European Fantastic Film Festival – Strasbourg 2025

Background & History

The Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival (Festival Européen du Film Fantastique de Strasbourg – FEFFS), founded in 2008 by Les Films du Spectre, is one of France’s premier events dedicated to genre cinema, including fantasy, horror, science fiction, thrillers, and animation. Evolving from the Spectre Film Festival (2005), it has grown into a major platform, attracting 26,000 attendees annually. As a member of the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation, it awards the prestigious Silver Méliès, qualifying winners for the Golden Méliès at Sitges.

The festival is subsidized by regional authorities, boasting a sevenfold increase in visitors since its inception. It offers a vibrant mix of international premieres, retrospectives, and side events, fostering cultural exchange and supporting emerging filmmakers. The 2025 edition, the 18th, emphasizes dystopian themes through its FasciFiction retrospective, reflecting on authoritarianism and freedom.

Event Highlights

Over 100 films, including features, shorts, and VR experiences, are screened across competitive and non-competitive sections. Key highlights include:

• International Fantastic Film Competition for new sci-fi, fantasy, and horror films, competing for the Golden Octopus.
• Crossovers Competition for thrillers, action films, and black comedies, awarding the Crossovers Grand Prix.
• International Animated Film Competition, with the Golden Stork for best animated feature.
• Silver Méliès Competition for the best European fantastic feature and short films, with winners advancing to the Golden Méliès in Sitges.
• FasciFiction retrospective featuring dystopian classics like Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm, Starship Troopers, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
• Eurogenre professional meetings (September 29–October 1) for undistributed films, pitching sessions, and script residencies.
• Non-competitive sections: Midnight Movies (horror and gore), Special Screenings (documentaries and tributes), and VR Film Corner (VR, AR, 360° video).
• Side events: one of Europe’s largest Zombie Walks (3,500+ participants), masterclasses, children’s workshops, exhibitions, and the Fantastic Village.
• Awards: Golden Octopus, Silver Méliès, Audience Award, Crossovers Grand Prix, Golden Stork, Jury Special Mention, Student Jury Prize, Best Animated Short, and Best Short Film Made-in-France.
• Free events: masterclasses, some screenings, and roundtable discussions.

Daily Program

The full 2025 program will be announced in September on strasbourgfestival.com, with initial titles revealed in August. Based on historical patterns and announced details:

• Friday, September 26: Opening ceremony at UGC Ciné Cité (7:00 PM, $11-$13), followed by a premiere screening. International Competition begins at Star Saint-Exupéry (8:00 PM, $7-$12).
• Saturday, September 27: FasciFiction retrospective at Cinéma Star (2:00 PM–9:00 PM, $7-$12). Children’s workshops at Le Village (10:00 AM, free). Crossovers Competition at Vox (6:00 PM, $7-$12).
• Sunday, September 28: Silver Méliès screenings at Star Saint-Exupéry (3:00 PM–10:00 PM, $7-$12). Zombie Walk at Place Saint-Thomas (4:00 PM, free). Masterclass at Vox (5:00 PM, free).
• Monday, September 29: Eurogenre Day 1 at Vox (10:00 AM, professional screenings). Animated Film Competition at Star (2:00 PM–8:00 PM, $7-$12). Fantastic Village activities (12:00 PM–6:00 PM, free).
• Tuesday, September 30: Eurogenre pitching session and roundtable at Vox (9:00 AM–5:00 PM). Midnight Movies at UGC Ciné Cité (10:00 PM, $7-$12). Short film screenings at Star (3:00 PM, $7).
• Wednesday, October 1: Eurogenre Sofilm residencies and short film pitches at Vox (10:00 AM). International Competition at Star Saint-Exupéry (2:00 PM–9:00 PM, $7-$12). Evening party at Vox (8:00 PM, free for Eurogenre attendees).
• Thursday, October 2: VR Film Corner at Le Village (1:00 PM–6:00 PM, $7). FasciFiction screenings at Cinéma Star (3:00 PM–9:00 PM, $7-$12). Children’s screenings at Vox (2:00 PM, $3-$5).
• Friday, October 3: Silver Méliès short film screenings at Star (1:00 PM–7:00 PM, $7). Masterclass with a guest director at UGC Ciné Cité (6:00 PM, free). Fantastic Village events (12:00 PM, free).
• Saturday, October 4: Crossovers and Animated Film Competitions at Vox and Star (2:00 PM–10:00 PM, $7-$12). Exhibition at Le Village (10:00 AM–6:00 PM, free). Audience Award voting closes.
• Sunday, October 5: Awards ceremony at UGC Ciné Cité (7:00 PM, $11-$13), followed by a closing film. Final screenings at Star Saint-Exupéry and Vox (1:00 PM–6:00 PM, $7-$12).

