Eleven-year-old Mildred’s (Fisher) life is turned upside down when her stressed out, strapped-for-cash single mum lands in hospital and her estranged father, Strawn Wise (Wood) – a has-been American illusionist – flies to New Zealand to look after her.

The bookish tween’s lifelong quest has been to capture proof that the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther exists, which would bring with it a cash prize that would pull her and her mother out of their financial struggles.

Newly introduced father and daughter head to the wilderness on a camping trip for the ultimate test of family bonding, watched from afar by a deadly black beast that could be the answer to all their woes.

Exploring universal themes of fatherhood, survival and overcoming your fears, and with the rugged Southern New Zealand landscape as its backdrop, BOOKWORM will make you laugh, cry and warm your heart as it takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.

We have 10x Family Passes to See
BOOKWORM In Cinemas to GIVEAWAY
courtesy of Rialto Distribution

For your chance to WIN, all you need do is LIKE our Facebook Post or Instagram Post and EMAIL US at competitions@monsterfest.com.au with your favourite adventure film and why.

Entry details and conditions:
Competition closes at 11:59pm AEST Monday 26 August 2024
Open only to folks residing in Australia.
One entry per person.
Winners will be notified via email.
This is a game of creativity and skill.
Our Privacy Policy can be found here.

In Australian Cinemas August 29

5) POSSESSION
Dir. Andrzej Zulawski | 1981

Watch Now
Polish filmmaker Andrzej Żuławski’s first and last English-language feature, POSSESSION, transcends the concept of language, in crafting a hybrid of literal horror and psychological drama that follows the breakdown of the marriage and individual identity crisis of Anna (Isabelle Adjani) and Mark (Sam Neill).

4) COMING HOME IN THE DARK
Dir. James Ashcroft | 2021

Watch Now
New Zealand co-writer/ director James Ashcroft takes you on suspense-fuelled and dread-inducing journey with his Sundance Film Festival official selection, COMING HOME IN THE DARK, that traps a family on a road trip to hell with a madman (Daniel Gillies) at the wheel.

3) THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT
Dir. Lars von Trier | 2018

Watch Now
Winner of ‘Best Director’ at Monster Fest in 2018, Lars von Trier’s disturbing drama, THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, follows the highly intelligent Jack (Matt Dillon) over a span of 12 years and introduces the murders that define Jack’s development as a serial killer.

2) COME TO DADDY
Dir. Ant Timpson | 2019

Watch Now
From the delightfully warped minds that brought you THE GREASY STRANGLER comes Ant Timpson‘s neo-surrealistic, hilarious and thoroughly engaging COME TO DADDY, an intimate and isolated tale of Norval (Elijah Wood) who travels to a remote cabin by the seaside to reconnect with his estranged father (Stephen McHattie).

1) HOUSEBOAT HORROR
Dir. Ollie Martin | 1989

Watch Now
Step aboard filmmaker Ollie Martin’s iconic Aussie slasher HOUSEBOAT HORROR, where the waters of once tranquil Lake Infinity fast become a tidal wave of gore, perms, wool knit jumpers, knock-out Brian Mannix song hits and above all homegrown hilarity. It’s a rite of passage for all Australian citizens to experience Martin’s horror opus and now Umbrella Entertainment are making that possible for all those who reside down under and our Kiwi friends across the ditch for free via BROLLIE.

You can sign-up here to BROLLIE and start streaming straight away

Despite rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, the world of home entertainment distribution have not seen fit to give Timpson’s breakthrough feature debut the justice it rightly deserves on disc!

Enter Umbrella Entertainment who have gone above and beyond to deliver a world-best Blu-ray release loaded with content!

Special Features include the West Coast Premiere Q&A with co-writer/executive producer/director Ant Timpson and actor Elijah Wood (from Beyond Fest at LA’s Egyptian Theatre), Gag Reel, Storyboards, Theatrical Trailer, Teaser Trailer and Ant Timpson’s short film CRAB BOY.

Norval Greenwood (Elijah Wood), a privileged man-child arrives at the beautiful and remote coastal cabin of his estranged father (Stephen McHattie). He quickly discovers that not only is dad a jerk, but he also has a shady past that is rushing to catch up with both of them. Now, hundreds of miles from his cushy comfort zone, Norval must battle with demons, both real and perceived, in order to reconnect with a father he barely knows.

COME TO DADDY headed to Blu-ray & DVD from July 8th and available to pre-order now!

To celebrate the release of this delightfully warped and thoroughly engaging modern classic in the making, Umbrella Entertainment have shared with us this EXCLUSIVE SCENE CLIP from the film!

