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BeyondFest 2025 Unveils Guillermo del Toro Retrospective and Premieres

Jennylyn Bartolome
Guillermo del Toro retrospective celebrates his cinematic masterpieces at Beyond Fest 2025, featuring restored classics and special screenings.

BeyondFest, the celebrated Los Angeles genre film festival, is set to take place from September 23 to October 8, 2025, featuring a comprehensive Guillermo del Toro retrospective. The festival will be hosted at notable venues including the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, and Los Feliz 3, showcasing a diverse slate of premieres and special screenings that highlight innovative genre filmmaking.

This year’s festival boasts eight world premieres, five North American premieres, and multiple regional debuts, alongside a special event featuring Al Pacino for a Q&A following a screening of the 1990 film Dick Tracy. The collaboration between the American Cinematheque and NEON ensures BeyondFest 2025 will present a distinctive celebration of cinematic artistry.

A Showcase of Bold Premieres and Restored Classics

BeyondFest 2025 features a vast selection of new films and revival screenings, presenting an array of genres from arthouse to grindhouse. Highlights include Park Chan-wook’s U.S. premiere of No Other Choice opening the festival and Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia closing it. Several other noted filmmakers are represented, including Aziz Ansari with Good Fortune, Bryan Fuller’s Dust Bunny, Scott Derrickson’s Black Phone 2, and Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt.

International works feature prominently as well, such as Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, Oliver Laxe’s Sirat, and Kenji Tanigaki’s The Furious. BeyondFest promises to deliver a wide-reaching experience highlighting both fearless new works and carefully restored classics.

Guillermo del Toro
Image of: Guillermo del Toro

This year, we’re celebrating the full spectrum of genre filmmaking that intentionally ranges from the arthouse to the grindhouse,

said Evrim Ersoy, Beyond Fest Head of Programming.

Our goal has always been to connect film communities with the greatest variety of filmmakers, and the vast diversity of this year’s slate, featuring an unprecedented array of premieres and restorations, is a steadfast commitment to this mission and the power of genre cinema.

Guillermo del Toro Retrospective and Special Events Among Highlights

A central attraction in this year’s lineup is the comprehensive Guillermo del Toro retrospective, featuring some of his most influential genre films. Alongside this, the festival will spotlight Japanese actress Meiko Kaji during her first-ever U.S. appearance, including a career retrospective and a conversation with filmmaker Sean Baker.

Key retrospective screenings include the world premiere 4K restoration of Jacob’s Ladder, a 70mm presentation of John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China, and Al Pacino attending the special 35th anniversary screening of Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy. Audience members will experience iconic titles that have shaped genre cinema in diverse ways.

We’re incredibly proud to push Beyond Fest’s scope, encompassing some of the world’s best filmmakers; it’s a celebration of cinema without borders or compromise that embodies both the festival and the American Cinematheque,

said Chris LeMaire, American Cinematheque Senior Film Programmer.

Bringing together the work of auteurs such as Jafar Panahi, Bi Gan, Radu Jude, Yorgos Lanthimos, Oliver Laxe, and Kleber Mendonça Filho, we’ve captured some of the most exciting and visionary cinema the world has to offer.

Festival Venues and Ticket Information

The festival activities will be held across the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, and Los Feliz 3. Tickets for BeyondFest 2025 go on sale starting Thursday, September 11th, at 10:00 a.m. PST via americancinematheque.com. Further details are available at beyondfest.com and americancinematheque.com.

