CineUnderground — Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Film Festival

Independent Genre Cinema in Busto Arsizio

CineUnderground is the ultra-independent genre film festival in 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 spaces, 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 put it, 'if you like intimate, punk rock-style events, CineUnderground is for you.' Organized by a small, passionate team, the festival prioritizes community over spectacle.

The Awards

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

Beyond the Festival

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