FF '07 Don Dohler documentary BLOOD BOOBS & BEAST on DVD today!

Few films at FF draw an even larger crowd for their second screening, but the response to the first show of BLOOD BOOBS AND BEAST was so strong that the following show was absolutely packed.

The documentary tells the tale of unjustly overlooked shoestring scifi/horror filmmaker Don Dohler, a Baltimore family man who spent decades making some of the most innovative and entertaining creature features the world has never seen. Documentarian John Paul Kinhart captured the drive, respectability and uniqueness of Dohler in BB&B, and the audience of reacted with a huge amount of interest and emotion despite the fact that 99% of them had never heard of the guy before.

The fact is: it's a great film about a great filmmaker, and the DVD is being released as I type this. If you haven't seen this movie, buy it, rent it or buy it twice.

Here's the film's website, and
here's the link to just up and purchase your own!

Fantastic Fest presents Karaoke Apocalypse Mar 15

You always wanted to be in the band but didn't have the time, the energy or the talent. You wanted the chicks, the drugs, the booze, but you just couldn't get it together. Friends, you don't have to suffer your lame ass life anymore!

Get instant rock-star-fantasy gratification with KARAOKE APOCALYPSE. Live band backed karaoke for indolent rock stars!

You get to lead the band through your own rendition of a classic punk rock or heavy metal number. Choose from over 80 timeless headbanging, fist pumping songs!

We'll provide a lyric sheet with easy to read lyrics and directions on the arrangement of the song, but you shouldn't need them...because this ain't your granddad's karaoke, this shit is for real!

If you've ever seen KARAOKE APOCALYPSE perform before, you know they're a solid, well-rehearsed, talented outfit of ass kickers- and yet they let you be the one in the spotlight. If this is really what the apocalypse is like, call me the anti-christ.

This party is going down at the abandoned Salvation Army space in the Alamo South Lamar shopping center on Sunday, March 15. The party will end in time for the "SXSW presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight" shows that night. Admission is free, and beer and cocktails will be available. There is no advance sign-up, please find the hostess day of the show.

This show is open to the public, but 2009 Fantastic Fest and SXSW Badge Holders will have priority admission.

Showtimes posted for "SXSW presents Fantastic Fest" films

We've locked down the screening schedule for the six "SXSW presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight" titles. All titles will play at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar from the 13th to the 18th of March. Each title (with the exception of THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT) will screen twice. You can check out the full schedule on the Alamo Drafthouse site. If you click on any title, we have also uploaded trailers for all six films.

Also, to answer a few questions we've been getting about access to these shows. The SXSW presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight program is part of the SXSW Film Festival. A Fantastic Fest 2009 Badge will not get you into these screenings, you must have a SXSW badge or pass. You can buy passes at any Alamo Drafthouse Cinema location, or click on www.sxsw.com for more options.

SXSW Presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight

Austin, Texas – February 17, 2008 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival announced the official titles for their new program “SXSW Presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight,” kicking off with the International Film Festival Premiere of Ong Bak 2, the most anticipated new action film of the year. Six films from six countries comprise the lineup, featuring four international premieres, one North American premiere and one U.S. Premiere. From horror to action, to comedy and suspense, these six films collectively represent the spectrum of genre films featured in Austin’s annual Fantastic Fest. All films will play at midnight at the SXSW Film Festival at the Alamo South Lamar, in addition to the traditional SXSW Midnighters section, which will take place at the Alamo Ritz. The program will feature:

Ong Bak 2 (Thailand)
Director: Tony Jaa. Writer: Panna Rittikrai
Martial-arts superstar Tony Jaa is back in an epic prequel to the 2003 action smash Ong Bak. Cast: Tony Jaa, Sorapong Chatree, Sarunyu Wongkrachang, Nirut Sirichanya, Santisuk Promsiri, Primorata Dejudom (International Film Festival Premiere)

Black (France)
Director: Pierre Laffargue. Writer: Pierre Laffargue, Lucio Mad and Gábor Rassov
A nouveau-blacksploitation adventure awash in black magic, African Mysticism, mutant arms dealers, gargantuan machete-wielding mercenary armies and a truckload of knuckle-sandwiches. Cast: MC Jean Gab'1, Carole Karemera, François Levantal, Anton Yakovlev (World Premiere)

The Haunting in Connecticut (U.S.)
Director: Peter Cornwell. Writer: Adam Simon and Tim Metcalfe
In the tradition of such real-life horror movies as The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Haunting in Connecticut tells the astounding true story of one family's supernatural ordeal. Cast: Amanda Crew, Elias Koteas, Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Martin Donovan (International Film Festival Premiere)