Highlighted Films at the Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian Theatre will host a variety of premieres and special screenings including:

  1. Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt – West Coast premiere directed by Tom J. Stern (USA, 106 mins, 2025).
  2. Primate – West Coast premiere by Johannes Roberts (USA, 89 mins, Paramount Pictures, 2025).
  3. Good Boy – West Coast premiere directed by Ben Leonberg, with guests Ben Leonberg, Shane Jensen, and canine actor Indy (USA, 102 mins, Shudder, 2024).
  4. Sisu: Road to Revenge – West Coast premiere by Jalmari Helander, a Finland/USA co-production (88 mins, Screen Gems & Stage 6 Films, 2025).
  5. Exit 8 – U.S. premiere directed by Genki Kawamura (Japan, 95 mins, NEON, 2025).
  6. The Furious – U.S. premiere by Kenji Tanigaki (Hong Kong/China, 113 mins, 2025), with the director in attendance.
  7. Fuck My Son! – West Coast premiere directed by Todd Rohal, with guests Todd Rohal and Johnny Ryan (USA, 94 mins, 2025).
  8. To Live and Die in LA – Special screening directed by William Friedkin, with guest William Petersen (USA, 123 mins, Park Circus, 1985).
  9. Big Trouble in Little China – 70mm special screening by John Carpenter, featuring Carpenter and Dean Cundey (USA, 99 mins, 20th Century Fox, 1986).
  10. Manhunter – Special screening by Michael Mann with guest William Petersen (USA, 120 mins, Rialto Pictures, 1986).
  11. The Player – Special screening directed by Robert Altman, with Tim Robbins appearing (USA, 124 mins, Janus Films, 1992).
  12. Jacob’s Ladder – World premiere 4K restoration directed by Adrian Lyne, with guest Tim Robbins (USA, 113 mins, Rialto Pictures, 1990).
  13. Nirvanna the Band, The Show, The Movie – West Coast premiere by Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol (Canada, 100 mins, NEON, 2025).
  14. The Ring – Special screening from Gore Verbinski, with the director attending (USA, 115 mins, Paramount Pictures, 2002).
  15. Shelby Oaks – West Coast premiere directed by Chris Stuckmann, attending as guest (USA, 99 mins, NEON, 2024).
  16. Dream Eater – L.A. premiere by Jay Drakulic, Mallory Drumm, and Alex Lee Williams, with guests including Eli Roth (USA, 86 mins, The Horror Section, 2025).
  17. Dust Bunny – U.S. premiere directed by Bryan Fuller (USA, 106 mins, Lionsgate, 2025).
  18. Mag Mag – World premiere from Yuriyan Retriever, starring Sara Minami and produced by Daisuke Takahashi (Japan, 118 mins, 2025).
  19. Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die – Special screening by Gore Verbinski (USA/Germany, 100 mins, Briarcliff Entertainment, 2026).
  20. Lady Snowblood Series – A series of special screenings including Lady Snowblood (1973), Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance (1974), and Blind Woman’s Curse (1970), all featuring Meiko Kaji in attendance.

NEON Theatre Features and Special Screenings at Los Feliz 3

The NEON Theatre at Los Feliz 3 will present key premieres and events such as:

