Sitges Fantastic Film Festival 2025 – Sitges, Catalonia, Spain

Background and History

Founded in 1968 as the International Week of Fantasy and Horror Movies, the Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia is the world’s leading fantastic film festival, renowned for its media and industry impact. Held annually in Sitges, a picturesque coastal town, it showcases horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and avant-garde cinema, attracting filmmakers, stars like Quentin Tarantino and Jodie Foster, and fans.

A member of the FIAPF and a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards®, Sitges awards short films in fiction and animation for Oscar consideration. The 2025 edition, the 58th, continues its legacy of celebrating genre cinema with a focus on humor in horror.

Theme and Focus

The 2025 festival, themed around the “joy of laughing with horror films,” explores humor as a catalyst for subverting fears and redefining fantastic cinema. Curated to blend contemporary genre films with historical tributes, it features sections like Official Fantàstic Selection, Noves Visions (avant-garde), and Anima’t (animation), fostering innovation and cultural dialogue.

Event Highlights

The 58th Sitges Film Festival, held October 9–19, 2025, offers a vibrant program:

• Opening Film: Alpha by Julia Ducournau (Titane, Raw), a high-profile premiere.
• Official Fantàstic Selection: Competitive section for feature films, previously unreleased in Spain, vying for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor awards.
• Noves Visions: Avant-garde and experimental cinema, including films like Nightmare Bugs and Tamala 2030 (2025 titles TBD).
• Anima’t: Expanded animation showcase with anime (ChaO, All You Need is Kill), restored classics (Angel’s Egg), and premieres.
• Brigadoon Section: Free screenings of daring genre films at Sala Llevant (Hotel Meliá).
• Puglia Show: Short films by Apulian filmmakers, competing for awards.
• Sitges Family: Family-friendly films and shorts.
• Sitges Coming Soon: Teasers and trailers for upcoming releases (max 10 minutes).
• Zombie Walk: October 11, 2025, a festive parade in Sitges’ streets.
• Foodtastic Area: Food trucks on Balmins Avenue offering diverse cuisines.
• Meeting Area: Outdoor leisure with live music, podcasts, and photocalls at Ermita de Sant Sebastià.
• Fanshop: Merchandise (t-shirts, books, gadgets) at San Sebastià beach.

Awards

• Best Film: Awarded in the Official Fantàstic Selection.
• Best Director: Recognizing directorial excellence.
• Best Actor/Actress: For standout performances.
• Best Short Film (Official Fantàstic): Oscar-qualifying award.
• Best Short Film (Anima’t): Oscar-qualifying for animated shorts.
• Special Jury Award: For unique contributions.
• Noves Visions Award: For experimental films.
• Brigadoon Award: For independent horror/fantasy shorts.
• Sitges Family Award: For family-oriented films.
• Méliès d’Argent: Presented by the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation.

Dates and Duration

• Dates: October 9–19, 2025
• Duration: 11 days
• Submission Deadline: July 17, 2025 (via www.filmfreeway.com)

Main Address

• Primary Venue: Hotel Meliá Sitges, Joan Salvat Papasseit, 38, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, Spain (Auditorium and Sala Tramuntana for screenings).

All Venues

• Hotel Meliá Sitges: Joan Salvat Papasseit, 38, 08870 Sitges (Auditorium: 1,380 seats; Sala Tramuntana: 400 seats; Sala Llevant 1+2: Brigadoon free screenings).
• Cinema Casino Prado: Francesc Gumà, 6-14, 08870 Sitges (Noves Visions, Anima’t, Seven Chances, night marathons).
• Escorxador – Centre Cultural: Torrent Pleta, 1, 08870 Sitges (renovated multipurpose space for screenings).
• Saló Blau, Palau Maricel: Carrer de Fonollar, 17, 08870 Sitges (select events).
• Biblioteca Roig i Raventós: Plaça de Catalunya, 08870 Sitges (cultural events, talks).
• Foodtastic Area: Balmins Avenue with Ramon Planas, 08870 Sitges (food trucks, 12:00–24:00).
• Meeting Area: Avinguda Balmins, 21, Ermita de Sant Sebastià, 08870 Sitges (outdoor leisure, music, podcasts).
• Fanshop: Carrer de Pont Alegre, San Sebastià beach, 08870 Sitges (merchandise, 10:00–23:30).

Contact Information

• Administrative Office: Sant Honorat, 32-34, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, Spain
• Phone: +34 938 94 99 90, +34 671 552 188
• Email: festival@sitgesfilmfestival.com
• Website: www.sitgesfilmfestival.com
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/sitgesfilmfestival
  • Twitter: www.twitter.com/sitgesfestival
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitgesfestival
  • YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/SitgesFilmFestival
• Tourist Info: www.visitsitges.com

Ticket Information

• Pricing (1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD, 2025 pricing TBD):
  • Single Screening: ~€5–€10 ($5.50–$11, estimated based on prior years).
  • Matinée Pass: €126 ($138.60, access to daytime screenings).
  • Auditori Pass: €310 ($341, access to Auditorium screenings).
  • Daily Pass: ~€20–€30 ($22–$33, estimated).
  • Festival Pass: ~€100–€150 ($110–$165, estimated for full access).
  • Brigadoon Screenings: Free at Sala Llevant.
  • Group Discounts: Available for 10+ people (~€3–€5/$3.30–$5.50 per ticket, TBD).
  • Accredited Guests: Industry/press passes via application (www.sitgesfilmfestival.com).
• Purchase Information:
  • Online: www.sitgesfilmfestival.com (Tickets section, expected September 2025).
  • On-Site: Hotel Meliá Sitges box office (Joan Salvat Papasseit, 38).
  • Notes: Matinée and Auditorium passes may sell out; check availability early. Free events (e.g., Brigadoon, Zombie Walk) require no tickets.

