Sitges Festival Returns: Star Guests, Grand Honors, and a Zombie Walk Reboot

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As Sitges Festival moves past the hardest years, it feels like a return to familiar, joyful rhythms. After two heavy periods, driven by the unwavering talent of its organizers and the passionate devotion of its fans, the festival is inching toward the level of normality last seen in 2019. Ticket sales reflect that optimism. To date, nearly 47,000 tickets have been purchased, a number the director highlighted as a milestone on the festival’s fiftieth anniversary journey. In 2018, the same event drew close to 68,000 attendees, a figure that remains a high-water mark and a reminder of the enduring appeal of Sitges, cinema that plays on the big screen, and the fearless spirit of genre storytelling that draws enthusiasts from all over.

Another sign of momentum is the lineup of genre stars who will be visiting to present films or receive awards. The roster had already promised appearances by notable artists such as Dario Argento, Eva Green, Peter Strickland, Quentin Dupieux, Edgar Wright, and Neil Marshall. It has now grown to include a celebrated group of names. Robert Englund, the actor best known for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger, joins Michel Hazanavicius, the Oscar-winning director of The Artist, among others. The charismatic Lee Jung-jae, famous for a widely acclaimed streaming hit, is set to attend Sitges to present his directorial debut, a political thriller titled Hunt. This next wave of guests underscores Sitges as a hub where influential cinema talents converge, celebrate, and engage with fans in a vibrant, cinematic conversation.

Industry experts in genre cinema are also anticipating another key moment: the visit of Colin Arthur, renowned for mastery in special effects and makeup. He will receive Sitges Grand Honor Award, a recognition of his enduring influence on creature design and practical effects. His body of work includes iconic prosthetics seen in acclaimed titles and memorable scenes that helped shape the look of fantasy and horror on screen. From a waxed humor of classic fantasy to the intense realism of modern creature work, Arthur’s contributions connect beloved film history with contemporary imagination. Additionally, Claudio Simonetti, leader of the Goblin collective, will be celebrated at Sitges for his pivotal role in shaping the score of genre cinema, including The Deep Red and Suspiria, and will accept the Méliès d’Or during the festival, highlighting the lasting power of music within terrifying and fantastical narratives.

Zombie Walk returns

After a necessary break caused by global health restrictions, the vibrant Zombie Walk makes its comeback to Sitges. The parade of fans in undead makeup and costumes is anticipated to grace the streets on October 8, renewing a beloved ritual that brings the festival community together in playful, imaginative fashion. This year the event is anchored by a special guest of honor, Michel Hazanavicius, who will visit to present an ambitious zombie-centric project, the big edition’s bold remake of a classic undead tale. The crowd can expect a lively blend of homage, humor, and horror that embodies Sitges as a celebration of genre film in all its forms, from suspenseful thrillers to outlandish spectacle and beyond. Weathered fans and new converts alike will find the parade an irresistible sign that Sitges remains a festival where communities unite around inventive storytelling and spectacle, in the heart of a city that knows how to celebrate cinema with flair and heart.

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