Key Facts
The Fantasia International Film Festival's co-production market, Frontières, has announced its 2026 lineup, featuring a record 136 submissions for the Market and 58 for the Shorts to Features strand. The event, known for spotlighting emerging genre filmmakers, includes 20 official selection projects, 10 of which are first features. Highlights range from a zombie wedding comedy to Thai folk horror noir and a half-body Filipino vampire.
Record Submissions and Industry Buzz
Frontières executive director Annick Mahnert noted that the surge in submissions reflects a booming genre film landscape. 'It’s a pretty extraordinary year for genre, to be honest,' she said, citing recent successes like 'Obsession' and A24's 'Undertone.' Major studios such as Searchlight and Focus Features are now attending, a first for the market. Mahnert emphasized a return to basics, focusing on 'the new generation of filmmakers' and 'little gems.'
Standout Projects
'Cher' (Thailand)
Directed by Songsak Mongkolthong, 'Cher' is a supernatural folk horror noir starring Thai stars Mim Rattanawadee Wongthong, Pae Arak, and Weir Sukollawat. The film follows a cop investigating a vine-covered corpse near a mining camp, clashing with his brother over a vengeful forest spirit. Producer Hans Audric Estialbo said, 'True horror reveals the heart of a culture... we are proud to empower Thai filmmakers to bring our local folklore onto the world’s cinematic stages.'
'Cold Feet' (Czech Republic, France, Poland, India)
Directed by Apoorva Satish, this romantic zombie comedy centers on an interracial couple whose wedding guests turn into flesh-eating monsters. The couple must keep choosing each other to survive. Satish described it as 'an interracial couple reclaiming their relationship from everyone convinced they know what their love should look like.'
'My Missing Half' (Philippines)
This film features a half-bodied Filipino vampire and recently won the Asian Discovery Award and Badclay VFX Innovation Award at South Korea's Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). Produced by This Side Up, which won a Sundance Special Jury Prize for 'Leonor Will Never Die,' the project highlights growing Asian presence at Frontières.
'Delivery' (Mexico)
Isaac Ezban's latest is a time travel sci-fi road movie about a lonely trucker and an abandoned girl. Ezban called it 'my most personal project yet,' exploring 'the passage of time' and 'the borders we create in our relationships.'
'Any Means Necessary' (Canada)
Directed by George Mihalka ('My Bloody Valentine'), this documentary celebrates Cinépix, the Canadian studio that launched careers of David Cronenberg and Ivan Reitman. Featuring interviews with Eli Roth and Slash, it explores how Cinépix battled censorship and expanded genre boundaries.
Impact and Significance
Frontières 2026 underscores the growing global appetite for genre cinema, with Asian projects particularly strong. The market's expansion to festivals like Berlin, TIFF, and Tokyo's Tiffcom indicates increasing international collaboration. As Mahnert noted, 'As the world is opening up... more and more countries are looking for either investors or co-producers outside of Asia.' The record submissions and studio interest signal a vibrant future for independent genre filmmaking.
What Readers Should Know
- Frontières 2026 runs during Fantasia in Montreal, with additional showcases at Berlin, TIFF, and Tiffcom.
- 10 of 20 official selection projects are first features, highlighting new talent.
- Notable projects include 'Cher' (Thai folk horror), 'Cold Feet' (zombie wedding comedy), 'My Missing Half' (Filipino vampire), and 'Delivery' (Isaac Ezban's time travel film).
- Major studios like Searchlight and Focus Features are attending for the first time.
FAQ
What is Frontières?
Frontières is the co-production market and platform for genre films, organized by the Fantasia International Film Festival, connecting filmmakers with investors and co-producers.
When and where does Frontières 2026 take place?
Frontières 2026 runs during the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada, with additional showcases at festivals like Berlin, TIFF, and Tokyo's Tiffcom.
What are some standout projects at Frontières 2026?
Standouts include 'Cher' (Thai folk horror noir), 'Cold Feet' (romantic zombie comedy), 'My Missing Half' (half-body Filipino vampire), and 'Delivery' (time travel sci-fi from Isaac Ezban).
How many submissions did Frontières 2026 receive?
Frontières 2026 received a record 136 submissions for the Market and 58 for the Shorts to Features strand.