Amazing Fantasy Fest will screen 106 films this year,
36 of them produced in Western New York
Buffalo, New York – Amazing Fantasy Fest will screen 106 films at
Dipson’s Amherst Theatre in Buffalo Friday, September 11th – Thursday,
September 17th. According to festival director Gregory Lamberson, who
is a member of the Producers Guild of America, this is the largest
slate of films he has screened in a single week durirng the sixteen
years he has programmed this event, first under the name Buffalo
Screams Horror film Festival and then as Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film
Festival.
AFF will screen 15 features and 91 shorts. Thirty-six of the
selections were produced in Western New York. Lamberson’s focus is
primarily on independent films within the Horror, Science Fiction,
Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Animation and Experimental genres.
“We screen all types of local films, in all styles. Our seven-day
schedule gives us the flexibility to devote extra time local artists.”
Some of this year’s highlights include:
Mindflip (World Premiere, Fri, 9/11, 7pm) – A horror/sci-fi comedy
written and directed by Niagara Falls filmmaker Ken Rowe, starring
cult siren Lynn Lowry as an aging horror movie queen seeking to
transplant her mind into a younger body. Chad Ridgely, Bob Bozek and
Isabel Deschamps co-star. A Q&A with Rowe follows the screening.
Broken Spear
Broken Spear (New York Premiere, Fri, 9/11, 9:30 pm) – An epic Chinese
historical martial arts film set during the twilight of the Tang
Dynasty. A legendary spear-master must take up his broken weapon when
ghosts from his past hunt him. Directed by Chuanlin Sun.
Segments of Jonah Presents… “Journal of the Homunculus” (World
Premiere, Sat, 1pm) An experimental fantasy in the tradition of
surrealist Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo, Santa Sangre) from New
Jersey director Tommy Graef, starring Lowry again, with cult actor
Debbie Rochon. Q&A with Graef. “It’s a truly mindboggling film,”
promises Lamberson, “unlike anything we’ve shown before.”
Raging Midlife
Raging Midlife (Sat, 4pm) – A wrestling comedy starring
co-screenwriter Nic Costa, Paula Abdul, Eddie Griffin and Walter
Koenig. Two mid-lifers set out to recover the tank top of their
favorite 80s wrestler while pursued by a big game hunter. Q&A with
Costa.
The Demonatrix
The Demonatrix (Horror, Tuesday, 7:45 pm) – Popular goth musician
Voltaire co-wrote and co-directed (with Jeff Feller) this creature
feature and stars as a priest who joins forces with his mentor to stop
a dominatrix possessed by a demon. Q&A with Voltaire.
It’s Always Almost Over
It’s Always Almost Over (Wed, 7:30 pm) – A romantic dramedy about a
man preparing to leave his upstate New York small town when he finally
meets his perfect match. From the team behind Break Glass, a previous
selection at the festival. Q&A with director Jay Leonard.
“My goal with this festival is to support independent films, and to
give filmmakers the chance to screen their work on a big screen,” says
Lamberson. “I love genre films, but I’m even more excited by films
that transcend categorization, that give people something they’ve
never seen before. Patrons remember these films and the people they
engage with who made them.”
In addition to 100+ film screenings, Lamberson has announced several
Special Awards which will be presented to individuals for their
contributions to the Western New York film community and culture at
the AFF Awards Sunday, 9/13 at 5 pm:
Actor, comedian and producer Jon Cesar
Actor, comedian and producer Jon Cesar (The Romans) will receive the
Bill Brown Award for acting, named in memory of the beloved local film
and theatre actor who passed away in 2022.
Robin Lazarra, Film Neighbor Network
Robin Lazarra will be recognized with the Local Service Award for her
work on behalf of the Buffalo film community through Film Neighbor
Network, the nonprofit organization she leads.
Armand John Petri, Record producer and film score composer
Record producer and film score composer John Armand Petri will receive
the Local Hero Award. Petri, known for his work with the Goo Goo Dolls
and 10,000 Maniacs, contributed to the scores of two films screening
at AFF: Mindflip and Cosmos (Mon, 9/14, 6:00 pm).
Taylor Martin, Director
Director Taylor Martin will receive the Lois Weber Award, named after
the silent film era pioneer who directed over 130 films. This award is
sponsored by the Valkyrie International Film Festival, run by
Lamberson’s wife Tamar and their daughter Kaelin.
The William R. Thompson Film Champion Award, named in memory of
Lamberson’s late uncle, a highly respected film distribution
executive, will be presented to distinguished professors Diane
Christian and Bruce Jackson for their work programming and hosting the
Buffalo Film Seminars.
Full Festival Fantasy Passes are available for purchase only at the
Amherst Theatre box office for $80 ($60 for students and seniors). Day
Passes will be available at the box office when the festival begins,
for $30 (Fri, Sat or Sun) or $20 (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs).
Regular admission for individual blocks is $15 ($10 for matinees
before 5 pm and are available online at Dipsontheaters.com.
For the schedule and film descriptions, visit www.amazingfantasyfest.com