New Genre Label Chroma Launches, Partners With Fantastic Fest on Fantastic Pitches, Offering $100,000 to Winning Pitch Team (EXCLUSIVE)

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To mark its 20-year milestone, Austin’s Fantastic Fest is taking a daring step into production financing by teaming up with fresh genre label Chroma for the introduction of Fantastic Pitches.

Ahbra Perry has recently been named Vice President at Chroma, a company that specializes in distributing, acquiring, and producing daring, innovative films within the genre category on a global scale.

A proponent of unique cinema genres, Perry previously led Alamo on Demand and held positions such as director of Giant Pictures’ streaming channels and theatrical acquisitions for Drafthouse Films.

Perry is known for promoting uncommon types of movies. Previously, he worked in charge at Alamo on Demand, and also had roles in managing Giant Pictures’ online streaming platforms and choosing films for Drafthouse Films to show in theaters.

With the guidance of seasoned distribution professionals, Perry assumes her new position where she will manage Chroma’s movie lineup and lead production initiatives. Her primary goal is to boost filmmakers working with limited resources and innovative ideas that are poised to fuel the emerging trend in independent genre films.

Perry, under the advice of experienced professionals, takes on a new job where she will handle Chroma’s movies and lead production projects. Her main objective is to help filmmakers with small budgets and unique ideas that are expected to contribute significantly to independent genre films in the future.

Perry stated, ‘We’re right at a pivotal juncture for independent cinema, and introducing Chroma to bolster emerging artists seems fitting at this opportune time.’ We’re deeply invested in genre films, and it’s evident that the filmmakers we collaborate with share this passion. Every venture we undertake is unique and exceptional in its own right. This collaboration with Fantastic Fest couldn’t be more ideal – it’s designed to nurture the artists we admire and those we haven’t encountered yet.’

Films can be produced independently and should be made in English, although proposals are welcome from any region. The submission window for full-length film ideas will run from June 16th to August 8th. The finalists will participate in a face-to-face pitching session at the festival in Austin, Texas, where they’ll be evaluated by a team of industry professionals. A winner will be chosen on location during this event.

At this year’s Fantastic Fest, we’re searching for exceptional pitch ideas for micro-budget genre films. The team with the best pitch will win a $100,000 grant to finish their movie, a guaranteed world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2026, and global distribution rights through Chroma, an organization supported by Narrative Distribution.

For the last two decades, Fantastic Fest has played a significant role in kickstarting the careers of numerous filmmakers. Through its latest alliance with Chroma, it is further supporting the emergence of independent genre cinema. As the closing event at Cannes, this partnership showcases a clear intention and ambition,” stated Lisa Dreyer, Director of Fantastic Festival.

With an increasing number of genres being produced globally, primarily fueled by emerging filmmakers, Fantastic Fest is starting to explore the realm of project development. So far, this festival hasn’t featured a project showcase or a structured market.

According to Dreyer, the Pitches could be “the initial foundation for what’s to come.” She shared this during her conversation with EbMaster at Cannes. “There’s an abundance of genres being produced, and with the acclaim garnered by ‘The Substance,’ it’s becoming clear that it holds significant commercial potential,” she further explained.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but notice the immense success genre movies are experiencing at the box office. It’s truly astounding to witness such an outpouring of creativity within these genres. The world could always use more art, and genre films certainly contribute their share.

Perry pointed out that it’s quite remarkable for numerous small movies to secure any form of distribution.”

“Dreyer also mentioned that each year we come across countless fantastic films, many of which screen at Sundance, but they struggle to find distribution,” he added.

Chroma can assist in movie production, directing filmmakers towards locations that offer tax incentives, thus enabling them to maximize a budget of $100,000,” she noted. The purpose of the Fantastic Pitches is simply to aid these filmmakers and ultimately debut their work at Fantastic Fest. However, we’re innovating the methodology for how independent genre films are created – from conceptualization to premiere.

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2025-05-16 09:16