The FIPILI Horror Festival will celebrate its 13th edition this year, presenting films dedicated to horror and fantasy themes in cinema and literature, focusing on fear in all its forms, as reflected in the diverse selection of directors and guest speakers. From October 9 to 13, the event will showcase over 60 films, including short and feature-length movies from 13 different countries. Primarily held in Livorno, the festival includes special screenings in Florence and Pisa as part of the “FIPILI Horror Festival – On the Road” additional event. Beyond film screenings, attendees can expect meetings with acclaimed filmmakers, book presentations, and other interesting activities.
The festival features a mix of Italian and international films, with countries like Australia, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Argentina, and the Netherlands also represented. All films will have Italian subtitles. Foreign attendees, however, won’t have any trouble enjoying movies from English-speaking countries.
There will be five films in English, both short and full-length, screened at two cultural venues in Livorno: Cinema Teatro 4 Mori (Via Pietro Tacca 16) and Cinema La Gran Guardia (Via del Giglio 18). The first film, which will be shown on October 10 (Thursday, 7:30 pm at Cinema 4 Mori), is titled I Saw the TV Glow. It was directed by Jane Schoenbrun, and one of its producers is Emma Stone alongside her husband. The film tells the story of a boy whose life changes when his classmate introduces him to a strange late-night TV show that offers a glimpse into a hidden supernatural realm beneath their everyday world. On the next day (October 11, Friday 11:30 pm), in the same cinema, there will be a screening of Australian film Late Night with the Devil. Blending elements of “found footage” and documentary-style filmmaking, the movie captures the events of a Halloween night in 1977, during a late-night talk show episode. In a bid to improve the show’s ratings, the host brings on a girl who is supposedly possessed. Tickets for both films cost €3,50.
On October 13 (Sunday, 10:30 pm, Cinema 4 Mori), there will be a screening of the cult classic film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre from 1974, known as one of the first slasher films. It is a special 50th anniversary screening, and the movie will be introduced by critic Pier Maria Bocchi. The event costs €8, with breakfast included in the price. On the same day, festival attendees can watch short films at Cinema La Gran Guardia at 3:30 pm. The event program includes, among others, the American production Howl If You Love Me (USA). All of them are competing in the 2024 Short Film Competition, and the categories are: Horror, Thriller, Weird, and International.
Additionally, at 10 pm at Cinema 4 Mori, the film Cuckoo (starring Hunter Schafer) will be shown, preceded by a discussion with critic Gianluca Pelleschi. It tells the story of Gretchen, a 17-year-old American girl, who joins her father and his new family at a luxurious resort in the German Alps. As Gretchen explores her new home, she becomes increasingly unsettled by strange sounds and disturbing visions. Her sense of unease grows as she uncovers a dark secret that threatens the safety of her family and everyone at the resort.
For Italian speakers, the highlight of the festival may be the presentation of the restored version of the iconic film Opera by legendary screenwriter Franco Ferrin and director Dario Argento, who has also worked on films like Once Upon a Time in America by Sergio Leone. Ferrin will be the guest of honor at the festival’s opening night on Wednesday, October 9, at 9 pm (Cinema Teatro 4 Mori). Another noteworthy event is the tribute to the master of American cinema, Roger Corman. The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 10, at 5:30 pm (Cinema Gran Guardia), featuring Federico Frusciante’s discussion on “B movies” and low-budget genre cinema.
The only screenings that will take place outside of Livorno, are in Florence and Pisa, for the special event “FIPILI Horror Festival – On the Road.” The first stop will be in Pisa, on Saturday October 12, at 6 pm (Cinema Arsenale Pisa), which will be a screening of movie Young Frankenstein in collaboration with the Internet Festival 2024. The admission is free. The event continues on Sunday, October 13, at 9 pm, at Cinema La Compagnia in Florence. It’s dedicated to the restored version of Dellamorte Dellamorte (in Italian, without English subtitles) directed by Michele Soavi, in celebration of the film’s 30th anniversary. Full price for tickets are €6, and reduced price is €5, with”Firenze al Cinema” membership card: €3. (Paulina Juzak)
More information about the FIPILI Horror Festival can be found on website: https://www.fipilihorrorfestival.it/.
