When the program for the 2022 Chattanooga Film Festival was announced, one film immediately jumped out at me based on the title alone.

Chattanooga Film Festival has been one of my favorite festivals since I first attended in 2020, often supplying movies that make my personal top ten lists and movies I wouldn’t see anywhere else—films like Pussycake, Modell Olimpia, and The Creeping.

Theodore Schaefer’s Giving Birth To A Butterfly is a movie that will bring to mind some of Lynch’s work but undoubtedly stands on its own two feet, and in the process of paying homage to Montana’s favorite weirdo gives us something undeniably beautiful and deeply moving.

Robbie Banfitch’s The Outwaters is not one of those films that makes you wish the Found Footage genre would just stay dead and instead reminds you of how truly weird the technique can be.

One of the most exciting things about independent movies is being able to bring to life a concept that big studios wouldn’t fund, such as Bryan Connolly’s scathingly accurate satire of the Hollywood film industry, Make Popular Movies.

Ashley Anderson says this showcase includes a delightful collection of thrillers, comedies, fear, and surprises.

E.L. King says the Dangerous Visions Vol. 2 showcase of horror and genre shorts at the Chattanooga Film Festival takes us to other worlds and explores are deepest fears.

Sammy Mannion says the Dangerous Visions Vol. 1 showcase of horror and genre shorts at Chattanooga Film Festival is deeply moving, frightening, brilliant and gruesome.

Ashley Anderson says the satire in Guts is a reprieve from its gruesome moments.

We’re coming at you fresh out of the Chattanooga Film Fest 2022, ghouls. Corie and Sarah, hosts of Gag Me With a Chainsaw, help us wrap up another year of dark, weird, devastating and hilarious indie features and shorts.

Jaclyn Barlett says with alluring cinematography and a surreal structure, Wulver’s Stane is a captivating work of art.

Ashley Anderson says Mystery Spot is an interesting story with a confusing and unsatisfying ending.

Ashley Anderson says the relatability of receiving unwanted spam calls creates the uncertain potential for Cruise’s realism.

Greg Swinson and Ryan Thiessen’s Night Shift is a no-holds-barred siege film with an unkillable emotional core.

El apego utilizes surreal and dreamlike imagery to establish the complexities of a most haunting relationship. It’s the kind of film that sticks with you like hot honey and the way with which the story unfolds is downright wicked and innovative.

Breanna Lucci says Night Shift is a layered story that exposes the ugly side of our patriarchal society.

Instead of a traditional ghost story, Hooper weaves a tale of family secrets being just as frightening as any ghost. In fact, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that the explicit introduction of the supernatural weakens this film.

Everything about ‘Hell Hole’ harkens back to the Showa era of Godzilla and a childhood favorite of mine, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.

Jaclyn Bartlett says Cubed Row offers a captivating experience, creating a unique world through its stunning visual elements.

Breanna Lucci says Landlocked provides a modern spin on found footage while tackling the complexities of family history and grief.