Fantastic Fest 2012: Captured Bird Leads Short Films Shown at Fantastic Fest

You’ll find the line-up inside.

Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world.  Fantastic Fest is held each year at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on South Lamar in Austin, Texas.

38-39°C (2011)

Regional Premiere

Director: Jason Hong, South Korea, 8 minutes

A father and son confront the emotional divide that separates them in the intimate setting of a Korean bathhouse.

88:88 (2012)

Regional Premiere

Director: Joey Ciccoline, USA, 14 minutes

Val has lost control of her life. Those around her deny the reality of the extraordinary experiences she feels powerless against. Realizing she must stand alone, she has only one remaining option – to find a way to fight back.

ADVANTAGEOUS (2012)

Regional Premiere

Director: Jennifer Phang, USA 23 minutes

Gwen is the spokesperson for a radical technology allowing people to overcome their natural disadvantages. But when her job and family are in crisis, will she undergo the procedure herself?

AT THE FORMAL (2012)

Austin Premiere

Director: Andrew Kavanagh, Australia, 8 minutes

Modern and ancient rituals collide in this macabre depiction of a high school formal.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER MUTANT CHICKENS (2011)

Austin Premiere

Director: Nayeem Mahbub, Bangladesh, 15 minutes

In the near future, Bangladesh is terrorized by killer mutant chickens. A team of kung-fu fighting chefs must hunt the killer chickens in order to keep chicken on their menu.

BENDITO MACHINE IV (2012)

North American Premiere

Director: Jossie Malis, Spain, 10 minutes

An improbable hero embarks on a crude journey by land, sea and air -throughout all the attractions of a planet turned into a massive petrochemical  park… and beyond

BIO-COP (2012)

US Premiere

Director: Steven Kotanski, USA, 5 minutes

A new super drug is about to hit the streets of New York, and only one man can stop it: Bio-Cop. He’s crime’s worst enemy…and his own.

BOBBY YEAH (2011)

Texas Premiere

Director: Robert Morgan, UK, 23 minutes

Bobby Yeah is a petty thug who lightens his miserable existence by brawling and stealing stuff. One day, he steals the favourite pet of some very dangerous individuals, and finds himself in deep trouble. He really should learn, but he just can’t help it.

BRAINS? (2012)

North American Premiere

Director: Giles McNeill, New Zealand, 7 minutes

Four sociable Zombies enjoy a meal of delicious brains, but are confronted by terrifying, yet tasty-smelling humanity, which will change their un-dead existence forever.

THE CAPTURED BIRD (2012)

US Premiere

Director: Jovanka Vuckovic, Canada, 12 minutes

In this dark fable, a little girl is drawn to a mysterious mansion where she witnesses the birth of five horrifying apparitions.

CATERWAUL (2012)

Regional Premiere

Director: Ian Samuels, USA, 14 minutes

An aging fisherman develops an intimate relationship with a lobster at the risk of reawakening an irresolvable loss.

CHILLY (2012)

Regional Premiere

Director: Dylan Kohler, USA, 5 minutes

As the heat rises in a stuffy hotel room, a talking ice cube pitches the wonders of modern refrigeration to a strangely distracted man.

CROWN (2012)

Austin Premiere

Director: AG Rojas, USA, 8 minutes

A gang of street kids turns an unassuming house into a haven for middle aged junkies hooked on a most bizarre narcotic.  Doug, a habitual user, returns to experience a surreal high from which he may not return.

CRUSH THE SKULL (2012)

Austin Premiere

Director: Viet Nguyen, USA, 9 minutes

It’s too familiar of a scenario for a young couple who break down on a desolate road and an ominous stranger shows up out of nowhere to assist them.

DIALOGUE (2012)

World Premiere

Director: Josh Johnson, USA, 1 minute

A couple struggles with an unexpected development.

FOLLOW THE SUN! (2012)

Texas Premiere

Director: Teddy Dibble, USA, 4 minutes

While we have a few minutes before the show, why not stop by our refreshment stand? We have all kinds of tasty treats — delicious pizza, ice-cold refreshments, fresh popcorn and Milk Bombs! Tempt your taste buds today with our selection of sweets and all-American beef products! Popcorn for all eternity! Hell’s on it’s way!

