premiere)

Hot off its screening in official completion at the Cannes Film Festival, Takashi Miike’s riveting crime thriller Shield Of Straw will be kicking off Fantasia’s 2013 edition with its first screening on the North American continent. Shield Of Straw stars Takao Osawa, Nanako Matsushima, and Tatsuya Fujiwara. Fantasia’s 1997 screening of Fudoh marked the...

Last week we shared the first group of films and events slated for this year's Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal, the largest genre-themed film festival on the planet. In addition to dozens of film entries, many of which are making their world premieres at Fantasia, there will also be some major one-of-a-kind events at the fest, the first of which you can read about in our previous update. But now, here's the latest crop of films and events added to Fantasia's schedule: Official Opening Night Film: Takashi Miike’s Shield of Straw (North American Premiere) This is the second time Miike has chosen Fantasia to debut a film in North America at this fest; the last was Fudoh in 1997. Rated X: A Night with Bryan Singer The acclaimed genre director will engage the audience in an hour-long discussion on his films, career and the genre in general, moderated by Fangoria veteran Tony Timpone.

Marks the second consecutive year a Takashi Miike film has opened Montreal’s genre film festival.

Takashi Miike’s Shield of Straw, which screened in competition at Cannes, is to open the 17th edition of Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival (July 18 - August 6).

Miike’s crime thriller receives its North American premiere at Fantasia and continues the long relationship between the director and festival.

Last year, Fantasia opened with Miike’s For Love’s Sake and the festival’s 1997 screening of Fudoh marked the first time a film by the director had ever been shown in North America.

The festival will also host the world premiere of 24 Exposures, from mumblecore director Joe Swanberg. The film stars Adam Wingard as a fetish photographer whose models begin to turn up dead while Simon Barrett plays a cop tasked with investigating him.

Wingard and Barrett are the director-screenwriter duo behind You’re Next and A Horrible Way To Die. Fantasia...

Animals is the directorial debut of Marçal Forés, and stars Oriol Pla, Augustus Prew (The Borgias) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit). The film is described as an introspective fantasy ala Donnie Darko, and a coming-of-age story that blurs the borders between everyday reality and dreams. As far as I know, Animals does not yet have a release stateside, but keep an eye out for it. Many of my colleagues who have been fortunate enough to see it, only have great things to say. Watch the trailer after the jump.

Synopsis:

Just like on any other day, Pol (17) walks home with his friend Deerhoof. Deerhoof is his ally and soul-mate and, next to him, Pol feels he has found his place in the world. He is Pol’s most closely guarded secret: his imaginary friend (or at least that’s what he thinks) whose appearance is that of a small, sweet teddy bear.

The 27th London Lgbt Fest offers tons of screenings in the coming days (Pictured above: Underground transgender superstar Divine in John Waters' 1974 sorta class Female Trouble) This year's London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival officially opened with a gala presentation of Jeffrey Schwarz’s I Am Divine this past Thursday. In the coming week, the festival will be showcasing dozens of features and shorts featuring characters of various forms of sexual orientation and gender identity from all over the world. Among tonight's features is John Waters' 1974 camp classic Female Trouble, starring Waters' muse Divine as a youngster who, after running away from home on Christmas Day, getting raped and pregant, and becoming a single mom, is transmogrified from loving schoolgirl to tough criminal. Waters' stock player Edith Massey plays Aunt Ida, who has obviously spent her life hanging out with the wrong straight crowd, remarking at one point in...

I would really like to tell you about Marçal Forés' fantastic story of an adolescent and his talking teddy bear, Animals, and Fernando Cortizo's gorgeous animated fantasy film O Apostolo. But I cannot. I can tell you a little bit about each, but you see, both were in either Spanish or Catalan with no subtitles. And I don't speak either of those languages. Here's what I know: The 3-D stop-motion animation in O Apostolo is gorgeous right from the first scene, which depicts two convicts running through labyrinth tunnels in hopes of escaping from prison. Both men talk quite a bit in these tunnels, and based on audience-laughter, I think that some of what they say is funny. That's about where I checked out, but,...

Described as "’Donnie Darko’ meets Gus Van Sant", Animals is a fantasy laced coming-of-ager which, as far as I can find, is still in development. It will be Marçal Forés first time directing a feature length film, and his Dp is.. well, lets just say damn good. You can see the promo teaser after the break.

Teaser after the break.

Embedded video stripped, see full HTML version.