My favorite movies when it comes to pre-release hype are those little films that make a lot of noise on the festival circuit or have an entertaining viral marketing campaign behind them. Monsters is a movie like that.

The movie is directed by Gareth Edwards, a relative newcomer with a few unknown titles under his belt supported by some visual effect work. It tells the story of a time when life has been discovered in other parts of the universe and a probe has been sent out to collect samples. The probe crashes in Central America on its way back in, and new lifeforms begin emerging and growing rapidly.

Click on over to the other side to check out a clip from the movie and a new trailer!

The thing that stands out about Monsters is the size. This is a film that it is said to have cost as little as $15,000 to make — making it a candidate to become the next Paranormal Activity, District 9, or The Blair Witch Project, which cost very little to produce but made a lot more upon release. Of those movies this definitely has a District 9 vibe to it, and if it’s even remotely close to being that good, it’s already a must-see.

Everything I’ve heard about the movie has come from /Film, who were able to see it at the last Cannes Film Festival. Now that I’m twitching with excitement to see it, it’s your turn to watch, learn, and join me.

At the moment, Monsters is set for limited release on October 29th 2010.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Starring Scoot McNairy (“In Search Of A Midnight Kiss”) and Whitney Able (“All The Boys Love Mandy Lane”).

The breakout hit of this years SXSW, Gareth Edwards’ groundbreaking new film is as much a poignant contemporary romance as it is an epic science fiction adventure. Shot with just a five person crew and a cast of two, Gareth Edwards’ team traveled through Guatemala, Belize and Mexico, finding and utilizing their locations and supporting actors as they went. The result is a film as cutting edge as it is classically composed, as emotionally satisfying as it is visually stunning, and the bold announcement of a major new talent.

Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America. Soon after, new life forms began to appear and grow. In an effort to stem the destruction that resulted, half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain the massive creatures”¦ Our story begins when a jaded US journalist (McNairy) begrudgingly agrees to find his bosses daughter, a shaken American tourist (Able) and escort her through the infected zone to the safety of the US border.

Trailer and Clip