Em 2005, quando o Fantaspoa surgiu, não existia nenhum festival de cinema fantástico no Brasil. Sabíamos da existência de grandes festivais de gênero, como Sitges, BIFFF, Lund e Imagine, dentre outros, e sonhávamos que um evento parecido existisse aqui: que possibilitasse ao público brasileiro contato com uma cinematografia rica e diversificada que não era exibida nos cinemas comerciais do Brasil.

Tendo sido o Fantaspoa inspirado diretamente por aqueles festivais, foi a realização de um grande sonho após 10 anos de existência se tornar membro da Méliès - Federação Europeia de Festivais de Cinema Fantástico, ao lado de 28 dos mais relevantes eventos de cinema de gênero do mundo.

Ser o único representante da América Latina reflete a seriedade e dedicação com que o Fantaspoa é realizado e reforça os nossos objetivos de trazer uma cultura cinematográfica do mundo todo de alta qualidade para os espectadores brasileiros.

A partir de 2026, o Fantaspoa passa a integrar como membro permanente a Federação Méliès - tornando-se o primeiro festival fora da Europa a entregar o Silver Méliès de Melhor Longa-metragem Europeu -, fato que reforça tanto seu crescimento constante no circuito mundial quanto a credibilidade de sua visão curatorial perante a indústria.

English Presentation

The Méliès International Festival Federation – MIFF is a tightly knit network of 29 film festivals from 21 countries, with a global attendance of over 800 000 visitors, making it a vital economic and cultural player on the fantastic film scene.

Its mission is to promote European fantastic film productions throughout Europe and the world, by enhancing their visibility and their standing both among the public and within the industry, and encouraging their circulation. The Federation works to fulfill this mission through its festival network in Europe, its supporting members in Asia, North America and South America, as well as its Méliès awards for outstanding European genre films.

The festivals are major platforms for genre films in their respective regions. They all work closely within the Federation network, but embody diversity and individual artistic identity, through their distinct programming choices, including the Méliès competition selections. They feature both press and audience screenings and offer a full range of side events that include master classes, conferences and industry pitchings, bringing together a wide spectrum of viewers, iconic and emerging talent, and other industry professionals to share experiences and knowledge.

The Méliès d’or and Méliès d’argent awards are given each year to the best European fantastic feature and short films. The awards recognize quality and creativity, and generate unique visibility for the film and their directors. The winners are showcased by all of the Federation’s festivals, including its supporting members, thereby encouraging their circlation worldwide.

Starting in 2026, Fantaspoa becomes a permanent member of the Méliès Federation - making it the first festival outside Europe to award the Silver Méliès for Best European Feature Film - a fact that emphasize Fantaspoa’s growing relevance on the global festival circuit and the international industry’s confidence in its curatorial vision.