SITGES - Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya (59)

Фестиваль начинается: 08 Октябрь 2026      Фестиваль заканчивается: 18 Октябрь 2026

The SITGES - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia is a specialized, competitive fantastic genre Festival in accordance with the regulations established by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations). The Festival has also been declared a “Qualified Festival” by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® in the United States. This means that those shorts winning the awards for “Best Short Film” in the Official Fantàstic Selection and “Best Short Film” in the Anima’t category will automatically be taken into consideration by the Hollywood Academy Awards® selection committee.

See festival's Rules and regulations.

SUBMISSION RULES FOR FILM PRODUCTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE 59TH SITGES - INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL OF CATALONIA

IMPORTANT

These rules are subject to the official regulations of the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (Sitges Film Festival).

We ask that you please read the regulations carefully to understand the nature of each section and the essential requirements for participating in them.

The Sitges Film Festival is a film competition accredited by the FIAPF (The International Federation of Film Producers Associations).

The Festival is committed to filmmaking talent and the creative authorship of the pieces presented.

Film productions that are created entirely with artificial intelligence, or those in which artificial intelligence has been an essential element in their concept or artistic production, will not be accepted in any of the in-competition categories.

If you have any questions, please contact the Films Department.


I.SUBMISSION PROTOCOL:

To submit a film to the Festival and facilitate its viewing, please follow these instructions:

Submit the short or feature film via the official platform designated by the film competition:

festhome.com


FEATURE LENGTH FILMS may be submitted to the following categories:

a)Fiction feature film

b)Documentary feature film

c)Animated feature film

d)Brigadoon Section (feature films)

e)Sitges Family Section – family audiences (feature films)


SHORT FILMS may be submitted to the following categories:

a)Live action short films

b)Animated short films

c)Brigadoon Section (short film)

d)Sitges Family Section – family audiences (short films)

Notes on submitting short films to the Festival:

Only short films that comply with the following conditions will be considered:

All short films must be fantastic genre films produced in 2025/2026.

The maximum running time for short films is 30 minutes.

The short films submitted in the general categories will be eligible for being selected for the following sections (additional information in the official regulations):

Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection

The Festival's main in-competition section.
For this section, the film must have its European premiere.

The winning short film in this section automatically qualifies to be included in the shortlist of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood for consideration as a candidate for the Academy Awards®.

Noves Visions Petit Format Section

In-competition section featuring experimental or avant-garde works.
Competing films must be shorts previously unreleased in Spain.

Anima’t Section

Competitive section for animated short films.

The winning short film in this section automatically qualifies to be included in the shortlist of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood to compete for the Academy Awards®.

Brigadoon Section

Short films submitted to the Brigadoon Section are exclusively included in this section's selection.

Brigadoon features a selection of independent productions, focusing on horror and fantastic themes.

For a short film to be eligible for Brigadoon, it is not an essential requirement for it to be previously unreleased in Spain.

Sitges Family

Short films submitted to the Sitges Family Section are exclusively included in this section's selection.

Sitges Family - selects films aimed at family audiences and, specifically, focusing on an audience made up of children and young people.

Sitges Family is not an in-competition section.


Short films submitted in the general categories and in the Brigadoon or Sitges Family sections cannot be productions uploaded to the Internet or other platforms.

TEASERS/TRAILERS/SCENES can only be submitted to the Sitges Coming Soon category.

In this case, the maximum run time of submitted pieces must be 5 minutes.

Other considerations:

All films submitted in the general categories and the Brigadoon Section must include English subtitles (if the original version is in a language other than English).

Films submitted to the Sitges Family Section must necessarily be dubbed into Spanish or Catalan.

▪Projects that are still “works in progress” will be accepted.

This production status must be indicated at the time of submission by checking the appropriate box or by indicating it in parenthesis after the title.

▪DVDs / Blu-Rays will not be accepted.

Likewise, viewing links received outside the official platform will not be taken into consideration.

