Since 2017, the Final Girls Film Festival has been taking place in Berlin. Having several events throughout the year, with summer or Halloween specials, the big take of the festival is in February. And this year the festival comes with a line-up of interesting international films, a wide collection of short films, and many events with attractive protagonists. Running February 3 – 6th, 2022, the festival will take place at City Kino Wedding in Berlin and also worldwide on digital during the festival dates.
Final Girls Berlin Film Festival showcases horror cinema that’s directed, written, or produced by women and non-binary filmmakers. In this 7th edition, a set of short films have been programmed grouped by the categories Social Ills, Wrath, Medical Horror, Envy, Queer Horror, Midnight, Gluttony, and Menacing Presences. A total of 54 short films developed by creators all over the world are scheduled.
7 feature films have been selected to be part of the festival.
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair (2021), by Jane Schoenbrun, USA
Having its world premiere at Sundance 2021, the movie centers on teenager Casey, alone in her attic bedroom, who becomes immersed in an online role-playing horror game, wherein she begins to document the changes that may or may not be happening to her.
Here Before (2021), by Stacey Gregg, UK
It had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival 2021. When a new family moves in next door to Laura and her family, their young daughter, Megan, quickly captivates her, stirring up painful memories of her own daughter, Josie, who died several years previously.
Hellbender (2021), by John Adams, Zelda Adams, and Toby Poser, USA
Having its world premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival 2021, where it won the Best Actress (Zelda Adams) and Best Motion Picture Score (John Adams), and it was nominated for Best Film, the movie is an evil trip where a lonely teen discovers her family’s ties to witchcraft. [Read our review]
You Are Not My Mother (2021), by Kate Dolan, Ireland
In a North Dublin housing estate, Char’s mother goes missing. When she returns Char is determined to uncover the truth of her disappearance and unearth the dark secrets of her family. It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2021.
Kissed (1996), by Lynne Stopkewich, Canada
Over the years, a child’s romantic ideals about death blossom into necrophilia, the study of embalming, and the most profound relationship of her life. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1996 and was part of the Cannes Film Festival in 1997.
Knocking (2021), by Frida Kempff, Sweden
A woman leaves a psychiatric ward after a nervous breakdown, only to start hearing mysterious knocking sounds in her apartment. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021.
Good Madam (2021), by Jenna Cato Bass, South Africa
An eerie psychological thriller about Tsidi, who is forced to move in with her estranged mother, a live-in domestic worker caring obsessively for her catatonic white ‘Madam’ in the wealthy Cape Town suburbs. But as Tsidi tries to heal her family, the ‘specter’ of ‘Madam’ begins to stir. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2021.
The festival will also host a series of talks and workshops related to the horror genre and the queer and feminist environment. If you are interested in more information, dates, and events for the festival don’t miss to check out its official site www.finalgirlsberlin.com or follow it on social networks. Here is the official festival trailer.
