Sitges 2026

Motivation: “Amid horror and existential dread, our chosen film stands out for its celebration of empathy and acceptance of those different from ourselves. For the outstanding performances of Domhnall Gleeson, Gayle Rankin and Grant O’Rourke; for a mise-en-scène that lets us feel the cold and solitude of the landscape; and for reminding us that fantastic cinema can use myth to speak about the real world with warmth and critical intelligence, we award the first FIPRESCI Prize at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival to The Incomer – a film that left us with something increasingly rare: hope”.

Founded in 1968, the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia was the first film festival in the world created specifically to celebrate fantastic cinema and remains its most prestigious international event. A pioneer in recognizing fantasy, horror, science fiction and other forms of genre filmmaking as a distinct cultural and artistic field. Today, the festival serves as the foremost international meeting point for filmmakers, critics, scholars, industry professionals and audiences dedicated to the genre, presenting an extensive program of competitions, world premieres, retrospectives, exhibitions, educational initiatives and industry activities. Our jury of three members (one Spanish and two international) will award the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film in the Official Fantastic Competition, recognizing the most outstanding feature in the festival’s main competitive section.