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| - I'm proud to count myself a supporter of the FanTasia Festival since its humble origins at the Imperial Theatre in the late '90s. In the early days I recall catching great Asian actioners like High Risk and Drunken Master and Italian giallo horror like Deep Red (I was there when Karim Hussain, one of the festival organizers, apologized for a missing reel of the latter in front of the audience, then proceeded to act it out for everyone to provide context).
In the years since it's moved to Concordia, I've been privileged to be introduced to so many other great films as world, North American, or Canadian premieres - bigger titles include Haute Tension, Shaun of the Dead, Ju-On, Undead, One Missed Call, Cabin Fever, Big Bad Wolves, and on and on, not to mention dozens of smaller titles that are equally remarkable. That many screenings feature Q&As afterward with cast or crew is just gravy.
After a brief return to the Imperial in 2013 as the Concordia theaters underwent some much-needed renovations, FanTasia is back home and better than ever, with more comfortable seating but the same enthusiastic yet respectful and no-attitude crowds.
All hail FanTasia and longtime organizer Mitch Davis! Forget best film festival... this is the city's best festival, period.
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