LA’s biggest genre film festival has announced its full 2021 slate, which includes the US premiere of Halloween Kills, a 35mm showing of Titane, and a tribute to Michael Mann. 

The highest-attended genre film festival in the United States, Beyond Fest is back for ten days, running from Wednesday, September 29 to Monday, October 11, 2021. This year’s program includes 39 feature films, 8 world premieres, 4 US premieres, and 17 West Coast premieres. Attendance at all screenings will require physical proof of COVID vaccination, and guests must follow mandatory mask mandates. 

Amongst the films selected this year are the Palme d’Or winner Titane, marking the first time that it’s playing in 35mm, while also having a drive-in screening occurring simultaneously. A fitting choice, given the film’s subject matter. 

Beyond Fest will have plenty of exciting appearances from filmmakers and cast members, including director David Gordon Green and producer Jason Blum for a post-screening Q&A after the US premiere of Halloween Kills, and director Scott Derrikson on site for the West Coast premiere of his latest, The Black Phone. 

Michael Mann will be in attendance at the festival, as they provide a special salute to the legendary filmmaker, including screenings of his films Thief and Collateral. 

The festival will also have several exciting repertory screenings, including a 4k restoration of A Clockwork Orange for the film’s 50th anniversary, and the West Coast premiere of the new 4k restoration of Andrzej Zuławski’s deeply unsettling Possession. Making its world premiere at the fest is the 80’s Kung-fu-ploitation film New York Ninja, courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome. 

We’ve put together a handy list for the full Beyond Fest ‘21 lineup here, perfectly suited for making additions to your Letterboxd watchlists. 

Tickets will be available via americancinematheque.com starting September 17th at 10AM PST. Visit their site and beyondfest.com for details.

—Mitchell Beaupre, Festiville Editor

(Header image from ‘Halloween Kills’)