Norval Greenwood (Elijah Wood), a privileged man-child arrives at the beautiful and remote coastal cabin of his estranged father (Stephen McHattie). He quickly discovers that not only is dad a jerk, but he also has a shady past that is rushing to catch up with both of them. Now, hundreds of miles from his cushy comfort zone, Norval must battle with demons, both real and perceived, in order to reconnect with a father he barely knows.

COME TO DADDY is available now On-Demand to rent or buy!

From the delightfully warped minds that brought you THE GREASY STRANGLER comes the neo-surrealistic, hilarious and thoroughly engaging COME TO DADDY, an intimate and isolated tale of Norval (Elijah Wood) who travels to a a remote cabin by the seaside to reconnect with his estranged father (Stephen McHattie).

Norval Greenwood (Wood), a privileged man-child arrives at the beautiful and remote coastal cabin of his estranged father (McHattie). He quickly discovers that not only is dad a jerk, but he also has a shady past that is rushing to catch up with both of them. Now, hundreds of miles from his cushy comfort zone, Norval must battle with demons, both real and perceived, in order to reconnect with a father he barely knows.

COME TO DADDY will be available to rent or buy digitally from Wednesday April 1st and you can even pre-order now!

Norval Greenwood (Wood), a privileged man-child arrives at the beautiful and remote coastal cabin of his estranged father (McHattie). He quickly discovers that not only is dad a jerk, but he also has a shady past that is rushing to catch up with both of them. Now, hundreds of miles from his cushy comfort zone, Norval must battle with demons, both real and perceived, in order to reconnect with a father he barely knows.

After wowing audiences at last year’s FANGORIA x MONSTER FEST 2019 and proving to be a festival favourite, Timpson’s COME TO DADDY will open in select cinemas across Australia from Thursday April 2nd.

For a list of participating cinemas, visit the COME TO DADDY page on the Umbrella Entertainment website here!

Norval Greenwood, a privileged man-child arrives at the beautiful and remote coastal cabin of his estranged father, who he hasn’t seen in 30 years. He quickly discovers that not only is dad a disapproving jerk, he also has a shady past that is rushing to catch up with him. Now, hundreds of miles from his cushy comfort zone, Norval must battle with demons both real and perceived in order to reconnect with a father he barely knows.

COME TO DADDY wowed FANGORIA x MONSTER FEST 2019: MONSTER TAKES AUSTRALIA audiences in November and we can’t for Umbrella Entertainment to release the film theatrically in Australian & New Zealand cinemas come 2020!

The film that receives the largest amount of votes will receive the ‘Audience Award’!

Here’s a list of every feature that played at this year’s FANGORIA x MONSTER FEST 2019 across Australia…

3 FROM HELL
THE FURIES
COLOR OUT OF SPACE
SATANIC PANIC
COUNTDOWN
VFW
AFTER MIDNIGHT
PORNO
GHOST KILLERS VS. BLOODY MARY
BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE & GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON
DEERSKIN
COME TO DADDY
DOGS DON’T WEAR PANTS
THE WRETCHED
RIOT GIRLS
BLISS
VIVARIUM
DANIEL ISN’T REAL
HOUSEBOAT HORROR
TAMMY AND THE T-REX
TWO HEADS CREEK
BLOOD VESSEL
RABID
EXTRA ORDINARY
READY OR NOT
A GOOD WOMAN IS HARD TO FIND
CULT GIRLS
FINALE
BEAST NO MORE
THE DUSTWALKER
1BR
HARPOON
IRON FISTS AND KUNG FU KICKS
DARK WHISPERS VOLUME 1
A BIGGER JAIL
THE FACELESS MAN
OUTBACK
CUT
NO SUCH THING AS MONSTERS
PHANTOM OF WINNIPEG
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE
BUTT BOY
IN SEARCH OF HORROR

To vote for your favourite film, jump on our Facebook or Instagram thread or if you’re not on the socials email us at jarret@monsterfest.com.au to let us know your pick and be in the running to receive 1 of 3 VIP Passes to our 2020 festival in your preferred city!

Please note voting is strictly for Monster Fest festival patrons*.

If you worked in any capacity on a feature you not permitted to vote. We politely ask that if you are a friend or family member of someone who worked on a film that you refrain from voting.

*Festival patrons are audience members who have paid and attended three or more sessions at any of our Monster Fest dates.

Here’s a look at the films in the FREAK ME OUT program and when you catch them…

DANIEL ISN’T REAL
Adam Egypt Mortimer‘s mind-bending psychological horror DANIEL ISN’T REAL follows a troubled teen who in an effort to overcome a devastating trauma, reawakens his childhood imaginary friend with dire consequences. As a troubled boy, Luke’s bestie was imaginary playmate Daniel. That’s before Luke’s mentally ill mother forced him to lock Daniel away. Luke’s now a socially awkward student whose counselor suggests he “unlock” his old friend. It seems like a great idea – at first. Daniel’s become a smooth-talkin’ cool cat who helps Luke hook up with artist Cassie. But there’s something much deeper and darker on Daniel’s extremely twisted mind. This exercise in emotional duality and urban paranoia is a cosmic fever-dream that lingers long after the end credits have rolled.