GAME (2012)

US Premiere

Director: Josh MacDonald, Canada, 8 minutes

Through the woods, a cat-and-mouse game unfolds between a businesswoman and her three monstrous pursuers.

GET REAL! (2010)

US Premiere

Director: Evert de Beijer, Netherlands, 12 minutes

A high school student is addicted to a computer game in which he portrays a bodyguard protecting a sexy female singer. He overcomes his obsession once a real girl in his class gives him his first kiss.

HELL CAT (2012)

Austin Premiere

Director: Ged Murray, Ireland, 10 minutes

Charlotte is obsessed with her talking cat Charlie’s Youtube hits. But when her new boyfriend tries to muscle in between her and her cat, all hell breaks loose.

LE LAC NOIR (2011)

US Premiere

Director: Victor Jaquier, Switzerland, 20 minutes

Madeleine and Jean are living on the shores of an alpine lake. One day, Jean catches a huge fish, and in the stomach he discovers a young boy that sets Madeleine’s memories in motion.

LEGEND  (2012)

US Premiere

Director: Pau Teixidor, Spain, 15 minutes

Claudia, a ten-year-old girl, leaves with her family to spend the weekend out of town. During their car trip, they decide to take a short rest at an abandoned gas station. The appearance of a strange woman will reveal her true fate to Claudia.

LIGHT FRIDAY (2012)

North American Premiere

Director: Asier Abio, Spain, 10 minutes

Feliciano is eating french fries with light mayonnaise while watching TV. It’s a boring Friday night until he stumbles upon a racy channel.

LITTLE APPLIANCES (2012)

World Premiere

Director: Manuel Arija de la Cuerda, Spain, 9 minutes

A shy couple on their first date will discover each other’s unexpected compatibilities.

LOVE (2012)

Regional Premiere

Director: Kaveh Nabatian, Canada, 7 minutes

New Years’ Eve.  Boy meets girl.  Boy doesn’t have condom.  A film about unprotected sex, destiny, and soul music.

MEAT STICK MAN (2012)

World Premiere

Director: Jared Bentley, USA, 3 minutes

A dark take on the “Snap in to a Slim Jim” ads.  Meat Stick Man bursts into a young boy’s room to personally “feed” his hunger, only to find the boy needs some convincing.

MI BURRO! EP. 1 ESOS HUESOS (2012)

Austin Premiere

Director Zach Passero, USA, 8 minutes

Orphaned Niño loves Burro and would do anything for his friend. Burro, a retired Donkey loves that Niño would. Together they have banded together as a support system for one another as Niño and his parasitic friend navigate gonzo adventures in a Mexican seaside village.

MI BURRO! EP. 2 SOLO EN SUEÑOS (2012)

World Premiere

Director Zach Passero, USA 13 minutes

The continuing adventures of Niño and Burro!

MODERN FAMILY (2011)

Regional Premiere

Director: Kim Kwang-bin, South Korea, 18 minutes

Hyun-soo hears unexpected news when he receives a call from home during a meeting.

OUT OF ERASERS (2010)

Austin Premiere

Director: Erik Rosenlund, Sweden, 15 minutes

As the world transforms, you’re the last one to find out.

PAPERMAN (2012)

Austin Premiere

Director: John Kahrs, USA, 6 minutes

The crown jewel topping off the Drawn and Quartered program this year, PAPERMAN introduces a groundbreaking technique that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation techniques.  First-time director John Kahrs takes the art of animation in a bold new direction using a minimalist black-and-white style.  The short follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute.

POSTHUMAN (2012)

Texas Premiere

Director: Cole Drumb, USA, 6 minutes

A genius hacker and his dog help an enigmatic young woman to free the remaining test subjects of a black ops ESP test lab.

THE QUIET GIRLS GUIDE TO VIOLENCE (2012)

World Premiere

Director: Rafael Antonio Ruiz, USA, 15 minutes

A victim of childhood bullying decides she will no longer suffer silently in this darkly comic story of revenge and Christmas.

