Toronto After Dark, in its third year, continues to impress. Driven by Adam Lopez and a crew of very dedicated, very talented people this festival has volleyed itself from a wee thing into an internationally recognized – and respected – festival that draws people from everywhere. With four sold out nights over its eight nights it certainly took things to the next level this year. The selections were better, the crowds were bigger and the growing pains were harsher. Without question this is still your best value for the movies you see, the quantity you get, the filmmakers who attend and the atmosphere that surrounds it. Even as the madding crowds set in, with stressed out staff everywhere, you could feel that everyone just wanted to have a good time and, as a result, maintained decorum in the face of tripling crowds.
I must say that the thing that impressed me the most this year were, in fact, the movies (as it should be). This festival brought me the opportunity to see movies that I’d only seen web trailers for, many of which will never get even a limited release, let alone wide. The director of Donkey Punch, Oliver Blackburn, indicated that when he was at the pub and mentioned that his movie had been selected for TAD his friends had nothing but glowing things to say about the festival and, as a result, he flew himself here in order to intro it and meet the crowd himself. What an incredible achievement for this festival. Congratulations to all the staff and executive of this festival for putting together such a solid showing again. I absolutely can’t wait for next year.
My Toronto After Dark
Favorite Movie: Red
Runner Up: Tie between Who is KK Downey? and Mutant Chronicles
Favorite Canadian Short: The Goblin Man of Norway
Runner Up: Tie between Treevenge (obvious, I know, but it really was fantastic) and Deadspeil
Favorite International Short: Attack of the Robots of Nebula-5
Runner Up: Kingz
Favorite Double Bill: Netherbeast Incorporated and Who is KK Downey?
Best Zombie Movie: Trailer Park of Terror
Best Vampire Movie: Let the Right One In
Best Cult Movie: Repo! The Genetic Opera (closely followed by Who is KK Downey?)
