Fantasia Fest 2026 and New Trailers | Newsletter
Talking about things that are happening in the write life, right now.
Dear Moviegoers,
I know what y'all are thinking, having just opened this message in your inbox and/or browser:
"It's been a month - what's Bill got to say about that?"
Indeed, I took a dry-spell-ish break for reasons I'd like to address in an upcoming post, just in time for Disability Pride Month. Take that teaser to mean whatever you'd like, but know that I haven't stopped watching movies, taking notes, or even wondering why Star Wars isn't so exciting anymore - among other thoughts.
Here's what I'm going to answer in this edition:
What am I planning on catching at this year's Fantasia Fest?
Which movie trailers have caught my eye as of late?
Read along, leave a comment, shoot me an email, and enjoy!
Follow along with these friends of Moviegoing with Bill for alternative film commentary and other cultural musings.
Fantasia Fest 2026: My Planned Coverage of the 30th Anniversary
I've been very fortunate in that, for past incarnations, the good folks at Fantasia Fest have let me view and review sets of feature and short selections from their always incredible catalogue of international, classic, and obscure flicks. And, thankfully, for their 30th go-around, the incredible times are repeating.
Indeed, I've been taking it slow and steady with what I'm picking for coverage, but I do have some locked-in choices:
Our Effed Up World
Godhead - from the director of Hippo. I'm REALLY looking forward to this!
You Are the Film - the writer of Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes helms this gaze into moviegoing time-shifting romance.
The Last Footage
Colony
Feel free to peruse their program and hit me up with some picks of your own.
The event is now happening and runs through August 2nd.
Enjoying this dive of independent film criticism? Consider upgrading or nabbing a membership today!
Counting the Previews
The following embedded videos are movie trailers that have, for one reason or another, caught my attention. Hit play and find out why I'm excited for these soon-to-be-released films:
This is the latest from micro-budget NYC auteur and friend to all moviegoers, Sujewa Ekanayake, and is the follow-up to The Secret Society for Slow Romance and Cosmic Disco Detective Rene. Like most independent productions, his films have a style or, even, a memorable routine to them. A stamp, so to speak. The movies tend to focus on a handful of people who, in the midst of what they say are fantastical scenarios, spend their time pondering ideas and questioning things, which, strongly, is what separates us all from animals.
His cinematography of New York is gorgeous, and any perceived "flaws" in editing only make his projects all the more charming.
53 Spaceships: The Code Breakers debuts on July 23rd.
Years ago, I was blown away by Broken Down. Now, finally, Jessy Williamson's next feature, Donut Holes, is ready to premiere.
People maturing. Evolving. Caught in the stages of grief and struggling to move on. The problems of everyday life. The problems we all face.
I can't wait.
Donut Holes will hold a VIP screening event on August 21st.
Why isn't there a movie based on the music of Lit?
I'll settle for Green Day.
Coming soon.
Coming shortly: Reviews of Our Hero, Balthazar, The Odyssey, and lots more.
Stay inboxed, as always.
