The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, a globally renowned event for fantasy and horror cinema, has announced an expanded animation lineup for its 2025 edition, set to run from October 9 to 19. Headlining the “Anima’t” section are the highly anticipated ChaO by Yasuhiro Aoki and a special 4K restoration of Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic Angel’s Egg.
The Expanded Anima’t Section: A Global Showcase
Sitges 2025 is set to significantly broaden its “Anima’t” section, solidifying its position as Spain’s leading platform for animated works. This year’s program aims to treat animation not merely as a genre, but as a versatile cinematic language capable of exploring diverse and imaginative storytelling within the fantastic realm. The festival’s artistic director, Ángel Sala, along with Mònica Garcia i Massagué and Jordi Sànchez-Navarro, revealed the robust additions to the lineup, emphasizing animation’s “capital protagonism” at the event.
Beyond ChaO and Angel’s Egg, the “Anima’t” section will feature a global array of productions. Notable titles include Rogério Nunes’ Heart of Darkness, Emma Hough Hobbs & Leela Varghese’s Lesbian Space Princess, Aria Covamonas’s The Great History of Western Philosophy, Kenichiro Akimoto’s All You Need is Kill, Tommy Kai Chung Ng’s Another World, Ugo Bienvenu’s Arco, and Alberto Vázquez’s Decorado, which will have its domestic premiere at the festival. The section will also include works like Lauris and Raitis Abele’s Dog of God, Heinrich Sabl’s stop-motion Memory Hotel, and the Japanese films Nightmare Bugs by Osamu Fukutani & Saku Sakamoto, and Tamala 2030: A Punk Cat in Dark by t.o.L.
Spotlight on Key Animated Features
ChaO
Yasuhiro Aoki’s ChaO is one of the new Japanese animated visions that will be featured in the “Anima’t” section. While specific plot details remain under wraps, its inclusion underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing contemporary and cutting-edge animation from around the world.
Angel’s Egg (4K Restoration)
A significant highlight for classic animation enthusiasts will be the 4K restoration of Mamoru Oshii’s 1985 cult masterpiece, Angel’s Egg. This surreal and visually distinctive film, known for its philosophical depth and haunting atmosphere, will be presented as part of the “Anima’t / Sitges Clàssics” subsection, offering a chance for both new and long-time fans to experience the film in stunning clarity. The inclusion of Angel’s Egg and József Gémes’s 1989 Willy the Sparrow, along with a retrospective on Italian master Bruno Bozzetto, further emphasizes the festival’s dedication to honoring animated classics.
Sitges: A Hub for Fantastic Cinema
The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, founded in 1968, is held annually in the coastal town of Sitges, Catalonia, Spain. It has established itself as one of the world’s foremost international festivals focusing on fantasy and horror films, becoming a significant cultural event in Catalonia. The festival is not just about film screenings; it transforms the entire town into an immersive experience of cinema and related activities, including events like the “Zombie Walk.”
The festival’s main venue is the Auditorium at Hotel Melià Sitges, which hosts eagerly anticipated screenings and red carpet events. Beyond animation, the festival’s “Noves Visions” section will also explore experimental and avant-garde works, including films with AI-generated scripts and hybrid formats, demonstrating Sitges’ role in anticipating new narratives in fantastic cinema.
The 58th edition of the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival promises to be a pivotal event for exploring trends and formats within the fantastic genre, with its expanded animation and experimental sections leading the charge.
