Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival
Encyclopedia
The Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival (MIFFF), is a three day international genre film
festival
held annually in Seattle, Washington. MIFFF is the premiere Pacific northwest
event devoted to action
, animation, fantasy
, horror
, and science fiction
cinema
from across the globe. The SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall
hosts MIFFF which resides on the campus of Seattle Center
.
in Montreal, Fantastic Fest
in Austin, and the first genre film festival, the Sitges Film Festival in Catalonia. MIFFF was registered shortly thereafter as a Washington State non-profit and acts as the parent organization of the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival. The festival feature a diverse selection of cult
genre cinema from around the globe – with the possibility of artists presenting the works themselves.
in Seattle, Washington.
The festival showcased 4 feature films and 41 short films from around the world.
in Seattle, Washington.
The festival showcased 6 feature films and 33 short films from around the world.
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
festival
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
held annually in Seattle, Washington. MIFFF is the premiere Pacific northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
event devoted to action
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
, animation, fantasy
Fantasy film
Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap...
, horror
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
, and science fiction
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
cinema
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
from across the globe. The SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall
McCaw Hall
The Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is a performance hall and opera house, located in Seattle, Washington. Inaugurated in June 2003, it was constructed within the basic steel support structure of the earlier Seattle Opera House, originally created for the World's Fair in 1962 and gutted for this...
hosts MIFFF which resides on the campus of Seattle Center
Seattle Center
Seattle Center is a park and arts and entertainment center in Seattle, Washington. The campus is the site used in 1962 by the Century 21 Exposition. It is located just north of Belltown in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood.-Attractions:...
.
Overview
The "Founding Fathers" of MIFFF are Eric Morgret, Isaac Alexander, Rick Tillman, Gabe de los Angeles & Dan Doody. The festival was first conceived at a gathering in June 2008, which led to the first event taking place in September 2009. The event was created to offer exposure to films that traditionally are overlooked by the mainstream festival circuit from genres including action, animation, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. The vision drew inspiration from other genre film festivals across the globe such as Fantasia FestivalFantasia Festival
Fantasia International Film Festival is a genre film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996...
in Montreal, Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest is an annual film festival in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 2005 by Tim League of Alamo Drafthouse, Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool News, Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, and Tim McCanlies, writer of The Iron Giant and Secondhand Lions. The festival focuses on genre films such as horror,...
in Austin, and the first genre film festival, the Sitges Film Festival in Catalonia. MIFFF was registered shortly thereafter as a Washington State non-profit and acts as the parent organization of the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival. The festival feature a diverse selection of cult
Cult film
A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans. Often, cult movies have failed to achieve fame outside the small fanbases; however, there have been exceptions that have managed to gain fame among mainstream audiences...
genre cinema from around the globe – with the possibility of artists presenting the works themselves.
2011
The third annual MIFFF was held September 16–18, 2011 at the SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall in Seattle, Washington. The festival showcased 5 feature films and 49 short films from around the world.Feature films presented
- AbsentiaAbsentia (film)Absentia is an award-winning 2011 horror film written and directed by Mike Flanagan. It follows two sisters who begin to link a series of mysterious disappearances to an ominous tunnel near their house.-Plot:...
- Boy WonderBoy Wonder (film)Boy Wonder is a 2010 American psychological-thriller. The film was written and directed by Michael Morrissey and stars Caleb Steinmeyer, Zulay Henao, Bill Sage, Tracy Middendorf, Daniel Stewart Sherman, Chuck Cooper and James Russo.- Cast :...
- The Melancholy FantasticThe Melancholy FantasticThe Melancholy Fantastic is a upcoming American independent film written and directed by A.D. Calvo.-Plot:Still suffering from her mother's recent suicide, a delusional young girl falls for an alluring Goth, against the objections of a life-size talking doll...
- Midnight SonMidnight SonMidnight Son is a 2011 film directed by Scott Leberecht, written by Scott Leberecht, produced by Matt Compton, and starring Zak Kilberg. A trailer was released late October 2010.-Plot:...
