Fantastic Fest, the Alamo Drafthouse’s celebration of weird and wonderful cinema from around the globe, is returning, and will be one of the first major in-person festivals to take place in theatres. However, for those not ready for travel or packed screenings, the fest is retaining a virtual component.

Passes for the 2021 edition, running Sept. 23-30 at the Alamo South Lamar, are on sale now at Fantasticfest.com, and includes the option of logging in to the virtual Fantastic Fest @ Home, running Sept. 30-Oct. 11, following on from last year’s pandemic-era online Celebration of Fantastic Fest. The streaming experience will feature a selection of titles from this year’s in-person festival, as well as favorites from previous years. Access will be available as a separate badge, but will be included with Fan and Superfan badges, or with a 50% discount for second half badge holders, or 25% if you buy a Midnight pass.

Founded in 2005, the festival has hosted the world premieres of titles as diverse as Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood and M. Night Shyamalan’s Split, and provided a U.S. launching pad for smashes and cult classics like John Wick and Parasite. However, it’s really built its reputation as a proofing ground for rising new talents like Jeremy Saulnier (Blue Ruin, Green Room), Issa López (Tigers are Not Afraid), Nacho Vigalondo (Time Crimes, Colossal), Ben Wheatley (Down Terrace, High-Rise), and Rose Glass (Saint Maud). As always, the fest promises a return to opening and closing night galas, plus special events like Fantastic Feud, Karaoke Night, Trivia Dome, Nerd Rap, and 100 Best Kills.

Fantastic Fest 2020, Sept. 23-30; Fantastic Fest @ Home, Sept. 30-Oct. 10. Info and passes at Fantasticfest.com.

This article appears in June 18 • 2021.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.