THE RECIPE (2012)

US Premiere

Director: Jason Noto, Italy, 5 minutes

After a boy is confronted with death for the first time, he turns to his imagination for protection and understanding.

RECORD/PLAY (2012)

Regional Premiere

Director: Jesse Atlas, USA, 11 minutes

A malfunctioning cassette tape captures more than just audio in this sci-fi love story.

SÉANCE (2012)

Texas Premiere

Director: Zachary Beckler, USA, 15 minutes

Alice and Daniel are married and expecting their first child. They just bought nice little house for their new family. Unfortunately, the house appears to be haunted. They host a séance party to cast the spirit out. It awakens something…

SKINFECTIONS 1: MY MAIN SQUEEZE (2011)

US Premiere

Director: Chris Nash, Canada, 9 minutes

A socially inept introvert with an emotional dependency on bubble wrap finds herself on an unexpected blind date

SKINFECTIONS 2: BLACKHEAD (2009)

Regional Premiere

Director: Chris Nash, Canada, 14 minutes

A man with intimacy issues wakes up one morning to find an abnormally large blackhead growing in the middle of his back

SKINFECTIONS 3: LIPLOCK (2011)

US Premiere

Director: Chris Nash, Canada, 18 minutes

A lonely woman’s plan to hook up with her ex while her current boyfriend is away on business goes horribly wrong.

SLAGBRØDRE (2012)

Texas Premiere

Director: Kristoffer Jørgensen, Norway, 9 minutes

Northern Norway 1929: A man returns home after years of absence and receives a less than cordial welcome from his brother.

THE SLEEPOVER (2012)

World Premiere

Director: Chris Cullari, USA, 5 minutes

The town of Derry has a secret, but no one told the new kid.  It’s gonna be a long night.

SPACEWRECKED (2012)

North American Premiere

Director: Kalle Doniselli Gulbrandsen, Norway, 14 minutes

After witnessing the total destruction of planet Earth 20 years earlier, two Norwegian astronauts must fight extreme boredom while living inside a cramped space station.

SUGAR (2010)

Austin Premiere

Director: Jeroen Annokkeé, Netherlands, 8 minutes

Klaasje, Bert’s scantily-dressed downstairs neighbor, stops by to borrow a cup of sugar. What appears to be a normal situation becomes Bert’s worst nightmare.

THE TEA PARTY (2012)

North American Premiere

Director: Cameron McCulloch, Australia, 12 minutes

Princess has waited a long time to finally meet her Prince Charming, the only thing standing in their way is her foul mouthed pets and the lack of a Afternoon Tea condiment.

THIS IS NOT REAL (2011)

Texas Premiere

Director: Gergely Wootsch, UK, 7 minutes

A young boy’s chimerical journey from a small town to the Himalayas with an all-defining conclusion.

TOO LATE (2012)

World Premiere

Director: Rani Naamani, USA, 2 minutes

On a dark and gloomy night, John finds himself struggling against time as he painfully morphs into something else…

TRAM (2012)

Texas Premiere

Director: Michaela Pavlatova, Czech Republic, 7 minutes

A coproduction of Sacrebleu Productions and Negativ Film ; the humdrum daily routine of a Tram conductress takes an interesting turn when she allows her imagination to wander

THE TRANSMISSION (2012)

Regional Premiere

Director: Brian Lonano, USA, 6 minutes

While a storm rages outside and Henry drinks his bottle of absinthe, he receives a television transmission…from his dead wife.

VIDEOBOY (2011)

US Premiere

Director: Stian Kristiansen, Norway, 33 minutes

The relationship between 13 year old Hasse and Pål is tested the day they accept an offer to visit a boy who is famous for his collection of videofilms. The journey they take gets darker and darker, and the young boys are forced to meet boundaries that they never have been even close to. Nothing will ever be the same.

VIENNA WAITS FOR YOU (2012)

North American Premiere

Director: Dominik Hartl, Austria, 26 minutes

After breaking up with her boyfriend Daniel, Anna just wants to hole up somewhere and recover. But she should have had a closer look at the fine-print of her rental contract – for the old Viennese apartment is a creature with never ending appetite, living of the youth of its residents.


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