21.07.2024. Sant Boi de Llobregat. From Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 July, the Fantboi (Sant Boi de Llobregat Fantastic Film Festival) opened the doors of its fourth edition «Only happens in Japan» to the public who over the course of several days attended both the screenings that took place at Can Castellet and Cal Ninyo as well as the activities carried out by the organization such as the Market, the motorcycle of a 1/1 replica of Akira’s motorcycle courtesy of Fooly Cosplay, and the successful lunch consisting of a sandwich designed by chef Íñigo Sanz and a refreshing vegan Poke.
Those attending the opening were surprised to find a video of appreciation from Japanese director Takashii Miike, who had been given an honorary award by the organization and was given by hand, so the film was shown Imprint film, chosen by Miike himself from among his entire filmography to be screened at the festival. The quality of this year’s feature films was accompanied by a new record in the number of spectators who crowded especially the Spanish films La Mesita del Comedor, Os reviento, the already legendary Sang Boi section and the marathons, both that of the official Sunday shorts section, and for the first time the night marathon.
This year’s jury, composed of Animation and FX specialist José Luis Algar and Tiktoker Noelia Galán, awarded the prize for best film to La Mesita del Comedor, directed by Caye Casas and which continues to win the main awards of the festivals where it is shown; the second prize awarded by the jury was that of the short film Sang Boi which ended up in the short film Sangría directed by Andrea Segarra.
Director Pol Digger saw his short film Sincopat awarded in the official section, an award given by the audience. The animation jury, made up of Karen Madrid, Raquel Gu and Llimoo, awarded the prize to the Asian short film G-Man directed by Yuchen Liu.
At the end of the gala, the winners of the Fantboi Lab mentorships were announced, for two very interesting projects that we hope can premiere at the next Fantboi, which are Amantis and Personal Cuts.
A festival that could not have been possible thanks to the management of the Fantboi team, the help of Sant Boi de Llobregat Town Council and new sponsors such as Grocasa.
In summary, it has been four intense days and all that remains is to thank the audience, the people of Fantboi, Jury, directors and attending talents who continue to shape a festival that never stops growing and improving.
With all this we can only say that, next year, El Fantboi will return even better and stronger.
Long live the genre!