Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival

The Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival (Grossmannov festival fantastičnega filma in vina) is an annual film festival held in the town of Ljutomer, Slovenia. Ljutomer is known as one of the largest wine-making centers in Slovenia and as the place where the first Slovenian film was made.

The festivals was named after Karol Grossmann who is widely considered to the “the father of Slovenian cinema”. Grossmann was a lawyer by profession and an avid amateur filmmaker. In 1905, he filmed two documentary short films in Ljutomer: Sejem v Ljutomeru (Fair in Ljutomer) and Odhod z maše v Ljutomeru (Dismissal from Mass in Ljuromer). His third film, Na domačem vrtu (In the Family Garden), was shot in 1906. These three shorts are considered the first examples of Slovenian cinema.

The Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival was founded in 2005 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Slovenian cinema. The event was organized by the Development Agency of Prlekija and Film Practice Film 9 with the help of the European Structural Fund. The organizers decided to accompany an exciting film program with the best wines made in the Prlekija region in order to promote Prlekija as a tourist destination.

The festival focuses on genre movies, putting a special emphasis on horror and fantasy. In 2010, it became an adherent member of the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation (EFFFF). The Grossman Fantastic Film and Wine Festival offers a selection of unconventional films for those who are prepared to venture outside conventional limits of good taste and moral code.

The festival presents several awards to the best films in selection. They include Vicious Cat (Best Feature Award), Slack’s Vicious Cat (Best Short Film Award), Noisy Cat (Best Music Documentary Award), Honorary Vicious Cat (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Award for Best Film from the Little Workshop of Horrors. In addition, EFFFF presents Melies d’Argent. It is a qualifying award for the Melies d’Or, the Best European Fantastic Short Film Award. The best wine is given the Wine Champion Vicious Cat Award.

Alongside film screenings, the program of the festival features free wine tastings, art exhibitions, live concerts, book presentations, panels, a competitive film workshop titled The Little Workshop of Horrors, and more. One of the festival’s main highlights is the annual monster manifestation held on the final day. Past monster-themed events include Zombie Walk, Monster Walk, Vampire’s Ball, Doomsday Walk, Zombie Quadrille, etc.