Sections

Feature films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain, produced during the year prior to the current edition and with fantastic genre themes, understanding this concept in a broad sense, and always taking into consideration their quality and the creation of trends as a priority objective. 

This selection also includes a section for short films with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes and previously unreleased in Spain, which are eligible for the SOFC Best Short Film Award.

An out-of-competition showcase of fantastic-themed films, which stand out thanks to their unique approach among recent genre productions. These are films which would not participate in the competition, but are especially interesting for audiences due to their subject matter and/or the attending guests accompanying them, or the fact that they are part of a gala event. There are three main types:

• Galas: opening, closing or themed.
• Special Screenings: films programmed as part of tributes, spotlighted auteurs, wild cards, etc. They do not need to be premiering in Spain. In this category, the Festival also reserves the right to exceptionally program serialized productions.
• Surprise Screenings.

Films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain, produced during the year prior to the current edition and with fantastic genre themes, committed to experimentation, new languages and formats, and the hybridization of genres. 

The Festival reserves the right to exceptionally program films previously screened at another Spanish film festival outside the festival's official competition.

The Noves Visions section includes a category for short films made by students from Catalan universities and film schools, grouped under the name Nova Autoria.  These short films are selected (from a shortlist made by the participating universities and schools), in collaboration with the SGAE Foundation, through the SGAE Territorial Council in Catalonia.

Films of all nationalities, previously unreleased in Spain, produced during the year prior to the current edition and with fantastic and/or horror genre themes, and having an indie spirit. The Festival reserves the right to exceptionally program films previously screened at another Spanish film festival outside the festival's official competition.

A selection of independently produced feature films, documentaries and short films with horror and fantastic genre themes. The selected productions will be included in premieres, retrospectives, tributes and/or cult films. It is not necessary for them to be previously unreleased in Spain.

Animated feature films produced during the year prior to the current edition, and previously unreleased in Spain. The Festival reserves the right to exceptionally program films previously screened at another Spanish film festival outside the festival's official competition.

Anima't includes a section for short films produced during the year prior to the current edition and with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes. The selected short films must also be previously unreleased in Catalonia. The Selection Committee reserves the right to select advertising and promotional works or music videos as short films if they are considered to have sufficient artistic and cinematic value, as long as they are thematically related to the Festival's area of specialization.

A section programmed in collaboration with the Associació Catalana de Crítics i Escriptors Cinematogràfics (Catalan Association of Film Critics and Writers). It consists of seven screenings featuring fantastic genre films in their broadest sense, as well as other genres related to the Festival (thrillers, spaghetti westerns, etc.). 

This section revolves around non-current films (preferably at least fifteen years old) whose singularity sets them apart from the official canon of their genre's history. Accordingly, the intention is to highlight films of interest, which are worth discovering or revisiting, and which will be screened in their original format or with a restored copy. 

The didactic spirit of Seven Chances contemplates the programming of currently produced documentaries that deal with an outstanding figure or trend in genre filmmaking. The films selected for Seven Chances must be premieres in Catalonia (and preferably in Spain) at least for the screened version/copy.

A selection of non-fiction feature film productions, made during the year prior to the current edition, that are thematically related to the Festival's area of specialization.

This section includes the Festival's retrospective, specific tributes on the occasion of anniversaries and collaborations.

A selection of the best indie and most extreme horror movies. Competition is reserved for films produced during the year prior to the current edition, previously unreleased in Spain.

A selection of feature films from genres bordering on fantastic, including thrillers, suspense, martial arts, action, adventure, etc. They stand out for their unique approach and their audience appeal.

A selection of upcoming productions from all around the world.

A selection of feature films arriving in Sitges following an important previous run at other film festivals, and that represent some of the season's major fantastic genre hits.