Updated Jun 21 2023
Popularly known as Sitges Film Festival and whose official name is the International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, it is one of the most important and renowned film festivals held not only in Europe but in the rest of the world. This annual festival, as its name suggests, is held in Sitges, a beautiful coastal town in the province of Barcelona and barely 40km from the city of Barcelona.
The first year of the Sitges Film Festival took place in 1968 under the name of the 1st International Week of Fantasy and Horror Film. Since then, many things have changed about the Festival. Although fortunately, many other things have remained the same, such as the fact that its venue has always been the town of Sitges as well as its specific theme, always centred on the Fantastic and/or Horror genre.
Today, the great professionalism shown by the organisation over the years, coupled with the excellent list of stars that participate each year, the original and attractive parallel activities that are organised and the large and passionate audience that attends, have made the Sitges Film Festival an essential international event within the celluloid world.
Sitges Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia 2023
Like every year, the 2023 edition of the Sitges Film Festival is packed with many horror films and, above all, from the fantasy and science fiction genres.
Also, and in order to preserve the festival’s cheerful and somewhat rogue-like spirit, a wide variety of activities of all kinds will liven up the atmosphere and entertain attendees and, in particular, the festival’s diehard fans. Here we offer you information and several interesting facts about this year’s festival.
Dates, official programme and details
Dates: from 5th to 15th October 2023.
Where: various locations in Sitges (info below).
Times: films are shown throughout the day (day and evening)..
€ Price: variable.
2023 program: Official program.
Programme and sections of the Sitges 2023 Film Festival
If there is one iconic and much-anticipated event by all horror film fans during the Sitges Film Festival, it is without a doubt, the Zombie Walk.
This is a parade of zombies who walk through the streets of Sitges, creating a unique and terrifying atmosphere. Everyone can participate and the only thing you need is a good zombie costume and makeup as well as plenty of enthusiasm to enjoy walking as, or being passed by, something scary.
To be confirmed
12pm to 7pm (free makeup on Sant Sebastià beach) to be confirmed
8pm (the parade starts) por confirmar
11pm (concert at New Ricky’s) por confirmar
Festival Film sections
Official Fantastic Selection
Official Fantastic Discovery
Special Screening
Òrbita
Noves visions
Panorama Fantàstic
Anima’t
Seven Chances
Midnight X-Treme
Brigadoon
Sitges Classics (retrospectivas y homenajes)
Serial Sitges
Slatix Sitges Cocoon
Sitges Coming Soon
Sitges Film Festival venues
Melià Hotel
Auditorium Room
El Retiro Cinema
Prado Cinema
Brigadoon – L’Escorxador
Tramuntana
Sant Sebastià Beach
Palau de MariCel
Movistar Space
La Fregata beach
Jardí Hort Can Falç (garden)
Edifici Miramar (building)
Sitges is one of the most touristic coastal towns in the province of Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia. And it is that, in this charming town, the great leisure activities available; beaches and coves, bars, restaurants and clubs, trails and walks to enjoy hiking and bicycle routes, is complemented with great cultural activities; Can Llopis Romantic Museum, MariCel Palace, MariCel Museum, modernist buildings, magnificent churches and hermitages, etc.
Undoubtedly, irBarcelona encourages you to, whenever you can, make a quick trip to Sitges, either during the periods considered high season (Carnival celebrations, the summer months and during the Film Festival itself) as in other periods of the year, when Sitges still keeps its charm and you can feel more relaxed to enjoy them.
The best accommodation in Sitges to enjoy the festival
How to get to Sitges from Barcelona?
By train (“Rodalies” Renfe)
Barcelona Stations: França Station | Passeig de Gràcia Station | Sants Station.
Sitges Station: Sitges.
Journey time: 32-50 minutes (varies according to the train station you depart from).
Price: €4.10 (single).
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By bus
Barcelona Stops: Rnd. Universidad, 33 | c/ Sepúlveda / c/ Urgel | Pl. Espanya.
Sitges Station: Sitges.
Journey time: About 50 minutes (varies depending on the number of stops).
Price: To be confirmed (single) | To be confirmed (return).
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By car
Journey time: 45 minutes (approximately).
Toll: Depending on the route chosen, you will have to pay a toll.
Where to park: in the centre of Sitges and nearby, the only way is to park the car in the blue zone (on the street) or in one of the private car parks (covered). If you go to a screening in the evening you will be able to park your car in the blue area without paying (more information on the blue zone in Sitges, here)