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
- 2024 dates: Sept 19 – 29
- Mini version May 9 – 11
- See also:
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.
Consider it 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, or the original language with English subtitles. Look for the full programme on the SLASH website and relevant abbreviations: OV (in original language), OmU (ditto with subtitles), OmeU (ditto with English subtitles), eOV (in the original English).
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.
You might see star guests (Nicholas Cage attended back in 2018) or join the opening and closing parties, for example.
Incidentally, the same folk also usually host a mini-festival in late spring or early summer (May 9th to 11th in 2024) and make occasional guest appearances with selected films at other events. So keep your eye open for the SLASH logo.
2024 dates & tickets
The 2024 edition will be the festival’s 15th year and runs from September 19th to 29th.
The last event presented around 80 films (including shorts) and had a strong animal theme, including plenty of spiders (which explains my absence).
You can normally buy ticket packages online from the SLASH website or individual tickets from selected cinema box offices (once available).
How to get there
I await confirmation on 2024 venues, but the main festival cinemas are usually:
- The METRO Kinokulturhaus (Johannesgasse 4, 1010 Vienna)
- Filmcasino (Margaretenstraße 78, 1050 Vienna)
- Gartenbaukino (Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna)