Festival organizers frame this as a sophisticated cultural exchange, highlighting the artistic merit of psychological horror and the festival's commitment to showcasing diverse, boundary-pushing filmmakers from 40 countries.
Insiders are buzzing about the sheer volume of submissions—182 entries from 40 countries—suggesting Tokyo is becoming a serious rival to established genre fests. The choice to open with a short film rather than a star-studded feature is a bold, auteur-driven move that signals Yami isn't just about red carpets; it's about the craft of fear.
The Yami International Film Festival runs Nov. 20–26 at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya. 'Night Feeds,' directed by Rana Roy, was produced at the American Film Institute. The open call received 182 entries from 40 countries, with 6 features and 8 shorts selected for competition.
Tokyo just became the epicenter for serious horror. If May Calamawy is opening the doors, you’d better be ready to step into the dark.
The horror world is shifting its gaze to Tokyo, where May Calamawy is set to front the opening night of the inaugural Yami International Film Festival. The 'Moon Knight' star headlines 'Night Feeds,' a psychological horror short directed by Rana Roy that explores the terrifying intersection of maternal isolation and global anxiety. This isn't just a celebrity cameo; it’s a statement piece for a new festival that aims to redefine genre cinema in Asia.
Calamawy, who also has a role in Lee Cronin’s 'The Mummy,' stars in a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and nightmare. 'Night Feeds' follows a new mother whose internal dread becomes entangled with the chaos of the world outside, creating a suffocating atmosphere that the festival organizers believe perfectly sets the tone for what horror can be. The film was crafted at the prestigious American Film Institute, lending it an academic rigor that complements its visceral scares.
While Calamawy opens the festivities, the closing night will feature 'Breeder,' a horror thriller from Alex Goyette that mixes dark comedy with scares. The film stars Dot-Marie Jones, known for her Emmy-nominated role in 'Glee,' as Patti, a character pushed to the brink of madness. The festival, running from November 20 to 26 at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya, is organized by Yami Inc., a Japanese company already known for its genre-themed attractions.
They’re not playing small: an open call from late May through August attracted 182 entries from 40 countries and territories. The jury panel is stacked with talent, including directors Roy and Goyette, who will both travel to Tokyo to judge the competition, alongside Japanese actress Sukezane Kiki, whose credits include 'Westworld' and 'Lost in Space.' The lineup features two Asian premieres in the feature competition: 'Buffet Libre' from Spain and 'Nervous,' a South Korea-U.K. co-production.
Festival director Wada Arihiro emphasized that Yami seeks films that 'unsettle the senses' and 'reveal new forms of fear,' promising an experience that goes beyond traditional genre boundaries. This debut is a calculated risk for Tokyo’s film scene, choosing to open with a short and close with a feature to signal that format doesn’t dictate quality. With six features and eight shorts in competition, Yami is positioning itself as a curator of the cutting edge. For fans of psychological dread and international cinema, Shibuya is about to become the most important address in horror.
