News Release: 'Save Yourselves!' withdrawn from Sitges 2020's official competition
The Sitges-International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia announces that it is withdrawing the film Save Yourselves! from the Festival's official competition due to its premiere yesterday, October 6th, on several national VOD platforms under the name of ¡Desconectados! Our rules and regulations stipulate that the Spanish premiere of all selected films is a mandatory requirement to participate in the Festival's Official Selection. In accordance with this regulation, the premiere of Save Yourselves! precludes the film from participating in the film competition.
Negotiations regarding the participation of Save Yourselves! in the Festival were closed in late July with the film's international representative. At no time has Sitges IFFFC received any notification concerning the film's sale in Spain on national VOD platforms, and much less any plans for its release on these platforms.
Given the dates that the Festival has learned of the release of Save Yourselves! on these platforms, the Sitges IFFFC will still be programming the film, but has removed it from competition, in order to favor a cinematic experience above all else and because of the fans' desire to be able to see it on the big screen as opposed to on a home-based platform. In any event, out of respect and consideration for Its audience, the Sitges IFFFC will address any complaints from everyone who has purchased a ticket for any of the three scheduled Save Yourselves! screenings.
We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may have caused.