▪IMPORTANT: works will not be submitted based on the Festival's specific sections, except in the case of those wishing to participate in the Brigadoon or Sitges Family sections, which have their own requirements.

Participants in the general categories, if selected, will receive a communication indicating its assigned final section, as determined by the Programming Committee.

This Committee reserves the right to place the work in the section it deems most appropriate, independent of the submission category, if applicable.



II. ENTRY FEES & SUBMISSION DEADLINES

The Festival will charge an entry fee for each work submitted to the viewing platform.

This fee does not include any submission fees that the platform may apply.

The fees established for the 2026 edition are:

Early Bird Submission
(26/02 to 18/06)

Final Submission
(19/06 to 16/07)

FEATURE FILMS
(general categories, Brigadoon, Sitges Family and Sitges Coming Soon)

80 euros
90 euros

SHORT FILMS
(general categories, Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection and Brigadoon and Sitges Family sections)

60 euros
70 euros

Payment will be made at the time of submission via the platform.

In the event that you decide to cancel your participation in the Festival, the entry fee will not be refunded.

The Sitges Film Festival upholds an agreement policy with film promotion organizations and/or academic institutions throughout the world.

The Festival only grants waivers via these organizations and institutions.

To apply for a waiver, please contact the organizations and institutions in your country and submit your request directly to them.

No films will be accepted after the official submission deadline on July 16th, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (CET).


III. FILM SELECTION FOR THE SITGES FILM FESTIVAL

The Sitges Film Festival will contact the producers/distributors of the selected films, and they will need to complete an additional form (the entry form) to formalize their participation in the film competition.

This communication will take place, at the very latest, on September 1st, 2026.

In the event of not having been selected, the submission platform will send an automatic notification on September 1st, 2026, for all those films that have formalized their submission via this channel.


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REGULATIONS FOR THE 59TH SITGES - INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL OF CATALONIA

THE FESTIVAL

The Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (Sitges Film Festival) is a competitive festival specializing in fantastic genre films, in accordance with the regulations established by the FIAPF (The International Federation of Film Producers Associations).

The Festival has also been declared a “Qualifying Festival” by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood for the Academy Awards®. This means that those short films chosen as winners of the “Best Short Film” award in the Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection and the “Best Short Film” award in the Anima't category are automatically qualified to be included in the shortlist of the Academy Awards®.

The Festival is committed to filmmaking talent and the creative authorship of the pieces presented. Film productions that are created entirely with artificial intelligence, or those in which artificial intelligence has been an essential element in their concept or artistic production, will not be accepted in any of the in-competition categories. If you have any questions, please contact the Films Department.


I. SECTIONS
The Sitges Film Festival consists of the following sections:

1.1. IN-COMPETITION SECTIONS

1.1.1 Official Fantàstic In Competition Selection
1.1.2 Official Fantàstic - Sitges Collection Section
1.1.3 Anima’t
1.1.4 Brigadoon
1.1.5 Midnight X-Treme
1.1.6 Noves Visions
1.1.7 Òrbita
1.1.8 Panorama
1.1.9 Sitges Documenta


1.2. OUT-OF-COMPETITION SECTIONS
1.2.1 Special Screenings
1.2.2 Seven Chances
1.2.3 Sitges Clàssics
1.2.4 Sitges Family – family audiences


1.3 INDUSTRY-RELATED SECTIONS
1.3.1 Sitges Coming Soon


1.1 IN-COMPETITION SECTIONS

1.1.1. OFFICIAL FANTÀSTIC IN COMPETITION
SELECTION

Feature Film Selection

The Official Fantastic In-Competition Selection (SOFC) is the Festival's main competitive section and presents a selection of the very best in fantastic genre films, as understood in the broadest sense. The selection process prioritizes artistic quality, innovative capacity, and the creation of new trends in genre cinema.

World and international premieres will be given preference in the selection process for the Official Fantastic In-Competition Selection. Likewise, feature films that meet all of the following conditions will be eligible for submission:

•Have a minimum runtime of 60 minutes.

