Actor Bill Paxton's directorial debut Frailty opens this year's 16th International Fantasy Filmfest, which hits Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne and Hamburg before its finale in Berlin next month.

The critically acclaimed film, which stars Paxton as a God-sent serial killer, features among a total of 63 films. Highlights include the international premieres of Warner Bros. Pictures' summer hit Eight Legged Freaks, the dark One Hour Photo, starring Robin Williams and the world premiere of Matthew Bright's chilling boy-monster next door feature, Ted Bundy. The festival closes with the European premiere of Danny and Oxide Pang's Asian supernatural shocker The Eye.

Fantasy Filmfest organisers say they expect around 124,000 visitors this year, a 10% increase on last year.

In addition to the official selection films, sidebars this year include a futuristic Focus Asia, which will include films from Korea, Hong Kong and Japan. Other sidebars include a look at French speciality distributor 'Wild Bunch' including the World Premieres of Red Siren, starring Jean-Marc Barr as well as Gaspar Noe's recent Cannes title Irreversible