We'll have lots of guests at Fantastic Fest this year, more than ever before. Here are just a few of the many interesting people who'll be joining us this year, in no particular order. We'll continually update our roster so keep an eye on this page.

Filmmakers and Actors

Norihiro Koizumi (Gachi Boy: Wrestling With A Memory)
A young, talented director who is quickly making his mark in the Japanese filmmaking scene. At the tender age of 25, he directed his first major feature-length film, “Midnight Sun.” “Midnight Sun” was not only critically-acclaimed, but became a commercial hit, grossing over 1 billion yen at the Japanese boxoffice. His latest film, “GACHI BOY Wrestling with a Memory,” won the grand prix at the Udine Far East Film Festival.

Nacho Vigalondo (Shorts Program)
Last year at Fantastic Fest noted Spanish director Nacho Vigalondo won the Next Wave competition, later securing domestic distribution for TIMECRIMES and selling remake rights to high-powered Hollywood producers. He also delighted all of North America by showing us all how to party like our pants were on fire. His award-winning and awesome shorts will be showcased this year at Fantastic Fest.


Bill Pullman (Surveillance, Your Name Here)
Born in Hornell, New York, he attended the State University of New York at Delhi and the State University of New York at Oneonta in the 1970s. He eventually received his Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Pullman taught theater at SUNY Delhi and Montana State University (where he was convinced by his students to attempt film). When he was 28, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. His first prominent movie role was in the film Ruthless People (which starred Danny DeVito and Bette Midler). Other notable films included the lead in Spaceballs (1987), The Serpent and the Rainbow (opposite Zakes Mokae), While You Were Sleeping (1995), Independence Day (1996), and Lost Highway (1997). Pullman continues to act in both theatre and in movies, independent and big budget. He is a well-recognized screen icon and respected stage actor.

Reynald Bertrand (La Creme)
Played in a rock group before suddenly giving up music and dedicating himself to films. Starting in 1991, he attended the classes of Jean Douchet at the University of Paris VII and made several short films that he wrote, filmed and edited himself. In 1994, he met Rémy Belvaux, the writer/director of "Man Bites Dog", and for ten years afterwards edited the commercials that Rémy directed. Since then Reynald has edited other features, including "OSS 117" by Michel Hazanavicius and "Babies" by Thomas Balmes and Alain Chabat.

Jon Gries (South Of Heaven)
Jon Gries has been not only starred in but lit up the freaking screen in an absurd number of our favorite movies. Sure, the whole world knows him as Uncle Rico from NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - but he was also Laszlo in REAL GENIUS, The Wolfman in MONSTER SQUAD, King Vidiot in Joysticks and O.D. in TERRORVISION!!! He's also wowed critics and audiences alike with great performances in the Polish Brothers' films TWIN FALLS IDAHO, JACKPOT and NORTHFORK. Even in small character roles he gives the audience memorable moments thay can relish. His performance in SOUTH OF HEAVEN shows the great actor striving for an even greater range and succeeding beautifully.

Amy Smart (Seventh Moon)
One of Hollywood’s brightest talents on both the silver screen and on television. She is currently in production on Crank 2: High Voltage reteaming her with both Jason Statham and directors Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine. Amy recently appeared in the horror film Mirrors opposite Kiefer Sutherland. She will soon be seen in the drama Life in Flight opposite Patrick Wilson.

Kevin Smith (Zack & Miri Make A Porno)
You probably know this guy already. Writer, director, all-around renaissance man. Starting with CLERKS in 1994, he has changed the way we look at comics, low-budget films, dialogue, street hockey and New Jersey. His latest film Zack And Miri Make A Porno should be another large, gaudy feather in his already heavily plumage-burdened chapeau.

Scott Mosier (Zack & Miri Make A Porno)
Producer, bit-part actor, all-around filmmaker, Scott has collaborated with his friend Kevin Smith on all his films, ever since the legendary film-school debacle Mae-Day: The Crumbling Of A Documentary. From Clerks through Zack & Miri Make A Porno he is one of the forces that holds the View Askewniverse together.

JT Petty (The Burrowers)
JT is a writer and director of movies, videogames, books, and