•Have been produced during the 12 months prior to the Festival's opening date.

•Not have been publicly screened or broadcast via streaming platforms operating in European territory, except in cases of strictly professional use, with restricted access and for promotional or pre-selection purposes.

•Films produced or co-produced outside Spain may have participated in festivals recognized by the FIAPF in the “competitive festivals” category, except those in Spanish territory.

•Spanish co-productions will be subject to the same criteria.

Films produced entirely in Spain that compete in the Official Fantastic In-Competition Selection must be world premieres, without exception. These works may not have been previously screened at any festival, either nationally or internationally, nor may they have been released, exhibited, or publicly broadcast prior to the Festival dates.

Feature films of all nationalities are eligible to compete, provided they meet the requirements set out in these regulations.

The Festival's Programming Department reserves the right, on an exceptional basis, to admit productions that, even if they do not strictly meet all of the above requirements, are of particular artistic or cultural interest to the Official Fantastic In-Competition Selection.

The Official Fantastic In-Competition Selection is a competitive section with an international jury, chosen by the Festival's Programming committee. This jury will present the following awards:

▪Best Feature Film
▪Special Jury Award
▪Best Director
▪Best Actress
▪Best Actor
▪Best Screenplay
▪Best Cinematography
▪Best Special, Visual or Makeup Effects
▪Best Music

Other awards in the Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection are:

-The Grand People's Choice Award for best fantastic genre feature film, as voted for by audiences.

-The José Luis Guarner Critics' Award, presented by a jury appointed by the Catalan Association of Film Critics and Writers for the best feature film. This organization also presents the Citizen Kane Award for Best New Director, an award for which all those directors presenting their debut film at the Festival in the Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection are eligible.


Short Film Selection

The Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection also includes a selection of short films, which also complies with the criteria of quality and trend setting as a priority objective.

Likewise, productions of all nationalities can compete, provided they are unreleased in
Europe and have been produced between 2025 and 2026. The maximum run time for participating short films is 30 minutes.

The winning short film is automatically qualified to be included in the Hollywood Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences shortlist to compete for the Academy Awards®.

1.1.2. OFFICIAL FANTÀSTIC - SITGES COLLECTION SECTION

This section includes a series of special screenings, as part of the Official Fantàstic Section, of those productions that are of special interest to audiences due to their subject matter and/or the attending guests accompanying them. Priority will be given to national premieres. This is an in-competition section, and the winner is decided by audiences' votes.

1.1.3. ANIMA’T
In-Competition section that includes films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain and produced between 2025 and 2026. The Festival's Programming Committee reserves the right to exceptionally program films previously screened at another Spanish film festival but not included in the official competition of said festival.

Anima't includes a competitive category for short films produced between 2025 and 2026, which must have a maximum run time of 30 minutes. The participating shorts must be previously unreleased in Catalonia.

The Programming Committee reserves the right to select advertising, promotional or music video-type works as short films if they are considered to have sufficient artistic and cinematic value, provided that they are thematically related to the Festival's specialization.

The Anima't Section's jury will present the following awards: the award for Best Animated Short Film (this production is automatically entitled to enter the shortlist of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood to compete for the Academy Awards®) and the award for Best Animated Feature Film.

1.1.4. BRIGADOON
A selection of fantastic and horror genre feature films, short films, and documentaries.

The section includes new releases, retrospectives, tributes, and/or cult films. A jury presents the Brigadoon Paul Naschy award for the section's Best Fantastic Genre Short Film.


1.1.5. MIDNIGHT X-TREME
A selection of the best independent horror movies. The competition includes films produced between 2025 and 2026. This is an in-competition section, and an award is presented to the best fiction feature film chosen by audiences' vote.

1.1.6. NOVES VISIONS
In-Competition section that includes films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain and produced between 2025 and 2026. It features fantastic genre films that are committed to experimentation, new languages and formats and genre hybridization.

