MotelX horror film festival celebrates 20th anniversary in Lisbon

The MotelX international horror film festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Lisbon. The 11-day event, running from September 3 to 13, features more than 170 films from 40 different countries.

Screenings are held at venues including Cinema São Jorge and Cinemateca Portuguesa. The festival's program includes international competitions for the Méliès d’Argent award for Best European Feature Film, with contenders such as Carlos Conceição’s ‘Bodyhackers’ and films starring Gael García Bernal and Monica Bellucci.

Founded from a private film club, the festival has expanded significantly over two decades. While traditional midnight screenings have seen shifts in attendance patterns, the festival continues to showcase a diverse range of global genre milestones, spanning from classic horror to contemporary international productions.