CineUnderground — Festival Horror, Sci-Fi e Fantasy

Independent genre cinema in Busto Arsizio

CineUnderground is the ultra-independent genre cinema festival of Busto Arsizio, in the province of Varese. Dedicated to horror, science fiction, action, fantasy, and trash, it has become a benchmark in Italy over the years for fans of extreme indie cinema, capable of gathering works from all over the world.

A punk rock spirit

The festival's hallmark is its intimate and direct atmosphere: screenings in small venues, like Circolo Gagarin, accompanied by the presence of directors (in person or via video messages) and an audience of true genre cinephiles. As one participant summarized, 'if you like intimate, punk rock-style events, CineUnderground is for you.' Organized by a small, passionate team, the festival prioritizes community over spectacle.

Awards

CineUnderground presents awards for the best works in competition in various categories: best performance, best direction, best short film, best feature film, best soundtrack, best special effects (SFX) and visual effects (VFX), plus the audience award. A selection that highlights the inventiveness and craftsmanship of independent genre cinema.

Beyond the festival

After several editions and years of activity, CineUnderground has expanded its scope, also becoming a distribution entity, with home video releases of cult genre films. Alongside the main festival, it also offers parallel monthly events to reach a wider audience, confirming its role as a permanent laboratory for indie cinema in Busto Arsizio.