| Beyond Fest | |
| Location: | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Language: | International |
| Website: | beyondfest.com |
Beyond Fest is the largest genre film festival in the United States,[1] held annually in Los Angeles, California. Established in partnership with the American Cinematheque, Beyond Fest focuses on showcasing horror, science fiction, fantasy, and other genre films. The festival features a diverse range of programming, including new releases, rare retrospectives, and special events.
Beyond Fest was established to cater to the genre film community in Los Angeles. Since its inception, it has expanded in both size and prestige, becoming a major event for genre film fans. The festival functions as a non-profit organization, with its proceeds benefiting the American Cinematheque, a 501(c)(3) non-profit film institution committed to celebrating the cinematic arts.[2]
The festival's schedule features a blend of world and U.S. premieres, along with special screenings that frequently include appearances and Q&A sessions with directors, actors, and other industry experts. Beyond Fest is renowned for its diverse selection, showcasing both modern and classic genre films.[3]
Head of programming is Evrim Ersoy.[4]
2023: The 11th edition of Beyond Fest showcased 57 films over 15 days. Highlights included "The Abyss: Special Edition" with director James Cameron in attendance, "The Creator" by Gareth Edwards, and "Manhunter" with director Michael Mann present.[5]
2023: The festival honored producer Roger Corman with a presentation of four films, followed by a discussion with several directors who started their careers working for the renowned genre icon.[6]