Spain Film Festival Recommendations: The International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia

The website for the Sitges Film Festival


Sitges NEVER disappoints (Photo Credit: Cindy)


My friends and I celebrated the scariest month of the year, in the most suitable manner, watching the famous Sitges Zombie Walk.  The International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia took me back to Sitges last weekend. Starting in 1968 this international film festival has continued to be successful year after year. Becoming the number one fantasy film festival in the world grants the company of famous movie stars, directors and producers. This year Nicolas Cage received an award along with an emotional Tilda Swinton and many more. My friends and I started the day off with one objective, seeing the Zombie Walk. After moseying around Sitges for an hour, we stumbled upon a free screening of a documentary focused on the creation of horror films. Not holding our attention for long, we left the theater in search for tickets to one of the main movie screenings. Unfortunately, some movies were already sold out, therefore I advise planning in advance if you ever attend. Thankfully, tickets were available to a screening of Piercing at the Hotel Melia Sitges. This hotel and the surrounding area are the nuclei to the film festival, holding press conferences, home of the organization’s offices, and the main auditorium with a capacity of 1,384. Piercing shook my emotions like a maraca in a mariachi band. Described as a horror thriller, Piercing did not change my disliking for horror movies, but I have much more respect for the genre after experiencing this film festival. Once the movie ended, we enjoyed a relaxing meal at Reves which was recommended by an elderly couple on our first trip to Sitges. The noodle seafood paella did not disappoint. After a late lunch, we ventured back to the free film theater and watched 3 short films, the most memorable film being The Itch.


Zombie Runners! (PC: Cindy)

Earlier in the day, people from all over waited in line for hours to receive a professional face painting. The face painters transformed the faces of hundreds into Zombies for the Sitges Zombie walk. Our group helped line the streets for the zombies to follow. The art, the scares, and the people made this day trip well worth it! If you are studying abroad in Spain during the fall semester or visiting in October, don’t miss The International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia!


People brought their own pain too! (PC: Cindy)



In the main auditorium (PC: Cindy)
 



Stay Woke.




Adéu







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