Fantastic Fest Announces Opening Night Film

At the risk of repeating myself too much I will again express my love for a film festival in Austin, TX known as Fantastic Fest. It features some of the best and most innovative programming and events of any festival I’ve been to and is also a whole lot of fun. So naturally, whenever there’s news from the fest, as their is today, I’m going to share it.

With that in mind comes today’s news. Fantastic Fest has announced its opening night film and, drum roll please, that film is the vampire thriller Let Me In. The film, directed by Cloverfield‘s Matt Reeves, stars Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Elias Koteas and Richard Jenkins, tells the story of an alienated boy named Owen (Smit-McPhee) who spies on the other residents of his apartment complex. His only friend is his new neighbor, a young girl (Moretz) who lives with her silent father (Jenkins) and who turns out not to be at all what she seems.

The film will screen following a red carpet event and kick off the fest on Thursday, September 23rd at The Paramount Theater in Austin. Knowing the fest as I do this seems like a perfect film to kick things off. Sure, some people may not be into this upcoming remake of the terrific Let the Right One In but as a fan of Reeves’ earlier work on Cloverfield and after having seen some info about this new film, I’m convinced this was a great way to go.

Fantastic Fest runs from September 23-30 in Austin, Texas. Check out the full press release after the jump.

****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****
FANTASTIC FEST 2010 ANNOUNCES
“LET ME IN” FOR OPENING NIGHT
The U.S. Premiere Will Open Fantastic Fest on Thursday, September 23

Austin, TX—Tuesday, August 17, 2010— Fantastic Fest is pleased to announce the opening night film will be the U.S. premiere of the highly anticipated Let Me In, directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) and starring Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island) and Richard Jenkins (The Visitor). The red carpet event will take place on Thursday, September 23 at The Paramount Theatre with director Matt Reeves and cast members in attendance.

Let Me In is a terrifying tale about an alienated 12-year old (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who is viciously bullied by his classmates and neglected by his divorcing parents. Achingly lonely, Owen spends his days plotting revenge on his middle school tormentors and his evenings spying on the other inhabitants of his apartment complex. His only friend is his new neighbor Abby (Chloe Moretz), an eerily self-possessed young girl who lives next door with her silent father (Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins).

“We are truly honored that Fantastic Fest has chosen to open their festival with the U.S. premiere of Let Me In. It is incredibly exciting to be able to present the film to an audience who I know are just as passionate about John Ajvide Linqvist’s story as I am,” said director Matt Reeves.

“Fantastic Fest has been following the development of this movie with rabid interest and we couldn’t be more excited to share what Matt Reeves has up his sleeve in adapting this incredible story. We anticipate that this will solidify his place as a visionary genre artist,” said Fantastic Fest co-founder Tim League. And more than anything Fantastic Fest is ecstatic to see vampires doing what they do best – horrifying us with their bloodlust. Fantastic Fest is also cooking up a gorgeous Mondo poster for Let Me In from artist Olly Moss.

Fantastic Fest is scouring the globe for the very best in action, horror, science fiction, fantasy to the truly bizarre in contemporary cinema for your viewing pleasure. Look for more announcements in the weeks to come, including information on our gala events, parties and AMD Next Wave filmmakers in attendance.

Fantastic Fest is the film festival with the boring parts cut out. Miss this one and your regrets will agonize you for years to come. You have been warned.

For photos of Let Me In, visit http://www.fantasticfest.com/press/download-2010-stills/

For more photos from Fantastic Fest, visit: http://bit.ly/dzNrwX

About Fantastic Fest
www.fantasticfest.com
Dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by showbiz bible Variety, Fantastic Fest is also known as the “Comic Con of film festivals.” Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the United States, showcasing eight days of offbeat cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. The 2009 edition hosted over 70 world, U.S. and regional premieres of the latest sci-fi, horror, fantasy and cult films from around the world.

Our Partners
IFC is returning as a significant media partner this year, with the added support of our new media partner Time Warner Cable. KXAN Austin News (NBC) and The CW Austin (CW) are the brand new broadcast media television partners, providing extensive media and promotions for both Fantastic Fest and Fantastic Arcade. Dell and AMD are teamed up to support the Next Wave Filmmakers Competition at Fantastic Fest, along with the Texas Film Commission. We have also partnered with Ambhar Tequila, the official tequila of Fantastic Fest, which should make every party and event at Fantastic Fest that much more fantastic. Other partners include Ain’t It Cool News, Austin Chronicle, 101X FM, The Onion, Chud, Fangoria, FEARnet, HitFix, Moving Pictures and Twitch.

About Alamo Drafthouse
www.drafthouse.com
The Alamo Drafthouse is a lifestyle entertainment brand with an acclaimed cinema-eatery, the largest genre film festival in the United Sates and an online collectible art store. Named “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO, Tim League, created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Also regarded as the “Comic Con of film festivals” Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of offbeat cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood Studios. The Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art boutique, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and Movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek & Universal Monsters. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is currently planning to expand its theaters and unique programming philosophy to additional markets across the United States.