Screening on Friday 7th June and Sunday 9th June.
COME TO DADDY
From the delightfully warped minds that brought you THE GREASY STRANGLER comes Ant Timpson‘s neo-surrealistic, hilarious and thoroughly engaging COME TO DADDY, an intimate and isolated tale of Norval (Elijah Wood) who travels to a a remote cabin by the seaside to reconnect with his estranged father (Stephen McHattie). 35-year-old Norval (Elijah Wood) hasn’t seen his dad since he was five. Out of the blue he receives a heartfelt letter asking him to visit. What’s a nervy and needy son to do except drop everything and trek out to dad’s funky, flying saucer-shaped house in the middle of nowhere? It’s an understatement to say that Norval’s desperately longed-for bonding with his father gets off to a rather shaky start. And things just get worse…much worse.

Screening on Friday 14th June and Sunday 16th June
DEPRAVED
Mary Shelley’s classic has inspired countless films since 1910. It’s to the enormous credit of indie horror king Larry Fessenden (Wendigo) that Depraved feels so fresh. Frankenstein Castle is now a warehouse in Brooklyn occupied by Henry, a doctor haunted by memories of soldiers he couldn’t save in Iraq. Bankrolling Henry is his ambitious businessman buddy Polidori. Then there’s Alex, who wakes up after being stabbed and slowly realises he’s the brain inside a stitched-together body named Adam. But is Adam any different from every other lost soul in New York? A scary, tense and darkly comic tale laced with hallucinatory imagery and driven by powerful emotion, Depraved is one hell of a horror movie.

Screening Wednesday 5th June and Monday 10th of June.

THE WIND
We’re not riding the range with cowboys in this highlight of Toronto’s Midnight Madness programme. We’re inside one of those cabins in the middle of a windswept nowhere, where women fended for themselves while men conquered the land and other men. Caitlin Gerard (Insidious: The Last Key) is superb as Lizzy Macklin. Her grip on reality begins to crumble in the long absences of husband Isaac, as she battles isolation, madness and spiritual demons. Flashbacks and flashes-forward show the couple’s intriguing relationship with neighbour Gideon and his flighty and superstitious wife Emma, who believes demons roam the prairie. This beautifully photographed tale grabs you from its explosive opening scenes and never lets go.

Screening Thursday 6th June and Wednesday 12th June

HERE COMES HELL
I say now, what the Dickens is this? A tip-top comic horror pastiche, I’ll be bound! The awfully good debut by director Jack McHenry and co-writer Alice Sidgwick unfolds in a classic Old Dark House. Cravat-wearing toff Victor just bought the decrepit pile and has invited his chums for the weekend. Delightfully drawn archetypes in attendance include acid-tongued socialite Christine, dishy tennis player Teddy and his nervous new girlfriend Elizabeth. The thing is, you see, Victor’s new digs are supposedly haunted, and he thinks it’d be simply capital fun to hold a séance. What follows is wonderfully witty and bloody entertainment with a jolly good bolt of modern girl-power lightning, to be sure.

Screening on Saturday 8th June and Tuesday 11th June

WHY DON’T YOU JUST DIE!
Revenge, blackmail and spectacularly dysfunctional family dynamics are the dishes served up in 29-year-old Kirill Sokolov’s dazzling debut. The deceptively simple story centres on Matvei, a nervous young guy who arrives at a Moscow apartment with a hammer in his hand and murder on his mind. Inside is Andrei, a hulking police detective and father of Matvei’s girlfriend, Olya. It’s not long before all blood-spurting hell breaks loose and Sokolov’s non-linear screenplay gives us the meticulously mapped-out dope on everyone involved in the mounting mayhem. This furiously-paced fireball is fabulously performed by a game cast and marks the arrival of an exciting new talent on the world cinema stage.

Screening on Sunday 9th of June and Thursday 13th June

DARK PLACE
Australian genre cinema takes an exciting leap forward with Dark Place, a quintet of tales that approach post-colonial Indigenous history through the lenses of horror and fantasy. Bjorn Stewart brings outback zombies into the frame in the rollicking splatter comedy Killer Native. An insomniac questions her sanity in Liam Phillip’s suspenseful Foe. Supernatural forces visit a housing commission estate in the gritty Vale Light by Rob Braslin. Gothic horror shrouds the woods in Perun Bonser’s atmospheric The Shore, and female oppression and revenge take centre stage in Kodie Bedford’s punchy Scout.

Screening Saturday 15th June and Sunday 16th June

For more information or for the festival’s full program, check out their website here!