Distribs sign on for Sitges

One of Europe's biggest fantasy, genre and sci-fi fests, Sitges will offer a huge spread of Asian films.

Led by Filmax, Catalonia is the Spanish hub of horror pic production. Its capital, Barcelona, houses Asian film specialist buyers such as Notro Films and startup Isaan Films.

Bowed last year, the Sales Office event aims to pump up export biz to Asia, too.

Companies that have signed on for the Sales Office include well-known Japanese companies Comstock, Pony Canyon, Nikkatsu Corp., the Klockworx, Phantom Film, A.K. Co. and Zazie Films.

South Korea's Tube Entertainment will attend, as will Cathay-Keros Films and Overseas Movie Distribution from Singapore, and Thailand's Siam House.

Also present will be acquisition execs from TLA Releasing, Venevision and Germany's On New Media, among other international companies.

Three weeks out from the event, the total number of accredited sales agents and producers stands at 111, compared with 81 last year.

The Sales Office will offer networking and videotheque screening facilities for 278 Catalan, Spanish and festival films, and host a round-table discussion, co-sponsored by Variety, on exporting and co-producing Euro films with Asia partners.

The Sitges fest will run Oct. 9-18.