Lisbon Blog

At the end of this summer, from 29 September to be exact, the Portuguese capital holds a film festival that pays tribute to the best international productions of horror and suspense films: the MotelX festival. During four days the most morbid and bloody film proposals you can imagine will be screened. They are guaranteed to shake even the most passionate terror fans to the bone.

The festival is divided into three sections: one called Room Service is dedicated to fiction; Doc Horror features documentaries on the terror genre and related issues and finally Film Shorts, which will screen only the most sinister and terrifying short films.

Since 2007, the festival directors annually invite directors already established the genre, such as Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator”) and John Landis (“American Werewolf in London”), without losing sight of young and experimental artists. MotelX serves as an important platform to publicize their work to a larger audience. Raving fans can find gore flicks, psychological horror films, monster movies, classic horror themes, etc. We can enjoy terror in all its forms, as well as get goosebumps at special screenings of classics and blockbusters from years past.

For all those truly hardcore fans the festival is also planning master classes in which renowned directors discuss their work and the most interesting features of the genre. The programming is not closed yet, so check the website so as not to miss any details and get up to speed on the list of films to be screened in the beautiful Sao Jorge theatre. If you are a young amateur filmmaker and want a chance to get the crowd of spectators shivering, do not miss this opportunity! You have until July 31 to send your proposal to the festival committee for possible screening during the festival. After tearing out your hair in fear, rent apartments in Lisbon to have a safe place to go back to. Get ready for a few days filled with the finest sinister terror.