Hollywood filmmaker Peter Jackson made his surprise appearance on Saturday, October 10, together with legendary special-effects make-up artist Rick Baker. The pair addressed crowds from the terrace of the Centre Cultural Miramar, helping launch the traditional Zombie Walk, which sees horror fans take to Sitges’ streets dressed as the living dead.
The appearance came ahead of an evening dedicated to Jackson’s career, when he received the festival’s Gran Premi Honorífic, or Grand Honorary Award. The audience rose to its feet to give the filmmaker a lengthy standing ovation, while fans gathered outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the director.
Director returns to the film that started it all
Jackson’s connection with Sitges dates back to 1992, when he attended the festival to present Braindead, his blood-soaked zombie comedy starring Spanish actress Diana Peñalver. Released in Spain under the unusual title Tu madre se ha comido a mi perro, the film became a cult favourite among horror fans.
This year’s festival screened a newly restored 4K version of the film, bringing Jackson and Peñalver together again more than three decades after its original appearance. Accepting the award from festival director Ángel Sala and Peñalver, Jackson said Sitges was his favourite film festival and thanked the organisers and the town for welcoming him back.
The trophy features King Kong, a fitting tribute to the director’s affection for the giant ape. Jackson has often spoken of his love for the original 1933 King Kong, before directing his own version in 2005.
Hollywood stars join Peter Jackson at Sitges
Jackson is not the only big name visiting the Catalan coast for the 59th Sitges Film Festival. Batman Returns and Matilda star Danny DeVito is among the headline guests, together with Footloose actor Kevin Bacon and his wife, actress Kyra Sedgwick, who are presenting their horror comedy Family Movie. Carrie star Amy Irving is also being honoured, while Japanese actress Meiko Kaji and The Fog actress Adrienne Barbeau are receiving special recognition. Spanish actress Bárbara Rey is due to receive the festival’s Nosferatu Award, while director Alejandro Amenábar and horror filmmaker Robert Eggers are also among the names featured in this year’s programme. The festival runs until October 18, with screenings, premieres and special events celebrating horror, fantasy and science-fiction cinema.
Ha sido impresionante el pase de #Braindead en el Auditori de @sitgesfestival con Peter Jackson. Todo el mundo en pie aplaudiendo por el maestro. Emocionante. https://t.co/pyYRoMC4di
— Pablo Gagis (@pgarcia_gir) October 11, 2026
From cult horror to Hollywood success
Jackson began his filmmaking career in New Zealand with low-budget horror and comedy films, including Bad Taste and Braindead, before moving into larger productions. His international breakthrough came with Heavenly Creatures in 1994, but it was his adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings that turned him into one of the world’s best-known directors.
The three films won 17 Academy Awards in total, including Best Picture for The Return of the King and Best Director for Jackson. The Academy’s official 2004 Oscars ceremony results record the trilogy’s final film winning all 11 awards for which it was nominated. He later returned to Middle-earth for The Hobbit trilogy.
At Sitges, the director looked back fondly on his first visit and joked that he hoped to return again in another 34 years. The 59th Sitges Film Festival runs until October 18, bringing international filmmakers, horror classics and fantasy cinema to the Catalan coastal town.