The Festival's Programming Committee reserves the right to exceptionally program films previously screened at another Spanish film festival but not included in the official competition of said festival.

This section's awards are for Best Feature Film and Best Director. There is also an award for Best Short Film in the Noves Visions Petit Format section.

This section contains a subsection for short films by students from Catalan film schools, grouped under the name Nova Autoria. The selected shorts (from a shortlist made by the participating schools), in collaboration with the SGAE, compete for the awards for Best Screenplay, Best Directing and Best Music.

1.1.7. ORBITA
In-Competition section including films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain and produced between 2025 and 2026. It includes films from genres closely related to fantastic genre including thrillers, action films, adventure films, and black comedies.

The Festival's Programming Committee reserves the right to exceptionally program films previously screened at another Spanish film festival.

1.1.8. PANORAMA
In-Competition section including films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain and produced between 2025 and 2026. The films must belong to the fantastic and/or horror genres and be independent productions. The award is given based on audiences' votes.
The Festival's Programming Committee reserves the right to exceptionally program films previously screened at another Spanish film festival.

1.1.9. SITGES DOCUMENTA
In-Competition section including films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain and produced between 2025 and 2026, that are thematically related to the Festival's area of specialization.

1.2. OUT-OF-COMPETITION SECTIONS

1.2.1. SPECIAL SCREENINGS
This section includes screenings that are part of a gala ceremony or accompanying an event (anniversary, tribute, etc.). There are three main types:

o Galas: Opening, Closing, or themed.
o Special Screenings.
o Surprise Screening.

1.2.2 SEVEN CHANCES
Section programmed in collaboration with the Catalan Association of Film Critics and Writers (ACCEC). It consists of seven screenings focused on fantastic genre filmmaking in its broadest sense, as well as on other genres related to the Festival (thrillers, spaghetti westerns, Wu Xia, etc.).

The section aims to showcase films of interest which are worth discovering or rediscovering, and which will be screened in their original format or with a restored print.

1.2.3 SITGES CLÀSSICS
This section includes productions that are part of the Festival's Retrospective, commemorative tributes, anniversaries, and/or collaborations.

1.2.4. SITGES FAMILY (family audiences)
A selection of productions geared towards children and young people and designed to be enjoyed as a family. Sitges Family offers a selection of films that are important for film literacy and highlights productions offering the potential for social transformation and dealing with issues that are committed to important values. This section is out-of-competition. The Programming Committee reserves the right to include films in the Sitges Family lineup that are also featured in other sections but share the same focus on children and young people.


1.3 INDUSTRY-RELATED SECTIONS

1.3.1 SITGES COMING SOON A selection of upcoming feature film releases from around the world. These productions must be in the final stages of post-production. It is mandatory to submit a teaser/trailer/sequence of no more than 5 minutes.

II. CROSS-SECTIONAL AWARDS AND LABELS

2.I. Focus Àsia Award
All films produced by Asian companies and included in any of the Festival's sections are eligible for this award, provided that their subject matter pertains to popular genres (thriller, action, fantastic). The assessment of these criteria is the sole responsibility of the Festival's Programming Committee.
Animated films are not included. The productions must be previously unreleased in Spain. The award is given based on audiences' votes.

2.2. Méliès d’Argent Awards
Awards presented to the best European fantastic genre feature and short films included in any of the Festival's sections and as nominated by the Programming Committee. The winning feature film and short film will go forward to compete for the Méliès d'Or Awards, organized by the MIFF (Méliès International Festivals Federation).

2.3. Blood Window Award
All films produced in Latin America and included in any of the Festival's sections are eligible for this award, provided that their subject matter pertains to the fantastic genre. The assessment of these criteria is reserved for the Festival's Programming Committee.


III. OFFICIAL PARTICIPATION PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF BEING SELECTED

3.1. The production company or distributor of the selected films will receive the entry form and a proposal from the Programming Committee for approval.

The production or distribution company agrees to complete and send the entry form to the Festival before August 6th, 2026.

