International Film Festival Celebrates B-Movie Culture in Sueca

Today marks the launch of the 13th edition of the International Festival of B-Movies in Sueca (CIM), a lively hub for fans of low-budget films, gore, trash, and underground productions. Over five days, the Centre Municipal Bernat i Baldoví will transform into a gathering place for those who appreciate irreverent cinematic offerings. The festival runs until Sunday, September 27, with more than 20 hours of eclectic programming.

This year's lineup features 80 selected films, including 12 feature-length works from over 20 countries. Staying true to its original mission, the CIM aims to spotlight movies made with limited resources, where creativity often shines through. The curated selections encompass a mix of B-movie genres, horror, science fiction, animation, and experimental films that typically elude conventional cinematic circuits.

“These are films made on shoestring budgets,” explains Josep Lledó, one of the festival's organizers. He describes the CIM as a celebration of “trash, gore, underground, and fringe cinema.” According to Lledó, these films prioritize creativity over technical prowess, which he sees as a key attraction for the audiences arriving each year in Sueca.

What sets CIM apart is its emphasis on audience engagement during screenings. Instead of hushed silence, attendees are encouraged to react openly—screaming, clapping, and commenting throughout the show. “Audience members yell at the screen, cheer, and sometimes hurl mild expletives,” says Lledó. “We break the fourth wall, the fifth wall, and whatever walls come after that.”

The sessions will also include live commentary and creative subtitles. Festival participants can take the mic to improvise over the visuals, and some films will feature “freestyle” subtitles. This approach aims to transform the viewing experience into a communal event rather than a mere film showing.

This year introduces a film bingo game, allowing viewers to interact even more with the cinematic experience. Participants can mark off typical scenarios from B-movie fare, such as character decapitations and eye-catching special effects, or lighting scenes dominated by red and green hues.

The festival is also bringing back a nearly forgotten film: Cuando muere la noche, shot in 1986 by Valencia director Antonio Aguilar Vicente. Originally released directly to video and never shown in theaters, its revival promises to showcase an obscure gem that’s difficult to find online.

The programming opens on Wednesday with Revoada by Ducca Rios, the festival's first animated feature, a cyberpunk western that has previously been showcased at festivals in Moscow and São Paulo. Another state premiere is Program by Hakan Kadioglu, touted as a Turkish take on Blade Runner.

Featured films also include Mutants of Nature Cove by Kirk Bowman and African Kung Fu Nazis II, directed by Sebastian Stein and Samuel “Ninja-Man” Nkansah, produced across Japan, Ghana, and Germany. Star False 2.0, a reimagining of the Star Wars saga by Finnish director Ville Luukkonen, is another highlight.

African Kung Fu Nazis II particularly excites festival regulars, following the prior installment’s participation in earlier editions. The film humorously depicts Hitler's post-World War II adventures in Ghana as he seeks to create the ultimate Aryan race.

The festival will also feature international filmmakers, with Kirk Bowman flying in from Los Angeles to present Mutants of Nature Cove, while Ville Luukkonen and his team from Finland will showcase Star False 2.0.

CIM’s short film lineup will welcome back familiar names from its community, including Balraj Kang, Pablo Llorens, Mahesh STR, Rama DeRanau, Fernando Alle, and Guillaume Rieu. With five days and over 20 hours of cinema from all continents, except Antarctica, this festival continues to be a unique venue for celebrating the end of summer amid raucous cheers, laughter, and copious cinematic bloodshed.