XIBALBÁ – VI LATIN AMERICAN HORROR FILM FESTIVAL
In Mayan mythology, Xibalbá is the underworld ruled by the deities of disease and death, equivalent to the underworld in other cultures. It is an important part of the mythical cycle of the twins Hunahpú and Ixbalanqué, narrated in the sacred book Popol Vuh of the K’iche’ Maya culture. The name of this festival was conceived as a tribute to our Mesoamerican culture and its richness, framed within an oral tradition filled with myths, legends, supernatural beings, horror, and fantasy.
Xibalbá Terror was founded in Guatemala in 2021 with the goal of promoting horror cinema created in our region, fostering a space for dialogue and exchange between genre audiences and filmmakers. Throughout its first five editions, the festival has experienced exponential growth, not only in audience reach but also in the variety of events and sections it offers. Xibalbá takes place in six cities across Guatemala, in cultural centers and alternative screening venues. We showcase horror and fantasy short and feature films, including all their subgenres and variations. In addition, we maintain partnerships with other festivals and platforms that strengthen the circulation of Latin American cinema.
Alongside the exhibition and competition of films, the festival features a training and educational space called Xibalbá Industria, where we offer workshops, masterclasses, and talks aimed at filmmakers and artists interested in horror and fantasy cinema. Within this section, we organize the Horror Project Clinic, dedicated to strengthening feature film projects in development, in partnership with other training initiatives across Latin America. We also encourage the production of horror stories through initiatives such as our one-minute film competition.
The festival also hosts a variety of live events, including performances, artistic interventions, and musical presentations, among others. One of the highlights is the Horror Cine-Concert, held annually and designed to transform each evening into an immersive and memorable experience.
For this VI edition, we will continue growing with more screening venues, more cities, and new sections. The underworld awaits us!
The festival program and all related activities can be found on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @XibalbaTerror) and on our website: www.xibalbaterror.com
