‘The Fantasia International Film Festival is continuing its cherished tradition of featuring emotionally and visually terrifying genre movies that will surely make viewers scream in horror – and delight – with its current slate. This summer’s 29th annual edition of the Montreal-based festival, which will run July 16 through August 3, is sure to leave audiences shrieking in both fear and excitement over its line-up.

Many screenings of the films included in the festival will take place at several theaters across Montreal. Fantasia will return to the Concordia Hall and J.A. de Sève cinemas, and additional screenings and events will be at Cinéma du Musée.

The Canadian festival’s full movie lineup will be revealed early next month. But Fantasia has already announced its first two waves of films that will screen at is upcoming edition.

Audiences are sure to love several features that are screening throughout the festival, including the horror thriller, ‘Hellcat.’ The movie is set to have its World Premiere at the festival.

Brock Bodell served as the writer, director and editor on the drama. The film stars Dakota Gorman, Todd Terry, Liz Atwater, Jordan Mullins and James Austin.

‘Hellcat’ follows Lena (Gorman) as she wakes up in a moving camper trailer with a horrifying wound. She’s warned by the driver that they have one hour to get to a doctor, or she’ll succumb to an unimaginably awful fate. As the pain sets in and reality begins to fray, who should really be afraid?

Another eagerly awaited movie that’s playing during this year’s Fantasia is another horror comedy, ‘Hold the Fort.’ The film will have its World Premiere at the festival.

William Bagley penned and helmed the movie, whose story was created by Scott Hawkins. The horror comedy stars Chris Mayers, Haley Leary and Julian Smith.

‘Hold the Fort’ follows Lucas and Jenny (Mayers and Leary), who think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell.

Fantasia audiences will also surely be frightened by another horror film, ‘Foreigner.’ The teen-driven drama, which focuses on the immigrant experience, will have its World Premiere at the festival in the Septentrion Shadows Section.

‘Foreigner’ marks the feature film writing and directorial debuts of Ava Maria Safai. She expertly harnessed the power of identity, social acceptance, horror and comedy into the project.

Set in 2004, ‘Foreigner’ follows Iranian immigrant Yasamin, or Yasi (Rose Dehgan), as she becomes the new girl in school. Her high school experience is daunting, as she tries to improve her English by watching her favorite sitcom. She also befriends a trio of pastel-clad girls who feed Yasi’s need to fit in. Desperate for acceptance, she dyes her hair blonde and, in doing so, also attracts a demonic force.

Another anticipated movie that’s set to play during this year’s Fantasia is ‘Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist Life.’ The film will have its North American Premiere at the festival.

The feature serves as the live-action film adaptation of the autobiographical Japanese manga series of the same name by renowned author Akiko Higashimura. The movie was directed by Kazuaki Seki. The filmmaker made a poignant film that not only embraces the value of pop culture, but also respects the heritage of fine arts and tradition. The drama stars Mei Nagano and Yo Oizumi.

‘Blank Canvas’ follows a young woman who dreams of becoming a manga artist as she begins her time as a student at an art school. During her time at the school, her mentor uses harsh methods to push his students into classical painting. Fearful about her tenacious teacher’s reaction toward her secret passion, she sets out to learn how to keep her ground and find her place.

Fantasia audiences will also surely be scared by the thriller, ‘Find Your Friends,’ which turns a desert party into a game of survival. The movie will have its World Premiere at the festival.

For her first feature, writer-director Izabel Pakzad puts a sinister spin on party culture and the constant threat of violence facing young women. The filmmaker also presents surprising scenarios exploring how fragile the divide between the sexes really still is in modern society.

The movie stars Helena Howard (‘Madeline’s Madeline,’ ‘I Saw the TV Glow’), Bella Thorne (‘Divinity’), Zión Moreno (‘Gossip Girl’), Chloe Cherry (‘Euphoria’) and Sophia Ali (‘Uncharted’). The drama was produced by Allison Friedman, Gary Michael Walters, Andrea Iervolino, Luca Matrundola. The thriller was executive produced by Chris Hanley and Eric Kohn.

Set against cinematic desert scenery, ‘Find Your Friends’ shows that what starts as a wild girls trip quickly turns dangerous when the locals don’t want them there. As the hostile environment escalates, Amber’s (Howard) friends uncover her past trauma and become fed up with toxic dynamics. Little do they know, their fun trip will transform into one of revenge.

For more information on The Fantasia International Film Festival, visit the events official website.