Sitges Film Festival opens with anime premiere and controversy

The 59th edition of the Sitges Film Festival, the International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, has commenced in Sitges, Spain. The event features a diverse program, including a significant focus on Asian cinema.

One highlight of the festival is the world premiere of a new anime film directed by Shingo Natsume and distributed by Selecta Visión. The film explores themes of individuality, society, and the necessity of death in a future where labor is no longer required. Natsume attended the session to participate in a Q&A with the audience.

However, the festival's opening has been marked by controversy regarding press accreditation policies. Many veteran journalists and specialized local media outlets reported being denied passes, leading to accusations that the organization is prioritizing generalist content creators over established film press. Additionally, attendees reported technical issues with the ticket pre-sale system, specifically regarding the validation of fan packs and seat reservations.