The Sitges Film Festival, a renowned global event celebrating fantasy, horror, and science fiction, is scheduled to take place from October 9-19, 2025. This year's festival will focus on the intersection of comedy and fear within fantastic cinema, transforming the coastal town of Sitges, near Barcelona, into a hub for cinephiles. The festival, which began in 1968, holds the distinction of being the world's first fantasy film festival.
Opening the festival is Julia Ducournau's latest film, "Alpha." Ducournau, acclaimed for "Raw" and "Titane," marks her third appearance at Sitges with this film, which previously garnered attention at the Cannes Film Festival. "Alpha" opening the festival is a notable event, as it is only the third time in the festival's history that a film directed by a woman has been chosen to open the proceedings.
In recognition of female talent in the genre, the festival is introducing the inaugural Josefina Molina Award for Best Fantastic Feature Screenplay by a Woman. This award comes with a €10,000 prize and aims to support and encourage female screenwriters in the fantastic genre, honoring the legacy of filmmaker Josefina Molina.
Fans of Stephen King will have several adaptations to anticipate. "IT: Welcome to Derry," a prequel series to the "IT" films, is set to premiere on HBO Max on October 26, 2025, exploring the origins of Pennywise in 1962. Additionally, director Mike Flanagan is adapting another Stephen King novel for Amazon Prime Video, adding to his acclaimed work in the horror genre.
The Sitges Film Festival has a long history of launching genre films and filmmakers, significantly influencing the landscape of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy cinema. Its continued success is attributed to its curated film selections and its role in fostering a community for creators and enthusiasts, adapting to the evolving film industry.