Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Al Pacino headlining an Unforgettable Beyond Fest Experience!

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are set for a nostalgic “Speed” reunion, while Al Pacino will pay homage to “Scarface” at the much-awaited Beyond Fest slated to return to Los Angeles later this month. With 82 stellar films on its roster, the festival is set to be a grand affair.

The festival, which runs from September 25th through October 9th, is back with its 12th edition, boasting its most comprehensive and diverse collection of films yet. The lineup spans across genres including horror, science fiction, fantasy, and action.

The festival will kick off with the worldwide premiere of “Salem’s Lot,” an eagerly awaited new adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 vampire novel, brought to life by director Gary Dauberman. The closing night will pay tribute to the renowned Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who will unveil his latest film “Cloud” and participate in a retrospective of his impressive work. Kurosawa is known for his unique blend of psychological horror and existential themes in well-acclaimed films such as “Cure,” “Pulse,” and “Tokyo Sonata.”

Between the opening and closing nights, the festival will showcase the West Coast premieres of Marielle Heller’s “Nightbitch,” featuring Amy Adams as a housewife who suspects she’s turning into a dog, and Steven Soderbergh’s “Presence,” which was hailed as a “slick and skillfully agile ghost story” by The Times at its Sundance premiere earlier this year. The controversial Trump biopic “The Apprentice” by Ali Abbasi, which stirred up a buzz at the Telluride Film Festival earlier this month, will also be screened before its nationwide release on October 11.

Unlike other fall festivals that typically spotlight Oscar hopefuls, Beyond Fest has emerged as a potent platform for new genre films to connect with ardent fans. In 2022, the festival backed Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, propelling a successful Oscar campaign for his action-packed epic “RRR.” This year’s festival will feature “Devara: Part 1,” starring “RRR” lead N.T. Rama Rao Jr. The previous edition saw big names like James Cameron, Guillermo del Toro, and Michael Mann in attendance.

The much-anticipated “Speed” reunion will see Reeves, Bullock, and director Jan de Bont come together to mark the 30th anniversary of the explosive action blockbuster. Pacino will also participate in a career retrospective focused on his unforgettable portrayal of Tony Montana in 1983’s “Scarface.” His appearance coincides with the release of his memoir “Sonny Boy” next month. Horror and superhero film icon Sam Raimi, known for his work on “Evil Dead” and “Spider-Man,” will present a triple feature of “Darkman,” “The Quick and the Dead,” and “Drag Me to Hell.”

The festival will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 horror masterpiece “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” with 12 members of the original cast and crew present. Other throwbacks include a 30th-anniversary matinee of Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood,” presented by screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, and a career tribute to “Twin Peaks” star Kyle MacLachlan, who will introduce screenings of his standout films, including “Blue Velvet,” “Dune,” and “The Hidden.”

Beloved actor Ron Perlman will attend a 20th-anniversary screening of Del Toro’s “Hellboy,” while “Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise stars Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, Lin Shaye, and Ronee Blakley will host a screening of Wes Craven’s original horror hit marking its 40th anniversary. Australian director Jennifer Kent will make a rare U.S. appearance to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her horror film “The Babadook,” while Don Johnson will grace the stage for a career retrospective featuring a double bill of his 1975 post-apocalyptic cult film “A Boy and His Dog” and the 1990 noir thriller “The Hot Spot.”

The screenings will take place at various iconic Los Angeles locations, including the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, Los Feliz 3, and Vista Theatre. All proceeds will benefit the American Cinematheque, a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and showcasing film art.

Tickets will be available for purchase from September 13 on americancinematheque.com. For additional details, visit beyondfest.com.