In the year 2021, when the pandemic had forced most film festivals to adopt an online-only model, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) found a unique way to keep the spirit of cinema alive. Thanks to its late summer timing, TIFF managed to implement a soft-hybrid approach, drastically reducing the number of films and incorporating drive-in screenings and ultra-low capacity cinema showings.

Given the scarcity of Midnight Madness movies that year, Peter Kuplowsky, a dedicated Speed Racer aficionado and the Midnight Madness programmer, took matters into his own hands. He rented the temporarily closed Royal Cinema for nights when there were no midnight screenings. To make these nights special, he invited the Racer Trash collective—a diverse group of film editors known for their inventive remixes, mash-ups, and outright deconstructions of pop cinema and cultural artifacts. They showcased their work on the Twitch streaming platform. According to a report by The Verge, Racer Trash was born out of a creative need to combine unlikely elements, starting with a mash-up of Two Lane Blacktop and The Wachowskis’ Speed Racer.

Kuplowsky set up a live chat on a large TV in a corner of the house, creating an eclectic mix of local attendees and a few out-of-town TIFF visitors. These gatherings turned into my initiation into Racer Trash’s unique portmanteau mash-ups. Screened as double features, I experienced “The ABBA-dook,” which reimagined Jennifer Kent’s cult horror film “The Babadook” with a soundtrack by the famous Swedish group ABBA. Another highlight was “You’ve Got Nails,” which revisited the cult-Canadian show “The Kids in the Hall: Braincandy,” and an epic remix of David Lynch’s “Dune,” thickly layered with Spice Girls songs and perfume ads—a fitting counterpoint to Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” the biggest title at TIFF that year.

The aesthetic was deliberately chaotic—strobe-heavy visuals, VHS noise, and neon-rainbow palettes that juxtaposed ultra-expensive blockbusters with cult TV commercials, pop music, and internet memes. This deliberate bad taste was part of the charm. Attendees both in-person and online engaged with memes, jokes, and chat during screenings, making the experience as much about community interaction as it was about viewing the films.

Reflecting on the event, Peter Kuplowsky shared, “I started this on a whim during the pandemic when TIFF was screening fewer movies. I wanted to showcase unconventional art that pushed boundaries even by cult film standards. I thought it would be a one-off event, but the positive reaction compelled me to make it a regular thing. With TIFF becoming increasingly expensive to attend, I liked the idea of providing an accessible cult film event around the festival.”

The second year evolved into a remix of a remix, featuring an extended pre-show of new remix waves. Highlights included “The Texas Chain-Ska Massacre,” noted for its closing dance scene, and “Seabizkit,” a hilariously savage take on Gary Marshall’s “Seabiscuit,” transformed with Limp Bizkit’s nu-metal soundtrack. A secret screening of Zach Cregger’s soon-to-be-released “Barbarian” pleased a full house at The Royal Cinema. Given that classic Toronto repertory cinemas were dwindling, filling The Royal with film enthusiasts for such an event felt rare and special.

By the third year, the remixes were fewer and shorter but still impactful. Sydney Pollack’s “Jeremiah Johnson,” featuring numerous iconic Robert Redford glances at the camera, resonated well with audiences. This was beautifully in sync with that year’s standout film, “Hundreds of Beavers”—a black-and-white musical comedy inspired by video games and slapstick humor, blending various entertainment eras with modern tools.

On September 4th, Midnight Dankness returns to The Royal Cinema for its fourth edition, elevating the experience to a full overnight marathon. This event aims to showcase eccentric and innovative works by filmmakers and artists who operate outside mainstream channels or defy conventional aesthetics and “good taste.” Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door from 6 pm on September 4th.