“While often overshadowed by Sitges in the European genre festival scene, MotelX is one of Europe’s best genre festivals, led by one of the most supportive programming teams,” states a panelist. Held in the gorgeous, yet Gothic-inflected Lisbon, MotelX has continued to establish itself as a mainstay player, and has been Portugal’s representative at the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation (EFFFF) for six years now, holding its own among the top dogs of Spain, Brussels, and Amsterdam. 110-plus films and 30-plus events unfold within the walls of the city’s iconic Cinema São Jorge theater and other venues. The winner of the fest’s Best Portuguese Horror Short competition nabs a cool €5,000 euros, a weekend hotel stay and a nomination for the EFFF’s international Méliès d’Or competition. And though it’s dubbed the “White City” for its sun-drenched vistas, MotelX’s home base really comes alive at night. Its buzzing bars, lounges and clubs are the perfect place to party off those post-horror-viewing jitters.
Roger Corman presenting his masterclass, moderated by Spoiler Alert, at MotelX 2017. Photograph courtesy of MotelX
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This article originally appears in MovieMaker’s 2018 Guide to Making Horror Movies, featured inside our Fall 2017 issue.
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Loved reading this, especially seeing Roger Corman, Larry Cohen(THE STUFF), Michael Moriarty(Q THE WINGED SERPENT), Adrienne Barbeau(ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) and more recognizable memorable greats in film. Thanks for sharing!
Who knew there are so many fests dedicated to horror. Excited to have these in my conscious reservoir to keep up with their output in the future.
I felt it could have had more members to the panel more diversity of people who head to the larger fests as well as the rest. Of course there will be interweaving festivals but this list primarily focuses on larger ones but does not include many of the fests who r in the mid part of the US among other things.
Don't get me wrong, I'm Not putting down what this article is and contains. For me, it's not a piece that shows festivals that are on the rise or in the tier below many of these. Have nothing but respect for panel and the writer. No doubt more incarnations to come ... ;)
Missing Nightmares FILM FEST!!!
Solid list, but missing the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival is a huuuuge oversight. One of the best genre film festivals in Europe since 1983! One of the few festivals I've been to worldwide that truly has unique, internal festival culture. Really fosters a sense of community.
Other stuff worth mentioning includes:
Shockproof (Prague)
Next Fest (Los Angeles)
PUFF (Philadelphia)
Telluride Horror Show (Telluride, Colorado)
I feel like this is not a complete list of the best genre fests! some of these are all genre fest with a horror event thrown in. What about my favorite one Shriekfest? I've been submitting and involved with that fest for years now and they treat everyone great! The fest director is the best I've ever met!