The Italian Horror Fantasy Fest 2025, the prestigious festival dedicated to horror and fantasy cinema, is pleased to announce its launch press conference, scheduled for Saturday, 6 September 2025, at 6:00 PM at Etiopia Lab, an official partner venue of the Festival (Viale Etiopia 79, Rome).

Created and directed by Luigi Pastore—producer, director, and founder of Lu.Pa. Film—the Festival has become a landmark for Italian and international genre cinema, with the mission of enhancing and renewing a cinematic heritage that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

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THE CLAIM AND THE PHILOSOPHY

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In line with its cultural mission, the Festival has always paired its editions with social awareness campaigns, addressing crucial issues such as femicide, environmental pollution, responsible drinking, and bullying.

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With the claim “We like fake blood and Star Wars – not real ones” IHFF25 reaffirms its firm stance against real-life violence and horrors, promoting a cinematic art form that uses the fantastic as a vehicle for narrative and imaginative exploration.

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THE PRESS CONFERENCE – 6 SEPTEMBER ​

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The evening at Etiopia Lab will feature a sneak preview of the Festival’s official promo, directed by Luigi Parisi, a filmmaker well known to television audiences for hit dramas such as Il Bello delle Donne, Il peccato e la vergogna, Sangue caldo, and L’Onore e il Rispetto. The promo stars Mihaela Anisoara, a Romanian-born actress and rising star of genre cinema.

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Also attending will be director and special effects wizard Sergio Stivaletti, creator of the Festival’s logo and its award: a work of art depicting a silver dragon spreading its wings over Méliès’ iconic moon, immortalizing the famous scene of the projectile spacecraft, resting on a crystal base. Together, these elements embody the icons of horror and fantasy cinema that IHFF celebrates and elevates.

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Another highlight of this edition is the collaboration with Black Mandala, the renowned New Zealand distributor, which will present the European premiere of a film destined to deliver strong emotions, including an exclusive trailer preview.

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The Festival also renews its partnership with Flat Parioli, one of Italy’s leading production companies specializing in genre cinema. The collaboration includes the world premiere of the new film directed by Dario Germani, one of the most prolific filmmakers of the new generation, who continues the legacy of Italian genre cinema and will attend the event in person.

This partnership also introduces the "Flat Parioli Award", dedicated to the filmmaker who has most distinguished themselves in innovating the grammar of their genre. In addition to a plaque, the prize includes full coverage of video post-production costs—provided by Flat Parioli’s state-of-the-art labs—for a future project directed by the award winner.

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This year’s edition is also supported by exceptional partners: Cooperativa Radio Taxi 3570, featured in the promo and ensuring guest logistics; Chin8 Neri, the Festival’s official beverage, offered free to the public; the Profondo Rosso Store and Dario Argento’s Museum of Horrors, long-time partners of the event, alongside the artistic consultancy of director Luigi Cozzi; and finally, Divina Hairdresser and Galimbertissima, providing high-fashion hairstyling and costumes.

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The press conference will be enriched by the presence of several prestigious Festival guests and an exhibition of works from the traveling show “Bloody Movies,” created by artist Luca Musk and curated by Daniele Luxardo, paying homage to the aesthetics and tradition of Italian horror cinema. The evening will conclude with a rooftop aperitif, complete with complimentary gifts for attendees.

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THE NOVEMBER EVENT

 

The eighth edition of the Italian Horror Fantasy Fest, strongly supported by Hon. Fabrizio Santori, Councilor of Roma Capitale, will take place on 1 November 2025, during the heart of the Halloween season, at Rome’s Casa del Cinema—made available thanks to the patronage of Fondazione Cinema per Roma, the Lazio Region, and the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale.

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“I wish to thank Hon. Fabrizio Santori for his concrete support and the closeness he has always shown to the Festival,” declared Pastore, “and, in particular, the Department of Culture of Roma Capitale for their sensitivity toward this event and for recognizing the importance of a project that is not based on glorifying horror and violence, but rather on the art and culture this genre has spread worldwide.”

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The event, free and open to the public, will be hosted by actor and director Paolo Ruffini and will feature an international competition of films and short films, whose distinguished jury will be announced in October at the official press conference in the Campidoglio, where the complete program will also be unveiled.

For the competition call and full regulations, please refer to the Festival’s official website and social media channels.

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Official Website:
www.ihff.it | www.italianhorrorfantasyfest.it

 

Facebook:
facebook.com/italianhorrorfantasyfest

 

Instagram:
instagram.com/ihff_official

 

WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaO5tuh8qIzvM0BOGk1