In the event that the Festival is required to share the print with other festivals, this should be specified on the entry form, along with the availability of the print during the dates of the 59th Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.

3.2. The company providing the film must also deliver high-quality publicity material to the Festival: photographs, posters, press packs, trailers, etc., so that the Festival can promote the film appropriately. The Festival reserves the right to not return these materials.

3.3. In the event that the film needs to be subtitled, the company providing the film must supply the necessary material: reference link, DVD or Blu-Ray and list of dialogues and/or subtitles. The Festival will not return this material, which will be destroyed once the Festival has ended.

If the film is distributed in Spain, the distribution company must provide the Festival with a subtitled original version screening print.

Films participating in Sitges Family must necessarily have Spanish and/or Catalan subtitles or be dubbed into these languages.

3.4. The screening formats for the selected works will be:
Feature length films included in the Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection, Special Screenings, Òrbita, Noves Visions, Sitges Documenta, Panorama, Anima’t, Seven Chances, Midnight X-Treme, and Sitges Clàssics:

-35 mm
-DCP on physical media (hard drive) or digital transfer. In the event that they are encrypted, the Festival will not cover the costs of generating DKDMs or KDMs.
If the distributor and/or representing company does not have a DCP of the selected production, the Festival can provide the contact details of a production service that will be in charge of creating the DCP at the expense of the distributor and/or representing company.
Short films included in the Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection, Noves Visions Petit Format, and Anima’t sections:
- Unencrypted DCP
- HD quality digital file (.mov)
Feature films and short films included in the Brigadoon section:
- HD quality digital file (.mov) or DVD/Blu-Ray
Pieces included in the Sitges Coming Soon, Sitges Family and Nova Autoria sections:
- HD quality digital file (.mov)

3.5. Transport costs arising from the shipment of screening prints will be paid by the Festival, except in the event that the print must be sent to another film festival. In this case, the other festival will pay for transportation from the Sitges Film Festival's address to the other specified address. The Festival will not cover the costs of sending or returning trailers or teasers.

3.6. In the event of providing a screening print on a hard drive, the Festival commits to returning this copy as soon as possible, no later than 20 days after the end of the film competition. The Festival organization commits to deleting all screening materials received in digital format once the current edition has ended.

3.7. In the event that the copy is damaged as a result of its screening at the Festival, the owner must inform the Festival within one month’s time, starting from the date the print is returned.

The Festival's liability will not exceed the cost specified on the entry form by the company providing the film.

3.8. The Festival Organization will decide each film's screening dates and times. No film, included in any of the Festival's sections, will be screened more than 5 times, including the press screening, without the owner's prior consent.

3.9. Regarding the recording of film clips for use on television programs, the Festival will comply with the regulations established in the FIAPF rules & regulations for competitive specialized festivals.

3.10. The Festival accepts all FIAPF rules & regulations for competitive specialized festivals.

3.11. Participation in the Festival implies full acceptance of all the rules and regulations herein.

3.12. Any issue or dispute arising during the course of the Festival that is not covered under these rules and regulations will be settled by the Festival Organization in accordance with international regulations.

3.13. The Festival does not award cash prizes.
However, the prizes and awards presented by the Festival may benefit from sponsorship and financial contributions that the Festival's sponsors decide to award to the directors or distribution companies of the winning feature films and short films.

In this regard, starting with the 58th edition of the Festival in 2025, SEAT, SA, in order to promote the “CUPRA” brand, is expected to award the company responsible for distributing the feature film that wins the “Best Film” award in Spain the sum of €20,000.

In accordance with the sponsorship agreement signed, this amount will be delivered directly by the Festival to the aforementioned distribution company, which will be obliged to distribute the award-winning feature film within Spain, in accordance with the specifications included in the ANNEX.

The grant amount includes all applicable taxes, as well as any other expenses or charges arising from its awarding and delivery, and therefore the winning company may not claim any additional amount for this concept.

