Gimme Truth Documentary Premiered at Fantastic Fest
Directors Brad Abrahams and Simon Ennis debuted their film about conspiracy subcultures in September 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Documentary
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In September 2026, the documentary film Gimme Truth premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin. Co-directed by Ryerson University alumni Brad Abrahams and Simon Ennis, the production examines various conspiracy theory movements.
Why it matters
The directors utilized a co-directing model to manage the psychological intensity of researching disturbing subcultures. The project prioritized a nuanced approach to subjects holding fringe beliefs regarding topics like QAnon and the January 6 riots.
Gimme Truth holds the distinction of being the only documentary screened during the 2026 Fantastic Fest. The film features prominent interviews with individuals including Mikki Willis and Justin Kohn.
The players
Brad Abrahams
He is a filmmaker and graduate of the Ryerson University film program who co-directed this documentary.
Simon Ennis
He is a director and Ryerson University alumnus known for his previous work on tabletop gaming documentaries.
Mikki Willis
He is an interviewee featured in the film who participates in discussions regarding conspiracy theory subcultures.
Justin Kohn
He is a subject interviewed for the documentary who resides in Marin County.
The details
To maintain subject trust, the directors limited their production crew to only two people while attending various conspiracy theory conferences for research. The team intentionally avoided filming individuals they suspected of suffering from mental illness to ensure ethical storytelling.
Timeline
The documentary Gimme Truth screened at Fantastic Fest in September 2026.
Co-director Simon Ennis previously directed a project about tabletop gaming in 2024.
Industry Dynamics
The screening of Gimme Truth at the 2026 Fantastic Fest underscores the festival's ongoing commitment to challenging non-fiction storytelling, a trend that distinguishes it from traditional genre festivals. The film follows a pattern set by previous non-fiction selections at the festival that prioritize subversive and investigative subject matter.
As the sole documentary presented at the 2026 Fantastic Fest, the film offered attendees a rare opportunity to engage with the filmmakers' investigative process. Potential viewers should watch for future distribution updates to see how this project is made available to the public.
The takeaway
Filmmakers researching volatile topics often benefit from collaborative models to share the emotional burden of their work. Researchers and documentarians can implement this two-person strategy to help maintain genuine rapport with subjects in polarized environments.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest projects in the local scene by browsing our Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Austin Chronicle.
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