Sitges Film Festival 2024 in Barcelona

Visit one of the world's premier international festivals

Dates: October 3–13, 2024

The Sitges Film Festival, or Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya, is the world's first annual fantastic film festival and cultural event in Sitges, Catalonia. It specializes in fantasy and horror films, of which it is considered one of the world's foremost international festivals. With a solid trajectory, the Sitges Festival offers fantastic cinema from around the world and a stimulating framework for meetings, exhibitions, presentations, and projections.

2024 Programme

The Sitges Film Festival program features an exciting lineup of new films from acclaimed directors. Among the highlights are Cloud by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Zero by Jean Luc Herbulot, Steppenwolf by Adilkhan Yerzhanov, Terrifier 3 by Damien Leone, and The Second Act by Quentin Dupieux. Other notable films making waves include Cuckoo, Azrael, The Devil's Bath, Exhuma, and Animale. The festival also showcases compelling documentaries, such as 78/52 by Alexandre O. Philippe, which explores The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Boutique: To Preserve and Collect by Ry Levey, focusing on boutique home video labels.

Venues

The central headquarters of the Festival, Hotel Meliá Sitges, features two projection rooms: the Auditorium, with a capacity for 1,380 spectators, and the Tramuntana Room, where 400 journalists gather first thing in the morning to enjoy press screenings. The Brigadoon Section offers free sessions that celebrate, recover, and pay tribute to the most daring genre of cinema. These sessions are held on the -1 floor of Hotel Meliá. Cine El Retiro, an emblematic venue in the center of Sitges, has a capacity of 600 seats and hosts the best premieres from the Panorama and Midnight X-treme sections. Cinema Casino Prado is another key venue in the DNA of Sitges. It is a temple for sections such as New Visions, Anima't, and Seven Chances, and also hosts night sessions and marathons.

2024 Lineup

The Sitges Film Festival has announced an exciting lineup of films, including 'Terrifier 3', ‘A Different Man’, 'Exhuma', 'Azrael', and 'The Devil's Bath'. This year's festival features works by renowned directors such as Quentin Dupieux, Carles Torrens, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Soi Cheang, and Pablo Hernando. Additionally, new award winners include notable figures like Nick Frost, Corey Feldman, Christophe Gans, and Fred Dekker.

Entertainment

The Foodtastic Area, located at Balmins Avenue with Ramon Planas Street, transforms into a vibrant Food Truck haven from October 5 to 15. Nestled by the sea, it offers a diverse array of national and international cuisines catering to carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and seafood enthusiasts alike. Operating from noon to midnight, it promises a culinary adventure against a picturesque backdrop.

Meanwhile, MEETING emerges as a dynamic outdoor leisure space within the festival. Set in a relaxed, chill-out atmosphere at Avinguda Balmins, 21 (near Ermita de Sant Sebastià), it hosts a spectrum of activities, including live music, film screenings, podcasts, and multidisciplinary arts. Engage in brand activations, strike a pose at the photocall, and mingle with cinema enthusiasts. Adding to the ambiance, Lola Van, a 1974 Volkswagen T2 van transformed into a deluxe DJ booth, provides a groovy soundtrack in true zombie dance style.

Awards

The Gorilla, part of the festival's Official Fantastic Section, stands as its premier award, with winners chosen by an international jury. Categories include Best Feature-Length Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Special Effects, and Best Cinematography, among others. Additionally, the festival presents esteemed awards such as the José Luis Guarner Critics' Award, the Citizen Kane Award for Best Debut Feature, the Noves Visions Award, and the Carnet Jove Jury Award. Notable recognitions also include the Grand Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cinema, the Anima't Awards for Best Animated Short and Feature Film, the Màquina del Temps Award honoring figures in fantasy film, and the Midnight X-Treme Award for outstanding motion pictures from special screenings, selected by the Carnet Jove Jury.