  1. Killing Faith – World premiere directed by Ned Crowley, with guests DeWanda Wise, Bill Pullman, and Neil Crowley (USA, 104 mins, Shout! Studios, 2025).
  2. Ms. 45 – International premiere 4K restoration by Abel Ferrara (USA, 80 mins, Arrow Films, 1981).
  3. In a Cold Vein – International premiere by Eric Owen, attending as guest (USA, 90 mins, 2025).
  4. Hellcat – U.S. premiere directed by Brock Bodell, with multiple guests including Dakota Gorman and Todd Terry (USA, 91 mins, 2025).
  5. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb – Special screening of Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 classic (UK/USA, 95 mins, Sony Repertory).
  6. Bulk – West Coast premiere from Ben Wheatley (UK, 95 mins, 2025).
  7. Ice Tower – West Coast premiere directed by Lucile Hadžihalilović (France, 118 mins, Yellow Veil Pictures, 2025).
  8. Bury Your Dead – West Coast premiere from Marco Dutra (Brazil, 128 mins, Dark Star Pictures, 2024).
  9. The Python Hunt – West Coast premiere co-presented with Killer Films, directed by Xander Robin (USA, 91 mins, Oscilloscope Films, 2025).
  10. I Live Here Now – U.S. premiere by Julie Pacino, who will attend (USA, 92 mins, Utopia Distribution, 2024).
  11. The Serpent’s Skin – L.A. premiere directed by Alice Maio Mackay, with guests including Alice Maio Mackay and Vera Drew (Australia, 83 mins, Dark Star Pictures, 2025).
  12. The Kirlian Frequency – World premiere by Cristian Ponce (Argentina, 45 mins, 2025).
  13. New Group – U.S. premiere directed by Yuta Shimotsu (Japan, 82 mins, Shudder, 2025).
  14. Hold the Fort – U.S. premiere by William Bagley, attending as guest (USA, 78 mins, 2025).
  15. Wild Style – West Coast premiere 4K restoration by Charlie Ahearn (USA, 82 mins, 2025).
  16. Every Heavy Thing – U.S. premiere directed by Mickey Reece, with Peter Kuplowsky attending (USA, 89 mins, Firebook Entertainment, 2025).
  17. Man Finds Tape – West Coast premiere by Paul Gandersman and Peter S. Hall (USA, 84 mins, Magnet Releasing, 2025).
  18. Reflection in a Dead Diamond – West Coast premiere from Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani (Belgium/Luxembourg/Italy/France, 87 mins, Shudder, 2025).
  19. Silent Death – Terror Vision Lost & Found – World premiere 4K restoration directed by Vaughn Christion (USA, 71 mins, Terror Vision Records & Video, 1981).
  20. Sunday Print Edition – Frankenstein – Presented by CODA – Special screening of James Whale’s 1931 classic (USA, 71 mins, Universal Pictures).
  21. Angel’s Egg – West Coast premiere 4K restoration by Mamoru Oshii (Japan, 71 mins, GKIDS, 1985).
  22. 100 Meters – U.S. premiere by Kenji Iwaisawa, who will attend (Japan, 102 mins, GKIDS, 2025).
  23. Lone Samurai – World premiere by Josh C. Waller (Indonesia/Portugal/USA, 95 mins, Well Go USA Entertainment, 2025).

Comprehensive Guillermo del Toro Retrospective Highlights

The festival’s centerpiece is the tribute to Guillermo del Toro, celebrating his influential body of work. The retrospective includes restored showings and special screenings of many of his key films with del Toro himself attending several sessions. Featured titles include:

  1. Crimson Peak – World premiere 4K restoration (USA, 119 mins, Universal Pictures, 2015).
  2. Nightmare Alley – Vision in Darkness and Light – Special screening (USA/Mexico/Canada, 159 mins, Searchlight Pictures, 2021).
  3. The Shape of Water – World premiere 4K restoration (USA, 123 mins, Searchlight Pictures, 2017).
  4. Hellboy – Special screening (USA, 122 mins, Park Circus, 2004).
  5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army – Special screening (USA, 120 mins, Universal Pictures, 2008).
  6. Blade II – Special screening (USA, 117 mins, Warner Bros, 2002).
  7. Cronos – World premiere 4K restoration (Mexico, 92 mins, Janus Films, 1993).
  8. The Devil’s Backbone – Special screening (Spain/Mexico, 106 mins, Sony Pictures Classics, 2001).
  9. Mimic – Director’s Cut – Special screening (USA, 105 mins, Paramount Pictures, 1997).
  10. Pan’s Labyrinth – Special screening (Spain/Mexico, 120 mins, Warner Bros., 2006).

Diverse Festival Program Emphasizes Genre Innovation

BeyondFest 2025 aims to unify film communities through an eclectic and daring program. The inclusion of restored classics alongside cutting-edge premieres enables attendees to explore the evolution and diversity of genre cinema. The presence of esteemed filmmakers and actors, such as Jafar Panahi, Oliver Laxe, and Meiko Kaji, further enhances the festival’s cultural and cinematic significance.

The festival continues to push boundaries, spotlighting works across international borders and varied cinematic styles, from supernatural horror and psychological thrillers to arthouse dramas. This approach enriches Los Angeles’ film landscape and reaffirms BeyondFest as a crucial platform for genre appreciation and discovery.

Jennylyn Bartolome
Jennylyn Bartolome