A series of Halloween horror screenings is coming to Spain’s cinemas, organized around popular film festivals and dedicated venues in Alicante, Valencia, and Elche. The schedule features a selection of short and feature-length works designed to thrill fans of the genre. From late October through the end of November, audiences will be able to catch showings at Kinepolis in Alicante and at Babel cinemas in Valencia, with additional events in Elche organized by local partners. Tickets are modestly priced, with entrances around 5 euros and sessions lasting roughly 80 minutes.
The Maniatic Film Festival has become a seasonal tradition for horror enthusiasts in the region. This year marks the third edition of a fruitful collaboration that has consistently delivered memorable nights for genre lovers. The Alicante festival continues to pair the local film community with international and national short films, bringing the festival experience into public spaces and cinemas across the city. The organizers emphasize that Halloween energy and a shared love of fright keep this event lively each year. [Citation: Maniatic Film Festival]
Valencia plays host to screenings at Babel Cinemas from November 21 to 26, expanding the festival footprint beyond the Valencia province. This collaboration is celebrated as a unique opportunity to introduce Maniatic to new audiences and to showcase rising talents in horror storytelling. [Citation: Maniatic Film Festival]
Predicted shorts under consideration for this year include a vivid array of horror micro-narratives that push familiar themes into fresh territory:
A Father’s Day by Matt Johns follows a father navigating a ruined world as he tries to make the day meaningful for his daughter, even as the living and the dead blur together. The film invites viewers to reflect on duty, memory, and connection when every moment could be the last. A still from the short will be exhibited in Kinepolis and serves as a visual anchor for the program.
French short Acid by Philippot traps the audience inside a growing pall of fear as a strange cloud moves across a Western landscape, triggering a cascade of panic as society reels at a strange, unknowable threat. Spanish short Backgoverning by Angel Gomez Hernandez explores a tense, intimate mystery centered on a mother who fears losing her child to a past relationship.
Into the Mud, directed by Paul Shepherd, charts the awakening of a young woman who finds herself naked and disoriented in a forest. Her confusion gives way to a dangerous encounter with a fisherman who stands in the way of escape, turning discovery into peril.
Light by Iago de Soto follows a small coastal village in the 19th century as residents prepare for a night of quiet tradition called La Tregua. A single rule governs the night: no lights may be left on—an atmospheric premise that quickly spirals into unease. A minute by Michael Mayor centers on a disturbing Skype call that transforms a routine morning into a life-altering nightmare for a young couple.
The program closes with The Little One by Danilo Beckovic, a thriller about how a teenager’s phone, their constant companion, can become a gateway to danger even amid a looming zombie apocalypse. Monster Day by Álex de la Iglesia is highlighted for its enduring appeal and clever twists, promising a memorable capstone to the session. [Citation: Maniatic Film Festival]
Beast Day unfolds in Elche, where L’Aljub Shopping Center partners with the Elche International Independent Film Festival (Ficie) and local institutions to stage Halloween celebrations and film premieres. On Monday, October 31, attendees are invited to revisit the remastered Monster Day in 4K, twenty-five years after its original release. The evening includes a red carpet, a behind-the-scenes photo interview, and surprise elements, along with a brief chat featuring a principal figure from Ficie. Manuel Tallafe is noted in event materials for coordinating the program. A photography session and autograph opportunity are scheduled around 19:30, followed by the film screening at 20:30. During the screening, additional moments of surprise will heighten the experience, culminating in a post-film colloquium at 22:30 with the actor and festival director to discuss the movie and its legacy. These events are designed to offer a rich, communal Halloween night that blends cinema with live interaction. [Citation: Ficie and L’Aljub Collaboration]