In full force for the first time since the pandemic, our return to the Toronto International Film Festival didn’t disappoint. There’s always a feeling of attempting to capture everything — every movie being discussed, the “big” picks, the smaller world cinema submissions that don’t garner as much spotlight and also explore the lush and vibrant city of Toronto. This year was no different. It was helpful to have two other companions along the way from Cinematary so we three could experience the festival. Here are our reviews of films viewed between myself, Andrew Swafford and Reid Ramsey at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. — Zach Dennis

Festival Coverage by Andrew Swafford and Jessica Carr

Well, it was certainly a weird year to have a Horror Festival considering it feels like 2020 itself has been a living nightmare. I really do appreciate all the hard work that the Knoxville Horror Fest team put into making this year’s festival feel safe. They hosted all of the evening features at the Parkway Drive-in in Maryville and created two different tracks for daytime festival goers knowing that theater space was going to be at a limited capacity. Also, all theater attendees were required to wear masks at all times, which was really comforting to me.

Festival Coverage by Logan Kenny and Joseph Bullock

For twelve days in October, the BFI London Film Festival screened over 50 feature films from around the world. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic – and the United States’s response – all of the films featured here were viewed on their virtual platform rather than in person. Cinematary writers Logan Kenny and Joseph Bullock were both able to “attend” the festival and here present writing on 10 features from 8 different countries.

Festival Coverage by Zach Dennis and Reid Ramsey

For four days in May, the 7th annual Chattanooga Film Festival screened more than 25 feature films (and dozens of shorts) spanning indie horror, documentaries, and cult classics from around the world alongside Q&A sessions with Ice-T and Joe Dante as well as workshops and live podcast recordings. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival shifted from its April date to a May weekend that was hosted completely virtually courtesy of Microsoft. Zach and Reid were able to catch up with around six features and the Tennessee Shorts block while watching the festival online and from home.

Festival Coverage by Andrew Swafford and Dylan Moore

For ten days in October, the Nashville Film Festival screened over 100 feature films from around the world. Established in 1969 and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it is the longest running film festival in the state. Andrew and Dylan were able to catch six features and ten short films across several days of the festival.

Festival Coverage by Lydia Creech and Miranda Barnewall

For three days in May, the 5th annual Nitrate Picture Show, the world’s first festival of film conservation, screened 9 shorts and 9 features at the Dryden Theater at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY, all from nitrate film prints. Nitrate film was the first kind of stock used for motion pictures, beginning in 1889 and going until 1951, when safety stock on an acetate base was introduced. Lydia and Miranda were able to catch all of the screenings, in addition to attending lectures and tours of the Eastman’s preservation facilities.

Festival Coverage by Zach Dennis and Reid Ramsey

For four days in April, the 6th annual Chattanooga Film Festival screened 39 feature films (and dozens of shorts) spanning indie horror, documentaries, and cult classics from around the world. Nestled on the Tennessee River, and sporting appearances by Crispin Glover and Joe Bob Briggs, Zach and Reid were able to catch 10 of the features during their time at the fest.

Festival Coverage by Andrew Swafford and Jordan Collier

For four days in October, the 10th annual Knoxville Horror Film Fest screened 14 feature films (and dozens of shorts) spanning indie horror, documentaries, and cult classics from around the world. Coming on the heels of the programmers opening their own independent theater in Knoxville (Central Cinema), this was the biggest year ever for the Knoxville Horror Film Fest. Andrew and Jordan were able to catch 12 of the features during their time at the fest, including KHFF’s first-ever world premiere.