Beyond Fest, the biggest genre film festival in the U.S. is back for its 12th edition with a staggering lineup of 82 feature films, 16 world premieres, and 15 days of cinematic celebration. Set to run from September 25th to October 9th, this year’s festival, presented by NEON in collaboration with the American Cinematheque, promises to be the largest yet, welcoming film enthusiasts from around the world to screenings at iconic venues such as the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, Los Feliz 3, and Vista Theatre. Building on its reputation as the ultimate genre film experience, Beyond Fest 2024 kicks off with the world premiere of Salem's Lot, Gary Dauberman's much-anticipated adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel.

As Fantastic Fest 2024 approaches, horror enthusiasts and genre fans alike are eagerly anticipating a lineup packed with chilling thrills, dark humor, and groundbreaking cinema. This year’s festival is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with two highly anticipated titles that are sure to be the talk of the event: Terrifier 3 and Strange Harvest: Occult Murder in the Inland Empire. Set to open the festival on Thursday, September 19th, Terrifier 3 is the latest installment in the terrifying saga of Art the Clown.

The ongoing controversy surrounding the production of Troma Entertainment's The Power of Positive Murder has taken a new turn with conflicting statements from key figures involved. Actress Nadia White's departure from the project due to COVID-19 safety concerns has sparked a heated exchange between her and fellow actress Jessa Flux, shedding light on differing perspectives regarding the situation on set. Nadia White, known for her roles in Troma films like Shakespeare's Shitstorm and Return to Nuke 'Em High Vol. 2, made headlines when she exited the production, citing a lack of concern for "safety to humans" after allegedly refusing to come to the set where she claimed there were more than seven active COVID-19 cases.

Actress Nadia White, widely recognized for her performances in various Troma films, including Shakespeare's Shitstorm and Return to Nuke 'Em High Vol. 2, has reportedly parted ways with Troma Entertainment's upcoming feature The Power of Positive Murder. White's decision to step away stems from concerns over the production's handling of COVID-19 safety protocols on set, highlighting a potential disregard for health and safety that could put cast and crew at risk. According to sources close to the production, White refused to report to the set after learning that there were more than seven active COVID-19 cases among the crew.

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is a cherished institution in Houston and is renowned for its unique movie-going experience that blends gourmet dining, craft beers, and stringent no-disruption policies. However, recent events have cast doubt on its future, following the sudden closure of several locations and a notable bankruptcy case. The journey of Alamo Drafthouse in Houston has been tumultuous.

Acclaimed author and on-again-off-again CineDump contributor, Preston Fassel, reached out to me about visiting a film production that was happening in Houston. Considering my wife and I had nothing to do the weekend of the shoot, we agreed to cover the spectacle and help out the project in any way that we could. I contacted the acclaimed director, Fatima Hye, a Bangladeshi-American Muslim woman who grew up in Texas.