The Horseman (Australia)
Director/Writer: Steve Kastrissios
When, Christian Forteski’s (Peter Marshall) drug addicted daughter dies after appearing in an amateur Porn Video, he deals with his grief by burning, kicking, smashing and stabbing his way through those responsible. Cast: Peter Marshall, Caroline Marohasy, Brad McMurray, Jack Henry, Evert McQueen (North American Premiere)

Lesbian Vampire Killers (UK)
Director: Phil Claydon. Writer: Paul Hupfield and Stewart Williams
Matthew Horne and James Corden, the comedy duo behind the award-winning BBC comedy series Gavin and Stacey, are two hapless losers whose idyllic country holiday is shattered by the arrival of an army of thirsty lesbian vampires. Cast: Paul McGann, James Corden, Mathew Horne, MyAnna Buring, Silvia Colloca (World Premiere)

Pontypool (Canada)
Director: Bruce McDonald. Writer: Tony Burgess
A seemingly ordinary day’s work at the radio station for Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) turns sinister when calls begin to flood the station about violent outbreaks in and around Pontypool. Cast: Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly, Hrant Alianak, Rick Roberts (U.S. Premiere)

The SXSW Film Festival (March 13 – 21 in Austin, TX) will open on March 13th with a screening of I Love You, Man, directed by John Hamburg and starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segel and Rashida Jones. The complete lineup and schedule can be found at http://sxsw.com/film/screenings/films/. SXSW will also host over 60 Film Conference panels, which will take place Friday, March 13 – Tuesday, March 17. For full panel descriptions and participants, visit www.sxsw.com/film/talks/panels. Check out http://www.sxsw.com/film often for more information and updates. For more information about Fantastic Fest (September 24 – October 1) visit www.fantasticfest.com.

South By Southwest Film Conference & Festival
SXSW offers a uniquely creative space for filmmakers, film fans, and even cinephiles to partake in the big and small picture discussions about filmmaking today. The Conference hosts a five-day adventure in the latest filmmaking trends and new technology, featuring Conversations with film icons, intimate mini-meetings and one-on-one mentor sessions with industry veterans. The internationally-acclaimed, nine-day Festival boasts some of the most wide-ranging programming of any US event of its kind, from provocative documentaries to subversive Hollywood comedies, with a special focus on emerging talents. Learn more at sxsw.com/film.

2009 Festival Sponsors
SXSW Film Conference and Festival is sponsored by Miller Lite, Fuze Beverage, ZonePerfect, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), Sierra Mist and The Austin Chronicle.

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PLEASE NOTE: Media registration for SXSW Film is still open - contact Elizabeth Derczo at press@sxsw.com for instructions on requesting press credentials. Press credential requests must be submitted by Friday, February 20, 2009. Walk-up requests for press credentials will not be granted.

Press Contact:

Rebecca Feferman
Film Press Liaison
rebecca@sxsw.com
T: 512-467-7979 x 236

Elizabeth Derczo
Publicity & Credentials
press@sxsw.com
T: 512-467-7979 x 209

Tim League
director
Fantastic Fest
info@fantasticfest.com
T: 512-912-0529

SXSW Presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight

Austin, Texas – February 9, 2008 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival announced today a new partnership with Fantastic Fest which will manifest through a new lineup in the official film festival program: “SXSW Presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight.” Now in its 5th year, Alamo Drafthouse’s Fantastic Fest has quickly become one of the largest genre film festivals in the United States and has been dubbed “Geek Telluride” and “one of the 10 festivals we love” by Variety. “SXSW Presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight” is a representative sample of the young festival’s signature midnight genre programming, featuring six new premieres exclusive to SXSW.

“The Alamo Drafthouse has been an eleven-year partner of SXSW,” says Fantastic Fest director and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. “In fact, our very first show at the original Alamo Drafthouse location was opening night of SXSW 1997. We are proud to work so closely with such a respected institution, and in 2009 with ‘SXSW Presents Fantastic Fest at Midnight,’ we plan to deliver one of the best movie experiences of the year for genre film fans.”

"We couldn't be more excited to enhance our Midnighters section with the infusion of six badass Fantastic Fest films," says SXSW Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson. "The Fantastic Fest, in its short life, has really added a lot of energy and fun here in Austin, and the Alamo Drafthouse is already such a natural and significant partner to SXSW, so it was a no-brainer to invite them to preview their program with us."

The full “SXSW presents Fantastic Fest at midnight” lineup will be announced later this month at www.sxsw.com. For more information about Fantastic Fest (September 24 - October 1) visit www.fantasticfest.com .