The grant will be paid by bank transfer to the account designated by the winning company within a maximum period of 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the corresponding invoice, duly approved and validated in accordance with the instructions set out in the ANNEX.

The beneficiary company agrees to comply with all tax and legal obligations arising from the receipt of this amount, exempting the FOUNDATION from any liability that may arise in relation to the fulfillment of these obligations.


ANNEX

CUPRA GRANT – SITGES, INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL OF CATALONIA
GRANT FOR THE DISTRIBUTION IN CINEMAS OF THE WINNER OF THE BEST FILM IN THE OFFICIAL FANTASTIC SELECTION, FEATURE FILM CATEGORY

1.Purpose
The Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia adds to its list of awards the Cupra Grant for the distribution in Spanish commercial theaters (commercial film exhibition) of the feature film selected as the best film competing in the Official Fantastic In-Competition Selection (), feature film category.

This distribution grant is intended to encourage or support the premiere in Spanish theaters of the winning film selected by the Official Jury of SOFC each edition.

2. Amount
The grant will carry a cash prize of twenty thousand euros (€20,000).

The entire amount must be used to cover the costs of the premiere and distribution in movie theaters in Spain.

The grant money will be awarded to the distribution company that undertakes the premiere of the work, upon presentation of the distribution contract for movie theaters. In the absence of a distributor, the amount may be received by the production company that owns the rights, provided that it formally commits to guaranteeing the premiere under the conditions set forth in this ANNEX.

3. Definition of Film Distribution
For the purposes of this grant, film distribution will be understood as all activities related to the release and exploitation in commercial theaters in Spain, including, among others:

a) Formalization of a distribution contract with an authorized company in Spain or direct undertaking by the production company.

b) Creation of digital cinema packages (DCPs) and associated advertising materials.

c) Theatrical release campaign, including promotional and advertising activities.

d) Dubbing, subtitling, and technical adaptation costs necessary for the film's screening.

Mere broadcast on television, digital platforms, or at festivals is excluded, except as a complement to its theatrical release.

4. Film Requirements
Feature films selected for the Official Fantàstic In-Competition Selection (Feature Films) will be eligible for the grant, regardless of whether or not they have a distribution contract in Spain.
The Festival may request documentation from the owners to substantiate this circumstance.

5. Obligations of the Beneficiary

1. The winning film must premiere in movie theaters in Spain within a maximum period of twelve (12) months from the Festival's closing date.

2. The beneficiary of the grant must include the following specific reference in all promotional and advertising materials and copies for screening:
“Cupra Grant – Sitges, International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia", together with the corresponding logos.

3. Within a maximum period of six (6) months after the premiere, the beneficiary must submit a supporting report to the Festival, accompanied by invoices or documents proving the use of the grant for distribution purposes.

4. The beneficiary agrees to provide one free screening, attended by at least one representative of the film, for screening at Casa Seat Barcelona and Cupra's City Garage in Madrid.

6. Acceptance
Acceptance of the grant implies full compliance with the provisions of this ANNEX, which is an integral part of the Festival's General Rules.

7. Invoicing
The company awarded the grant must issue a duly certified invoice, in accordance with current tax regulations, which must include at least the following information:

• Full identification of the issuing company, including company name, tax identification number, tax address, and contact details.
• Identification of the SITGES FOUNDATION, INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF CATALONIA as the recipient, including its company name, tax identification number, and tax address.
• Clear and detailed description of the concept, expressly indicating that it corresponds to the grant money for the “Best Film” award, also specifying the title of the winning film, within the framework of the 59th edition of SITGES - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.
• Total amount of twenty thousand euros (€20,000), detailing the applicable taxes duly itemized.
• Date of issue and invoice number.
• The invoice must be sent in PDF format by email to the following address: administracio@sitgesfilmfestival.com. The payment period will begin once the invoice has been correctly received and validated by the Foundation.
• If the invoice contains errors or omissions, the Foundation will notify the issuing company so that it can be amended. In this event, the payment period will begin from the date of receipt of the corrected and validated invoice.