The Ithaca Fantastik festival is a ten-day film, art, and music festival that takes place over the first weekend of November in Ithaca, NY. Our mission is to bring the best of fantastic culture to upstate NY by presenting a selection of the most anticipated international films, community organized concerts and diverse art exhibitions. Beginning as a three day film festival in 2012, the cinema component of Ithaca Fantastik is built around four primary axes of programming: (i) An international competition of vanguard and international films (ii) A retrospective of classic films, selected around an annually changing theme (iii). Several off-competition series including a documentary showcase, midnight features and additional mini series with unique focus; and (iiii) A Cinema concert performed with an original live score commissioned specifically for the festival.

Fantastic film is a term used in the European film festival circuit, and derived from Todorov’s description of the Fantastic in literature- Embracing the general concept of the Uncanny, where supernatural phenomenon can often have a rational explanation, and can then be viewed as real. The Fantastic genre includes films with elements of sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, horror, or the absurd. Ithaca Fantastik seeks to bring a distinctively curated selection of films for our audience to appreciate while actively seeking to expand their horizons. Because of this, our selections are often composed of a variety of films ranging from foreign or experimental to comedies and black & white, as well as everything and anything in between.

Operating simultaneously and in conjunction with Ithaca Fantastik is our three nights of concerts, presented by Ithaca Underground, as well as our Fantastic Art Exhibition curated by internationally renowned local artist Steve Ellis. We thrive to form interrelations between the three fractions, so that audiences may travel between our events and interact with the festival through very different yet complimentary experiences. The Ithaca Fantastik festival is seeking to establish a creative environment where artists and audiences can come together from all backgrounds and abilities to cultivate a long-term cultural hub in the upstate NY college town that will continue to grow and inspire.

Shinning Corvus for best film, best screenplay and best director awarded by a jury of professionals and academics.
Shinning Corvus for best feature and short film awarded by the audience.

Please read carefully the following terms and conditions. “They” refer to your entry materials to the Ithaca International Fantastic Film Festival. You must accept these terms and conditions before your entry can be considered. I/We attest that I/we have read and understand and complied with the Rules of Entry of the Festival, that I/we am/are the sole owner(s) of legal right and title thereto have absolute authority to submit the Material to the Festival. I/we understand that by submitting said Material, I/we authorize the Festival to exhibit the Material during the 2016 Festival dates, if the Material is selected for exhibition by the Festival. I/we will indemnify and hold harmless the Festival, its organizers, judges, sponsors, and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses including legal expenses arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims based on Material submitted to the Festival. I/we understand that the Festival is not responsible for any type of damage to or loss of the Material while it is in the Festival’s possession, or while en route to or from the Festival, and I/we release the Festival, its organizers, judges, sponsors, and partners, individually and collectively, from any and all liabilities regarding damage to or loss of the Material while en route to or from the Festival or while in its possession. Festival finalists & winners will permit the Festival to use their name, contact information and/or likeness & publicity stills, film or video footage, title, and logline of Material, in pre & post-competition publicity & promotional efforts. The Festival may, at its own discretion, transfer the submitted Material to a compilation DVD for Festival screening and the resulting DVD may be used for Festival promotional purposes. However, said compilations are not sold or distributed by the Festival. Should Material win one or more awards “Award(s)” at the Festival, I/we am/are authorized and/or empowered by all parties legally representing Material to name the individual(s) listed on the Award Designation List to receive any and all Award(s). If Material is eligible for Award(s) and no one was designated to accept it/them, the Award will be deemed forfeit and another award winner will be chosen.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Wonderful festival with great films so happy Lunch Ladies was part of it!

    November 2018
  • Marica Petrey

    Everyone was really friendly and the selection was fantastik! We were in the International Shorts category and it was great to get to see so many other great films. The team was also super nice and hospitable.

    January 2018
  • I was unfortunately unable to attend but the communication was wonderful and they were eager to offer answers to everything in a timely manner. I feel as a newer festival, this one seemed to have a quality lineup and has a ton of potential for growth in the near future. So honored to be part of the mix. Can’t thank them enough.

    November 2017