Imagine: Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
From sci-fi to cult, anime to fantasy, horror to experimental. Imagine, formerly known as the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival (AFFF), will celebrate its 28th edition from 17 to 28 April 2012 at the Kriterion Film Theatre.
Horror, fantasy and sci-fi
Over the years, this single event evolved and matured into what it is today: an international film festival, which has broadened its taste and selection to include fantasy, cult, anime and science fiction, though it still screens the very best international horror releases.
Its fan base has grown substantially over time and still caters to the obscure, scary and bizarre. 17,000 film fanatics attended the event in 2011.
Beyond film
Imagine isn’t only about the filmic side of life. In addition to more than 50 long and short films, both domestic and international directors are invited to discuss their work in symposiums.
And, for hard core horror fans, there’s the annual Night of Terror at Amsterdam’s Tuschinski which features three films and a surprise addition only announced on the night.
Cine Latino Fantástico
The theme for 2011's Imagine was Cine Latino Fantástico which saw the festival delve into South American and Mexican film production. It looked at how, following years of dictatorship and civil war, a new generation of filmmakers is emerging keen to celebrate liberty with a colourful, no-holds-barred view of the fantastical.
A full programme listing and screening times will be available on the Imagine website nearer the time.
2011 editor's tips
With more than fifty fantastic films on offer, deciding where to look for fright and fantasy isn't easy. Here's a few tips from last year's edition to get you started:
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Hobo with a Shotgun (pictured, right) - 2011's prestigious Career Achievement Award went to none other than Dutch film legend Rutger Hauer. The ceremony took place on the opening night of the festival, on which Hauer will also attended the Dutch premiere of his latest film Hobo with a Shotgun. The bloody action comedy sees Hauer pump bullets into criminals, giving more than just a nod of acknowledgement to 70s B-movies.
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Rubber - A tyre. On a killing spree. Simple horror-comedy genius!
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At World's End - Tomas Villum Jensen's 2009 thriller kicks off as the crew of a wildlife documentary discovers a new plant species in the jungle of Sumatra. However, their excitement is short-lived as a bearded Dane jumps from the bushes and kills the crew members one by one. With a screenplay by the writer of Adam’s Apples and The Green Butchers.
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