Get out the fake blood and shades. Time to jump into parallel worlds where things just aren’t quite the same. Which is another way of saying you should take in some screenings at the /slash film festival…
- A banquet for fans of genre films, from science fiction to the surreal
- Most films shown in the original English
- This festival is about the fun as much as the art
- 2021 dates: TBA (normally late September)
- See also: Film festivals in Vienna | Comic Con Vienna
A festival of fantastic films
We’re not talking fantastic as in amazing (though that may be true, too).
When the /slash festival says it’s all about fantastic films, it’s the other meaning of the word. So movies that take you out of our reality and into stranger, more magical worlds…horror, fantasy, science fiction, surrealism…often films that don’t always get much time in conventional cinema showings.
So a pick and mix from the (sometimes darker) imaginations of the cinematic world. A mix that might throw out a My Own Private Idaho, but also a Meatball Machine Kodoku. A Raiders of the Lost Ark or an Attack of the Lederhosen Zombies.
Dozens of films typically get showings. Most of them are in English, sometimes with English subtitles added. Look for the full programme on the /slash website.
And like any self-respecting film festival, /slash has a surrounding programme of events, with a touch more joy and flair than many of its cousins. So, for example (in normal virus-free years), there are star guests (Nicholas Cage attended in 2018), and opening and closing parties.
Incidentally, the same folk also usually host a mini-festival (/slash ½) in spring and make occasional guest appearances with selected films at other events. So keep your eye open for the /slash logo.
2021 dates and tickets
2021 is the festival’s twelfth year. I don’t have dates yet, but expect it all to take place in the latter half of September.
The main festival venues for the last event were the Gartenbaukino, METRO Kinokulturhaus, Schikaneder, and Filmcasino cinemas. You can normally buy ticket packages online from the /Slash website or individual tickets from the cinema box offices (once available).
How to get to the festival
Assuming the same cinemas participate in 2021, here the directions:
Filmcasino
Like the /slash festival films, the Filmcasino is a little off the beaten track, though still quite central.
Tram/bus: take the 13A or 59A buses to the Ziegelofengasse stop more or less outside the cinema. The 13A crosses a big chunk of Vienna, so you can pick it up from the Mariahilfer Straße shopping boulevard, for example. Its a bit of a walk (10 minutes?) from the nearest tram stop: Mayerhofgasse on the 1 and 62 lines.
Subway: it’s a 13 minute walk from the nearest subway station: Taubstummengasse on the U1 line.
Address: Filmcasino, Margaretenstraße 78, 1050 Vienna | Website
METRO Kinokulturhaus
The METRO Kinokulturhaus is in the very centre of the historic old town, so you may be nearby if sightseeing.
Subway: take the U1 or U3 line to Stephansplatz or the U1/U2/U4 lines to Karlsplatz. Both stations are about a 5 minute walk away.
Tram: numerous trams stop at Oper/Karlsplatz, particularly the 1, 2, D and 71 lines that skirt parts of the edge of the old town.
Address: Johannesgasse 4, 1010 Vienna | Website
Gartenbaukino
The Gartenbaukino sits opposite the Stadtpark park on the Ring boulevard that encircles the old town.
Subway: take the U3 to Stubentor or the U4 to Stadtpark and then it’s a short walk.
Tram: the Weihburggasse tram stop is pretty much outside the cinema (served by tram line 2). You can also walk up from Schwarzenbergplatz (lines 2, 71 and D).
Address: Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna | Website
schikaneder
Coincidentally, very close to the Anglo-American grocery store, Bobby’s.
Subway: walk up from Karlsplatz (on the U1, U2 and U4 lines).
Tram: take the 1, 62 or Badnerbahn to Paulanergasse
Address: Margaretenstraße 24, 1040 Vienna | Website