The International Festival of Fantastic and Horror Arts, known as 'Algeciras Fantástika', will be held from 9 to 14 November, showcasing its growth and solidifying its status as a unique cultural event in the city. This year's main highlight is the addition of theatre to the programme, broadening an already diverse range of activities that includes significant cinematic, literary, and artistic components.
Pilar Pintor, the Deputy Mayor for Culture, participated in the presentation of this year's event, emphasising the festival's evolution and its increasing prestige in both national and international spheres. Alongside Pintor were Marusa Arias de Molina, representing the University of Cádiz (UCA), and Ángel Martínez, the festival director, who was supported by much of his organising team.
The event also served as the launch for the book 'Memoria de Algeciras Fantástika 2025', which compiles key highlights, notable moments, and award winners, including the winning micro-stories from the previous edition. Pintor praised the passion and dedication of Ángel Gómez and his team, whose efforts ensure that each edition marks a significant advancement. She also highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration that makes this project possible, co-organised by the Algeciras City Council and the University of Cádiz under the direction of Ángel Gómez.
Theatre and diverse activities
The incorporation of theatre is one of the festival's key innovations this year. On Wednesday, 11 November, the José María Sánchez Verdú Municipal School of Music, Dance and Theatre will host a performance of 'El pacto', a two-act play based on a story of the same name by Ángel Gómez Rivero. This addition aims to broaden the festival's horizons and reinforce its multidisciplinary character by incorporating new forms of expression into the realm of fantastic arts.
The programme will feature a wide array of activities across various locations in the city. Cinema will play a prominent role, with screenings of four finalist feature films: 'La mala madre' by Alicia Albares, 'Los que vienen' by Víctor Catalá, 'Only Child' by Bálint Szentgyörgyi, and 'The First Day' by Manu Pons Forcén. Additionally, there will be several sessions of finalist short films and the screening of 'Crawlers', directed by Ángel Gómez Hernández, as the closing feature.
Visual arts will also be represented, with exhibitions such as 'Terror en trazos' by José Carmona, dedicated to fantastic illustration, and 'Cartelístika', an illustrated review of film posters created by various local artists, which will be displayed at the Municipal Museum. The literary section will include the awards presentation for the children's contest 'Pequeños Místicos', a tribute to Arthur Conan Doyle, and the launch of the anthology 'La huella del Fantasma de la ópera'. This year's edition will also feature a segment dedicated to cinematic tributes.
Awards and closing gala
Actor David Rocha will receive recognition through the screening of 'El asesino de muñecas', while the closing gala, scheduled for Saturday, 14 November, at the Municipal Theatre Florida, will include the presentation of the Místicos de Honor awards to David Rocha, Melina Matthews, and William Miller, along with prizes for the winners of the various contests. The closing day will also feature a special performance by the Adagio Dance Studio and the screening of 'Crawlers', starring Melina Matthews and William Miller.
Pilar Pintor has encouraged both residents and visitors to participate in this new edition and enjoy a programme that, in her words, demonstrates that 'its capacity to surprise us knows no bounds'. She also expressed gratitude to the University of Cádiz, the organising team, artists, creators, and collaborators who make it possible for Algeciras Fantástika to continue growing and offering new opportunities to engage with culture and creativity for all audiences.
