Fantastic Fest is back at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas, running from September 17th–24th. As the U.S.’s largest genre film festival, it brings eight action-packed days of premieres, wild events, and special guests celebrating horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and independent cinema. (Fantastic Fest/Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 2026)

This year’s lineup features 35 world premieres, 21 international and North American premieres, and 14 U.S. premieres. Highlights include opening night gala screenings of Resident Evil and Lionsgate’s Beware Boiúna, the closing night world premiere of The Swallow, Mike Flanagan debuting his Carrie series, and independent titles like Death of a Yellow Bird and I Have Proof!. Full film guide here.

Venue Information
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
1120 South Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704

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Two standout indie titles screening this week offer a deep dive into psychological dread and absurdist horror. (EG PR, 2026)

SICK (World Premiere)

• Genre: Drama / Horror
• Runtime: 90 minutes (In Polish with English subtitles)
• Country: Poland
• Directed & Written by: Agata Trzebuchowska
• Starring: Konrad Kąkol, Katarzyna Łubik, Monika Niemczyk, Julian Świeżewski, and Eliza Rycembel

Official Screenings

• World Premiere: Friday, Sept 18 at 5:30 PM (Theater 6)
• Additional Screenings: Thursday, Sept 24 at 5:45 PM (Theaters 6 & 7)

Plot Overview

During the summer holidays, 16-year-old Maks and his 19-year-old sister Emma are sent to the Polish countryside to care for their ailing grandmother. Trapped in the heavy, stifling isolation of the summer heat, their sibling bond begins to shift into something unsettling and difficult to define. As tensions rise, their grandmother’s frail presence takes on a disturbing quality, turning an idyllic summer into a haunting passage into adulthood.

About the Filmmaker

Agata Trzebuchowska first gained international recognition starring in Paweł Pawlikowski’s Oscar-winning film Ida. Following her short film debuts Heat and Vacancy, Sick marks her anticipated feature-length directorial debut.

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LITTERMATES (Drafthouse Exclusive)

• Genre: Absurdist Horror
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• Country: USA
• Written & Directed by: Scott Tinkham and Michael Woloson
• Starring: Joey Bader, Oliver Woolf, and Kaylee McGregor
• Theatrical Release Date: November 6, 2026

Official Screening

• Screening: Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 PM (Theater 9)

Plot Overview

Set against the backdrop of a mysterious war, Littermates follows two disoriented survivors, Liam (Joey Bader) and Mel (Kaylee McGregor), who arrive bloodied and speechless at an isolated English countryside cottage. Taken in by an enigmatic caretaker named Chester (Oliver Woolf), they spend their days relearning basic tasks and earning “nifties” for good behavior. While Liam settles into the structured routine, Mel grows increasingly drawn to the forbidden woods outside—testing the fragile order of their makeshift family.

About the Filmmakers

• Scott Tinkham is a Minnesota-based writer and director whose work explores dark comedy and emotional sincerity. His short 24 Hours After Reading Tuesdays with Morrie premiered at SXSW 2025.
• Michael Woloson is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and cinematographer known for character-driven narratives focusing on memory and time. He served as cinematographer and producer on Tinkham’s SXSW short.

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