‘Honeycomb,’ ‘CAMP’ Helmer Avalon Fast Is a Double Threat at Fantasia

variety.com:

Marta Balaga Avalon Fast was a young director to watch at this year’s Fantasia, bringing her 2022 feature “Honeycomb” to the Canadian fest as well as upcoming horror “CAMP,” presented in Frontieres’ official selection.Set to be produced by Michael Peterson (Peterson Polaris Corp), Peter Kuplowsky (Lowsky Productions), Taylor Nodrick and Fast herself, it will see a camp counselor for troubled youth who, reeling from a past tragedy, starts suspecting her female colleagues of witchcraft in service of a woodland spirit.The project, currently in advanced development, will allow the audience to feel a “real sense of magic,” promises Fast. “I want it to be bold,” she tells Variety.“I love [Nicolas Cage-starrer] ‘Mandy’, which has been a huge inspiration.

Having a bigger budget allowed me to finally incorporate some ideas I have been storing away. I want people to keep wondering if my protagonist is losing her mind or if these supernatural things are really happening.

By the end, you will know.”While “nervous” about moving onto bigger productions, Fast – who has directed, produced, co-written and edited “Honeycomb” – is ready to give up some control in the future.“Before, I was in charge of so much.

I think I resented it sometimes. With ‘CAMP,’ I know there is going to be a lot more collaboration, but I still want the kind of crew I can be friends with.”Friendship was on her mind also when developing both stories, as Fast continues to talk about women and their complicated connections. “Honeycomb,” about to be released on Blu-ray by Gold Ninja Video, features a group of girls leaving everything behind one summer and heading to remote countryside where no one can control them.