Armed with 160 genre gems, Montreal's populist film festival will occupy Concordia University from July 8 to August 1. Founded in 1996 as a strictly Asian-oriented affair, Fantasia has come to incorporate a wildly eclectic array of international "fantasy cinema, classic or current. Acknowledging the sound of standard festival-programmer spiel, Fantasia's Mitch Davis insists, "Dammit, I speak the truth when I say there is something for everyone this year, from Hello Kitty to hardcore porn! Fantasia's first comix event, Komikstok (July 16 to 18), promises comix-related films, a sales fair and appearances by world-renowned artists. Other guests include cult Kraut Udo Kier, Spanish horror master Paul Naschy, Ginger Snaps star Emily Perkins and Andy Kaufman's ex, Lynne Margulies. Apart from quality entertainment, Fantasia is notable for its "adrenalised rock concert atmosphere, says Davis. "But the crowd really respects film. They'll cheer, but you'll never catch anyone on a cell phone.
