Alan Jones is the new director of Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, the most important Italian event focusing on science fiction. The British film critic takes over the artistic direction of the 22nd edition of the Trieste festival, which will take place from 1 to 6 November 2022.
A pioneer in genre film criticism for over four decades, Alan Jones is also an in-demand broadcaster and best-selling author. Books include ‘The Rough Guide to Horror Movies’, ‘The FrightFest Guide to Grindhouse Movies’, ‘The Act of Seeing’ with director Nicolas Winding Refn and ‘Dario Argento: The Man, The Myths & The Magic’ now in its sixth reprint. With Argento he translated, edited, annotated and illustrated the maestro’s autobiography ‘Fear’ for the English-speaking market. A key host for the Cinema: Made in Italy festival in London, he is a director of the UK’s biggest genre festival FrightFest, which stages three annual blockbuster events in London and Glasgow.
“I am thrilled and honoured to have been made Director of the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival.” – Alan Jones said – “I first attended the festival in 2003, loved it and the city so much I became a permanently invited fixture and decided to make Trieste my second home. So I couldn’t be more excited with the fantastic opportunity to turn this absolute jewel on the genre festival calendar into a more international institution, a heritage destination for world-renowned filmmakers and industry creatives to positively interact with their audience. Festivals are more important than ever in the current shrinking landscape for showcasing, giving a diverse voice to and real chances at greatness to the many below-the-radar independent movies that could and should go the distance given the right boost and positioning. I am determined that Trieste Science+Fiction will continue to provide that crucial outlet and attract an ever-increasing fan base for the still buoyant genre this wonderfully supportive city has been synonymous with for nearly sixty years now”.
