Fantasia Film Festival 2011

I must admit to you all that is, in fact, my first time attending the Fantasia Film Festival, but so far it's been a truly wonderful experience. At every screening, the people of the city are literally lining up the block to see these wonderful films. The atmosphere is busy and hustling. Everyone seems to know someone at this festival and it makes me a little nervous.

This year the grand prize is called “Le Prix du Cheval Noir”, it has been changed from regular old “Best Feature” because it was getting a little bland and Fantasia is anything but bland. The festival took this tale from old Quebecois folklore. A Priest, who wanted to build a new church, prayed to the heavens to aid him. His aid came in the form of a big black horse with incredible strength. The only instruction he was given was to never take off the horse’s bridle. One day, a workman did just that and removed the bridle from the horse and it vanished in a huge eruption of flame and thunder. The church remained unfinished. This year the legend has made it’s way to the festival’s poster.

This festival remains true to Montreal and the people. Every year, thousands of moviegoers flock to the box office and they really do want to see everything. The talent that is discovered here is truly inspirational. After watching the films that I have seen so far, I want to get out into the city with my camera and film something, anything!

I urge you to see as many films as you can because they are all very different; they make you laugh, cry, shiver, and explode with many different kinds of emotion. You will definitely feel something. You only have to see one film and you are sucked in. Especially because most of the directors and producers and some actors are showing up at these screenings and taking your questions and qualms. People cheer when blood is shown and the applause is infectious; you cannot help but participate in the crazy wild things that are surrounding you.

This festival cannot be missed. Tickets are being sold at the Concordia Hall Building 1455 boul. De Maisonneuve. The madness has already begun.

Keep checking back for ongoing coverage of the festival and it's films.

-Andrea Boulet