Cultural Experience

Sitges, a vibrant seaside town, transforms into a global hub for fantastic cinema during the festival. Visitors are immersed in horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films at historic venues like Cinema Casino Prado and modern spaces like Hotel Meliá Sitges. The Zombie Walk (October 11) adds a playful, communal vibe, while the Foodtastic Area and Meeting Area offer culinary and social experiences by the sea. The festival’s focus on humor in horror, paired with Sitges’ Mediterranean charm, creates a unique blend of cinematic and cultural immersion.

Food and Drinks

• Paella: Seafood or mixed (~$16.50). Try at El Cable (Carrer de Barcelona, 1, 08870 Sitges).
• Tapas: Small plates (~$3.30–$7.70). At La Nansa (Carrer de Joan Tarrida, 23, 08870 Sitges).
• Cava: Catalan sparkling wine (~$5.50/glass). At El Celler Vell (Carrer de Sant Josep, 12, 08870 Sitges).
• Xató: Local salad with cod (~$11). At Restaurant Pic Nic (Passeig Marítim, 1, 08870 Sitges).
• Crema Catalana: Dessert (~$5.50). At La Fragata (Passeig de la Ribera, 1, 08870 Sitges). Visit the Foodtastic Area (Balmins Avenue) for diverse food truck options, including vegan and vegetarian.

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Sitges Family section offers screenings for children and families. Zombie Walk (October 11) is free and open to all ages. Kids under 12 may get discounts (TBD).
• Accessibility: Hotel Meliá Sitges and Cinema Casino Prado are wheelchair-accessible. Escorxador – Centre Cultural has modern accessibility features. Contact festival@sitgesfilmfestival.com for accommodations. Sitges’ cobblestone streets may pose challenges; plan routes via modern areas.

Getting There

• By Air: Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN, 30 km, ~$33 taxi or $5.50 Monbus to Sitges). From Terminal 1 (T1), take Monbus (25 min, $5.50, 6:50–23:50). From Terminal 2 (T2), shuttle to T1 (10–15 min, free).
• By Train: From Barcelona, Renfe R2 Sud from Sants Station to Sitges (40 min, $4.40). Special festival train at 1:30 AM (October 9–19, Sitges to Barcelona). From BCN Airport, take R2 Nord to El Prat de Llobregat, transfer to R2 Sud to Sitges (50 min, $5.50).
• By Bus: Monbus from Barcelona (Plaça Espanya or Plaça Universitat) to Sitges (Can Robert Park, 45 min, $4.40).
• By Car: AP-7 or C-32 to Sitges. Park near Can Robert (~$2.20–$5.50/day). Note ZTL restrictions in Sitges center.
• On Foot: Venues are walkable; Hotel Meliá Sitges to Cinema Casino Prado is 10 minutes. Meeting and Foodtastic areas are along the seafront.

Program Overview

• October 9–19, 2025:
  • Opening Ceremony: October 9, featuring Alpha by Julia Ducournau.
  • Official Fantàstic Selection: Competitive feature films at Hotel Meliá Sitges.
  • Noves Visions: Avant-garde films at Cinema Casino Prado.
  • Anima’t: Animation screenings, including anime and restored classics.
  • Brigadoon: Free horror/fantasy screenings at Sala Llevant.
  • Sitges Family: Family-friendly films at select venues.
  • Zombie Walk: October 11, public parade in Sitges streets.
  • Closing Ceremony: October 19, awards and closing film (TBD).

Notable Features

• Opening Film: Alpha sets a bold tone for 2025.
• Zombie Walk: A fan-favorite, interactive street event.
• Anima’t Expansion: Record number of animated films, including anime premieres.
• Oscar-Qualifying: Short film awards enhance global prestige.
• Foodtastic and Meeting Areas: Social hubs with food, music, and fan activities.

Accommodation Tips

• Hotel Calipolis: Passeig Marítim, 20-30, 08870 Sitges (~$88–$165/night), near Meliá.
• Hotel Medium Sitges Park: Carrer de Jesús, 16, 08870 Sitges (~$66–$132/night), central.
• Camping El Garrofer: Ctra. C-246a, Km 39, 08870 Sitges (~$33–$66/night), budget-friendly. Book early for October, as Sitges fills up. Check www.visitsitges.com for packages.

Planning Assistance

• Recommendations: Start with Alpha on October 9 at Hotel Meliá. Attend Noves Visions for experimental films or Anima’t for animation fans. Join the Zombie Walk (October 11, free). Visit the Foodtastic Area for meals between screenings.
• Navigating Tickets: Buy Matinée (€126/$138.60) or Auditori (€310/$341) passes online (www.sitgesfilmfestival.com) for the best value. Free Brigadoon screenings require no tickets. Monitor pass availability, as some sell out.
• Exploring Sitges: Visit Platja de Sant Sebastià or Maricel Museum (5-minute walk from venues). Enjoy tapas at La Nansa post-screening.
• Tips: Dress for mild October weather (~18°C/64°F). Arrive early for popular screenings and the Zombie Walk. Check www.sitgesfilmfestival.com for 2025 program updates.