San Francisco’s Another Hole in the Head Film Festival is renowned for showcasing the weird, the wacky, and the wondrous in cutting-edge cinema, and this year’s edition shows exactly why. With both in-person screenings and a virtual edition, genre-film aficionados can even join in from the comfort of their couches for the entire month of December.
I’ve reviewed five of this year’s offerings for previous festivals that Another Hole in the Head Film Festival attendees will want to put on their need-to-see lists, and after the fest’s official press announcement — following, in italics — you’ll find quotes from and links to my reviews of those recommended films. For more information, visit https://www.ahith.com/.
Now in its 22nd year, the Another Hole in the Head Film Festival continues its mission to bring bold, boundary-pushing cinema to adventurous audiences. This year’s festival dives deep into the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and beyond, offering a global showcase of fearless independent filmmaking.
Audiences can expect dozens of feature films and hundreds of short films that redefine genre storytelling—each one a testament to the imagination and creativity thriving in today’s indie film scene. Whether it’s mind-bending sci-fi, darkly comic horror, or genre hybrids that defy easy labels, the 2025 lineup promises to challenge, thrill, and inspire.
The cinematic celebration unfolds December 5–18 at San Francisco’s legendary Balboa Theater, where audiences can experience the festival’s electrifying lineup on the big screen. Many screenings will feature in-person appearances and Q&As with filmmakers, offering fans a rare chance to connect directly with the creative minds behind the films.
For those who prefer to watch from home — or want to keep the festival spirit going all month long — On-Demand screenings will be available December 1–31 through Eventive, bringing the weird, the wild, and the wonderful straight to your screen.
Bad Haircut
Synopsis: When a college kid goes to a new place to get a haircut, he discovers that his barber is a psychopath.
“Writer/director Kyle Misak’s horror comedy Bad Haircut is an unadulterated blast . . . Rich with weirdness, humor, suspense, and unpredictability, the film is certain to be a crowd pleaser.” Full review here.
Adorable Humans
Synopsis: Four separate yet interconnected chapters, each of them a contemporary horror-adaptation of a story by Hans Christian Andersen, tell four stories about fate and acceptance, about love and loss.
“Put the kiddies to bed because this Danish anthology of Hans Christian Andersen adaptations is decidedly not for them. Adorable Humans is abundant with sex, drugs, and yes, rock and roll — not to mention no shortage of violence — with each segment deserving of the description ‘macabre.’” Full review here.
Weekend at the End of the World
Synopsis: Best friends Karl and Miles have an opportunity to strike it rich, the only thing that stands in their way is the end of the world.
“I am a big fan of horror comedies done well, and I can honestly say that I haven’t laughed out loud at one in recent memory as much as I did with director Gille Klabin’s Weekend at the End of the World. A buddy comedy with plenty of fear-far elements, the film is an absolute blast.” Full review here.
Kombucha
Synopsis: A mind-altering drink makes employees work themselves to death.
“. . . a highly amusing chills-and-chuckles film that boasts super performances from its cast members, solid direction and pacing that builds to a weird, wild climax . . . Kombucha comes highly recommended for horror comedy aficionados and anyone less than enthused with their corporate office climate.” Full review here.
Influencers
Synopsis: In the picturesque landscapes of southern France, a young woman’s chilling fascination with murder and identity theft sends her life into a whirlwind of chaos.
“ . . . ramps up the insanity from the first film [Influencer], and though you may have to willingly suspend some disbelief once in a while, you’ll be doing it for the sake of enjoying a full-throttle horror outing that has no shortage of kills and thrills. Influencers is full-on fun scare-fare entertainment that comes highly recommended . . .” Full review here.
