One of the world’s foremost places to see all fantasy, sci-fi and scary (or terrifying) films is just over a week away: the 51st annual Sitges Film Festival. And the event has already sold 41,000 tickets.
Running from 4-17 October, everything is set for this gathering of professionals and aficionados, kicking off with a new version of the new 1977 Dario Argento classic, Suspiria, reimagined by Luca Guadagnino.
‘The most powerful programme of fantasy films’
Festival director Àngel Sala announced that the 41,000 tickets sold show a pattern similar to previous years, keeping in mind that there will be almost no screenings on Saturday due to a concert by John Carpenter.
Yet Sala has high hopes for the festival. ‘It has the most powerful programme of fantasy films in the world – in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Catalonia as well,’ he proclaimed.
Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris set to attend
And cult composer, filmmaker, and screenwriter John Carpenter won’t be the only big name in Sitges this fall. Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris are both set to attend, as the two world-class actors were announced to accept the Grand Honorary Award, alongside the already confirmed Peter Weir.
The same prize was also previously awarded to names like Susan Sarandon and Oliver Stone, in 2017 and 2016 respectively.
Tribute to the role of women
The 2018 edition of the film fest is also set to pay tribute to the role of women in the world of cinema. To receive awards for their work in the field are blaxploitation starlet and Tarantino muse Pam Greer, horror pulp actress and acrobat Helga Liné, and feminist personality and cult diva Traci Lords.
The festival also wants to acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of giants – or rather, of monoliths – when it comes to the works themselves. On its 2018 poster, it pays tribute this year Kubrik’s classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, which this year, turns half a century old.