- The Selling
Short films presented
- A Penny Earned
- Air
- Alley Dog
- Alone
- Antedon
- Arthur
- The Astronaut on the Roof
- Blind Luck
- Brutal Relax
- Call of Nature
- Cankered & Cursed
- Cosas Feas (Nasty Stuff)
- Dead Friends
- La Doncella Dormida (The Sleeping Maiden)
- Doppelganger
- Earthship
- Employé du Mois (Employee of the Month)
- Entanglement
- Escape Of The Gingerbread Man
- Fábrica de Muñecas (Dolls Factory)
- Facing Rupert
- Fitness Class Zombie
- The Girl and the Fox
- High Fashion
- Idle Worship
- Juan Con Miedo (Fearful John)
- Junk
- Junk Bonds: The Return of Junkbucket (trailer)
- Lonely
- Loom
- Mongrel's Creed
- Nullarbor
- Paths of Hate
- Payload
- Pharos
- Pinball
- Rantdog's Top Ten Zombies Ever
- R.O.A.C.H.
- Rosa
- Sharfik
- O Solitário Ataque de Vorgon (Vorgon's Lonesome Raid)
- Status
- Suffer
- Switch
- Toy House
- La Tragedia del Hombre Hueco (The Hollow Man's Tragedy)
- Vicenta
- The Waking
- The Year of the Child
Awards
- Best Feature (Audience Award): Boy WonderBoy Wonder (film)Boy Wonder is a 2010 American psychological-thriller. The film was written and directed by Michael Morrissey and stars Caleb Steinmeyer, Zulay Henao, Bill Sage, Tracy Middendorf, Daniel Stewart Sherman, Chuck Cooper and James Russo.- Cast :...
- Best Feature (Jury Award): AbsentiaAbsentia (film)Absentia is an award-winning 2011 horror film written and directed by Mike Flanagan. It follows two sisters who begin to link a series of mysterious disappearances to an ominous tunnel near their house.-Plot:...
- Best Animation Short (Audience & Jury Award): Nullarbor
- Best Fantasy Short (Audience Award): Employe du Mois
- Best Fantasy Short (Jury Award): Arthur
- Best Horror Short (Audience & Jury Award): Brutal Relax
- Best Sci-Fi Short (Audience Award): Mongrel's Creed
- Best Sci-Fi Short (Jury Award): Status
2010
The second annual MIFFF was held September 17–19, 2010 at the SIFF Cinema at McCaw HallMcCaw Hall
The Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is a performance hall and opera house, located in Seattle, Washington. Inaugurated in June 2003, it was constructed within the basic steel support structure of the earlier Seattle Opera House, originally created for the World's Fair in 1962 and gutted for this...
in Seattle, Washington.
The festival showcased 4 feature films and 41 short films from around the world.
Feature films presented
- Blood RiverBlood River (film)Blood River is a 2009 psychological thriller film written by Simon Boyes and Adam Mason and directed by Adam Mason. It follows a newlywed couple’s relationship during a chance encounter with a mysterious drifter in a deserted ghost town.-Cast:...
- Mørke Sjeler (Dark Souls)Dark Souls (film)Dark Souls is a Norwegian darkly satirical horror film, written and directed by César Ducasse and Mathieu Péteul. It premiered in Norway on January 14, 2011.- Plot :...
- The PresenceThe Presence (film)The Presence is a 2010 horror thriller film written and directed by Tom Provost. This film is the directorial debut for Tom Provost.-Cast:* Tony Curran as The Man In Black* Justin Kirk as The Man* Deobia Oparei as Woodsman* Mira Sorvino as The Woman...
- Srpski Film (A Serbian Film)A Serbian FilmA Serbian Film is a 2010 Serbian horror film and the first feature film directed by Srđan Spasojević. It tells the story of a down-on-his-luck porn star who agrees to participate in an "art film", only to discover that he has been drafted into a snuff film with child rape and necrophilic themes...