Date & Duration

Dates: September 26–October 5, 2025
Duration: 10 days

Venue / Location

City: Strasbourg, France
Main Venues:

• Cinéma Star Saint-Exupéry, 18 rue du 22-Novembre, Strasbourg (Tram B, F: Alt Winmarïk or A, B, C, D, F: Homme de Fer)
• Cinéma Star, 27 rue du Jeu-des-Enfants, Strasbourg (Tram B, F: Alt Winmarïk or A, B, C, D, F: Homme de Fer)
• Cinéma Vox, 17 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, Strasbourg (Tram A, D: Langstross Grand’Rue)
• UGC Ciné Cité, 25 avenue du Rhin, Strasbourg (Tram A, D: Étoile-Bourse or C, E: Winston Churchill)
• Le Village, Place Saint-Thomas, Strasbourg (Tram A, D: Langstross Grand’Rue)
  Events span Strasbourg’s historic city center, with screenings and activities in modern and traditional venues, enhancing the festival’s cultural ambiance.

Contact Information

Phone: +33 9 52 83 73 88
Email: com@strasbourgfestival.com
Website: strasbourgfestival.com
Social Media: TikTok (tiktok.com/@fantasticstras), Instagram (instagram.com/fantasticstras/), X (x.com/fantasticstras)

Ticket Information

While 2025 prices are not yet confirmed, based on past editions:

• Standard Screening: $7-$12 (approx. €6-€10)
• Discounted (students, seniors): $5-$8
• Children’s Screenings: $3-$5
• Festival Pass (unlimited screenings): $50-$80 (estimated)
• Ceremonies (opening/closing): $11-$13
  Tickets are available online via strasbourgfestival.com (from August/September) or on-site at Le Village. Early-bird passes and student discounts are typically offered. Free events include masterclasses, the Zombie Walk, and Fantastic Village activities. Check the website for updates.

Cultural Experience

The festival immerses attendees in genre cinema, blending global and European perspectives through dystopian classics, cutting-edge horror, and innovative animation. The FasciFiction retrospective critiques authoritarianism, while side events like the Zombie Walk and Fantastic Village create a festive, inclusive atmosphere. Masterclasses and Eurogenre meetings connect fans with filmmakers, fostering dialogue on genre trends. Strasbourg’s historic setting, with its half-timbered houses and Rhine River backdrop, enhances the experience, offering a blend of cinematic thrills and cultural exploration.

Food & Drinks

Strasbourg’s culinary scene complements the festival with Alsatian specialties near venues: choucroute garnie, tarte flambée, and Riesling wines. Le Village may host food stalls with local treats like pretzels, Munster cheese, and Black Forest cake. Nearby restaurants in the city center offer French-German fusion dishes, such as baeckeoffe or spaetzle. Cafes around Place Kléber serve coffee, pastries, and apéritifs, perfect for festival breaks. Some events, like the Eurogenre party, may include themed cocktails or snacks.

Family & Accessibility

Family-friendly with children’s screenings and workshops (ages 4-12) at Le Village, often free or $3-$5. The Zombie Walk is a fun, all-ages event. Major venues like UGC Ciné Cité are wheelchair-accessible, but historic cinemas (e.g., Cinéma Star) may have stairs or cobblestone access. Contact com@strasbourgfestival.com for accommodations. The festival promotes inclusivity with free events and student programs, engaging diverse audiences.

Getting There

• Airports: Strasbourg Airport (SXB) is 6 miles from the city center (15-minute drive). Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH) is 80 miles away (1-hour drive or train).
• Public Transport: Strasbourg’s CTS network offers trams (Lines A, B, C, D, F) and buses, with key stops like Homme de Fer and Langstross Grand’Rue. Tickets via cts-strasbourg.eu. Trains from Paris (Gare de l’Est) to Strasbourg take 1.5-2 hours via SNCF.
• Driving: Parking at Parc de l’Étoile or Place Kléber; use A35 for regional access. Limited parking in the city center—opt for public lots.
• Recommendations: Stay near Grande Île for walkable access to venues. Book transport via sncf-connect.com or cts-strasbourg.eu.

Economic Impact

The festival attracts 26,000 attendees, boosting Strasbourg’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Screenings across four cinemas and events like the Zombie Walk drive revenue for local businesses, from restaurants to hotels. Eurogenre and Produire au Sud workshops support the regional film industry, backed by the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg and Grand Est Region, fostering international co-productions and cultural exchange.