The upcoming edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival is gearing up to showcase an exciting lineup, headlined by the world premiere of the AI-driven sci-fi thriller Hot Spot. Directed by Agnieszka Smoczyńska and starring Noomi Rapace, the film is already generating buzz ahead of its theatrical release later this year.
Backed by Focus Features, Hot Spot explores a futuristic world where a private investigator dives into a complex murder case shaped by advanced artificial intelligence. The film also features performances from Andrzej Konopka and Reika Kirishima, adding international depth to the cast.
Celebrating its 30th edition, the festival will run from July 16 to August 2 in Montreal, continuing its tradition of highlighting bold and genre-defining cinema from around the world. Alongside Hot Spot, several other films will make their world premieres during the event.
Among them is The Last Temptation of Becky by Jenn Wexler, the third installment in the action-thriller Becky series, featuring Lulu Wilson, Kate Siegel, and Neil Patrick Harris. Another standout is No Rest For the Wicked by Kasper Kalle, a unique take on vampire storytelling with a queer narrative, starring Egor Venned and Pilou Asbæk.
The lineup also includes Home Bodies, a sci-fi thriller from Casey Walker, where twin actors Emma and Ian Ho portray children raised in isolation by an automated home system. These films highlight the festival’s commitment to fresh storytelling and experimental ideas.
In addition to world premieres, attendees will get early looks at films such as Sour Minnows by Harrison Atkins, Tight Lettuce by Harrison Houde, and Ancestral Beasts, a psychological horror directed by Tim Riedel. Holiday horror film Unholy Night! by Michael Gabriele also joins the lineup with a strong ensemble cast.
The festival will further present North American premieres, including Makoto Ueda’s debut You Are the Film, Yeom Ji-oh’s thriller The Eyes, Giddens Ko’s fantasy martial arts film Kung Fu, and Yusuke Iwasaki’s Anymart, which blends drama and dark humor in a retail setting.
As one of the world’s leading genre film festivals, Fantasia continues to spotlight innovative filmmakers while awarding standout entries through its prestigious Cheval Noir competition. Additional film announcements are expected in the coming weeks, building anticipation for this milestone edition.