Short films presented
- A Complex Villainelle
- The Abaddon File
- Alice Jacobs Is Dead
- Babylon 2084
- Billy Baxter and the Mystery of Dr. Amazo
- Clemency
- Cockpit: The Rule of Engagement
- ConLang
- The Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger
- DemiUrge Emesis
- Dracula's Daughter vs The Space Brains
- Ducked and Covered: A Survival Guide to the Post Apocalypse
- Elder Sign
- The Familiar
- Father and Sister
- Flat Love
- Flowers for Norma
- The Hatter's Apprentice
- The Hollow Girl
- Journey Quest
- Kidnap
- The Lift
- Love Does Grow on Trees
- The Macabre World of Lavender Williams
- Manual Práctico del Amigo Imaginario(A Practical Guide for Imaginary Friends (abridged))
- The Necronomicon
- No Escape
- Noirville
- One Small Step
- Porque Hay Costas Que Nunca Se Olvidan (Because There Are Things We Never Forget)
- Red Revenge
- Rise of the Living Corpse
- Scottish Ninjas
- Slap Back Jack: High Five Master
- ST: Phoenix
- Street Angel
- SuperBattle (Episode 1)
- The 3rd Letter
- Thy Kill Be Done
- Toothnapped
- Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns
Awards
- Best Feature: The PresenceThe Presence (film)The Presence is a 2010 horror thriller film written and directed by Tom Provost. This film is the directorial debut for Tom Provost.-Cast:* Tony Curran as The Man In Black* Justin Kirk as The Man* Deobia Oparei as Woodsman* Mira Sorvino as The Woman...
- Best Action Short: Street Angel
- Best Animation Short: A Complex Villainelle
- Best Fantasy Short: Manual Practico del Amigo Imaginario (abreviado)
- Best Horror Short: The Familiar
- Best Sci-Fi Short: Babylon 2084
2009
The first MIFFF was held September 18–20, 2009 at the SIFF Cinema at McCaw HallMcCaw Hall
The Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is a performance hall and opera house, located in Seattle, Washington. Inaugurated in June 2003, it was constructed within the basic steel support structure of the earlier Seattle Opera House, originally created for the World's Fair in 1962 and gutted for this...
in Seattle, Washington.
The festival showcased 6 feature films and 33 short films from around the world.
Feature films presented
- The Ends Of The Earth
- Pig Hunt
- The RevenantThe RevenantThe Revenant is a horror/dark comedy film from Putrefactory Limited scheduled to be released fall 2011. The film was directed by D. Kerry Prior and stars David Anders as the title character...
- StrigoiStrigoi (film)Strigoi is a 2009 British/Romanian comedy horror based on the Romanian mythology. The film is directed by Faye Jackson and stars Constantin Bărbulescu, Camelia Maxim, and Rudi Rosenfeld...
- (West Coast Premier) - TimeTravel_0
- Until The Light Takes UsUntil The Light Takes UsUntil the Light Takes Us is a 2009 feature documentary about Norwegian black metal, from directors Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell.-Featured interviewees:* Gylve "Fenriz" Nagell...
Short films presented
- aQua ad lavandum - in brevi
- The Auburn Hills Breakdown
- Badewanne zum Glück (Bathtub To Happiness)
- Cheerbleeders
- Dead Bones
- Death In Charge
- The Delivery
- Egg Robot Momo
- Enigma
- Enter the Sandbox
- Fantastic Magnifico
- Firemount
- Foet
- La Glacière Rouge(The Red Icebox)
- Greenspoke
- Gul(Flower)
- Hart
- The Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon
- The Kirkie
- Lazarus Taxon
- Mr. Gun
- Milbe(Mite)
- Die Schneider Krankheit(The Schneider Disease)
- Skylight
- Sunday
- Thirsty
- The Tree Man
- Tropezones
- The Ugly File
- The Urge
- Virtual Dating
- Der Weltenbauer(The Builder Of Worlds)
- X-Mess Detritus
Awards
- Best Feature: StrigoiStrigoi (film)Strigoi is a 2009 British/Romanian comedy horror based on the Romanian mythology. The film is directed by Faye Jackson and stars Constantin Bărbulescu, Camelia Maxim, and Rudi Rosenfeld...
- Best Sci-Fi Short: Kirkie
- Best Horror Short: Death in Charge
- Best Fantasy Short: Hart
- Best Animation Short: Enter the Sandbox