The Yami International Film Festival, a new cinematic event focusing on horror and darker genre fare, is poised to make its debut in Tokyo from November 20–26 at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya. As first reported by Variety, the festival will open its curtains with the highly anticipated psychological horror short, "Night Feeds," featuring Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy, widely recognized for her role in Marvel's "Moon Knight."

"Night Feeds," directed by Rana Roy, delves into the unsettling experience of a new mother grappling with intense isolation and anxiety. Her internal struggles become inextricably linked with a looming war in the outside world, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. Calamawy, whose credits also include Lee Cronin's "The Mummy," leads the film, which was produced at the American Film Institute.

The Yami International Film Festival is an initiative by Yami Inc., a Japanese company with a strong background in horror exhibitions and genre-themed attractions. Its core mission is to bridge the gap between international and domestic horror filmmakers and Japanese audiences, fostering a new appreciation for the diverse forms the genre can take. An open call for submissions earlier this year attracted 182 entries from 40 countries and territories, culminating in a curated selection of six features and eight shorts for the competitive sections.

While "Night Feeds" takes the spotlight as the opening short, the festival will conclude with "Breeder," a horror-thriller from director Alex Goyette. This film promises a blend of dark comedy and scares, with multiple Emmy nominee Dot-Marie Jones ("Glee") portraying a character pushed to the brink of madness. Both Rana Roy and Alex Goyette will be in attendance, serving as jury members alongside Japanese actress Sukezane Kiki, known for her roles in international productions like "Heroes Reborn" and "Westworld."

Festival Director and head of programming, Wada Arihiro, articulated the festival's vision, stating, "Physical terror, psychological horror, the unease lurking beneath the everyday, and dark humor. The films presented at Yami each explore ‘fear’ in their own distinctive ways." He emphasized a commitment to films that "unsettle the senses, challenge expectations, and reveal new forms of fear," inviting attendees to Shibuya to experience "the cutting edge of horror from around the world."

The lineup also includes several notable premieres, such as Zoe Berriatúa’s Spanish title “Buffet Libre” and Abner Pastoll’s South Korea-U.K. co-production “Nervous,” both making their Asian debuts. Rick Kawanaka’s Japanese entry “The Pot” will mark its world premiere within the short competition, further solidifying the festival's commitment to showcasing fresh and diverse talent.