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The Sitges Film Festival is one of the leading international film festivals in the world, specializing in fantasy and horror films. This festival started in 1968 and takes place every year in the small coastal town of Sitges at the beginning of October. 

This year will be the 58th edition of the Sitges Film Festival, which will take place from October 9th to 19th.

Where is Sitges? 

Sitges is a beautiful villagecoastal town located about 35 km from Barcelona. You’ve probably heard of Sitges and its famous Carnival, one of the most anticipated festivals in Europe. This colorful parade is another event you can’t miss, and it takes place on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.

Sitges is also known for its beautiful beaches, its laid-back atmosphere and excellent seafront restaurants. The town is also packed with charming boutiques and lively cafés, making it the perfect day trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona. 

What is the Sitges Film Festival? 

If you’re a movie lover, you can’t miss the Sitges Film Festival. There, you can discover the latest trends and technologies applied to cinema and audiovisual media. During the festival days, everyone dresses in their best costumes to enjoy the cinema and culture. You can expect to see Halloween costumes, horror movie outfits, and all kinds of fantasy attire. 

Every year, everyone is invited to submit a film. There will be films competing for the “Best Film” award in the Official Fantastic Competition Section and the “Best Short Film” in the Anima’t category, which will be automatically preselected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood to compete for the Oscar® awards. A great opportunity to showcase your talent! Keep this in mind for next year’s film festival. 

Where is it held? 

The main venue of the Sitges Film Festival is the Auditorium, located at the Hotel Melià Sitges.

However, you can also enjoy the cinema at the Tramuntana Room, Cinema Casino Prado, at the Escorxador, at the Centre Cultural, and at the Llevant Room inside the Hotel Melià Sitges. Additionally, just like last year, the Foodtastic Area will be present, offering a variety of food options. Numerous outdoor spaces will feature live music, podcasts, and other artistic performances, along with an area dedicated to children to ensure families feel welcome. 

Sitges Film Festival 2025

Once the festival concludes, the award ceremony will take place, with categories ranging from “Best Film,” “Best Animated Short Film,” “Best Ibero-American Production Film,” “Best Female Performance,” and “Best Male Performance,” among others. These awards will be selected by an international jury, covering everything from the best feature film to the best directors, actors, screenwriters, and many more.

The program can be found on the official website of the Sitges Film Festival, where you can also see the activities taking place throughout the city, and you can buy tickets!

For more information about Sitges, check out our blog on exploring Sitges in one day.

Accommodation 

Staying in Sitges during the film festival can be difficult due to the large number of people wanting to attend. Therefore, it is a good idea to book accommodation in Barcelona.