Caroline Munro will be the guest of honor at the Grossman Festival, with over 50 films in the pipeline.

The Grossmann Festival of Fantastic Film and Wine has announced that British actress Caroline Munro will serve as its honorary guest for this year's edition. The festival, set to take place in Ljutomer, Slovenia, promises over 50 films across various categories, including feature films, short films, and musical documentaries. This marks the 22nd iteration of the event, which began on July 8 and runs until July 12. On July 11, the festival will present its awards, known as the "Grossmann Awards," with a special highlight being the "Horrible Cat" prize, for which Munro will act as chairperson of the jury. Caroline Munro, best known for her role as the Bond girl in The Spy Who Loved Me, has had a diverse career spanning horror, science fiction, action, adventure, thriller, and comedy genres. She will participate in discussions before select film screenings, including The Last Horror Show and Sinbad: The Legend of the Seven Seas. Her involvement extends beyond appearances, as she will also lead the jury for the main competition category, alongside director and screenwriter Tomaž Gorkič and film critic and journalist Ana Jurc from MMC. The festival's lineup includes a variety of films competing for the prestigious "Horrible Cat" award. Among these entries is Karmadonna, the debut film by Serbian screenwriter Aleksandar Radivojević, who previously worked on the controversial Serbian Film. The movie follows a woman expecting her first child whose life is disrupted by a mysterious phone call. Another entry is Nikoli, directed by David Boyle, blending elements of supernatural horror with the "home invasion" subgenre. Norwegian film Dawn explores the trauma experienced by sisters seeking refuge in their family home, while Spanish film Night transports viewers back to the 17th century during the witch hunts. Outside the competitive program, the festival will showcase new additions to the Zombie franchise with Zombies Burn by Sébastien Vincent and Deathstalker, written and directed by Steven Kostanski. Additionally, the event will feature the German-German-Japanese co-production African Kung Fu Nazis 2: Bum Bum by Sebastian Stein. These selections reflect the festival’s commitment to presenting a wide range of international cinematic works. In the "Noisy Cat" category, four documentary films will compete, including Punk Under Communist Rule by Andrej Košak, which examines the Slovenian punk scene between 1977 and 1984. The festival also plans to include films aimed at children and youth, along with a marathon of classic films in collaboration with Jinga Films. A section titled "On the Fantastic Side of the Alps" will feature independent short films from the Alpine region. The festival will also host discussions and workshops related to filmmaking, including a session on creating masks for film with director Aljaž Tepina and actress and professional kickboxer Katarina Sang, who are working on the independent production All According to Plan. Director Stein will speak about his experiences filming in Ghana, offering insights into the challenges of shooting in foreign locations. Discussions will also cover the series Behind the Iron Curtain, providing deeper context into the historical and cultural themes explored in the selected films. As the festival approaches, anticipation continues to build among attendees and participants alike. With a mix of established names and emerging talent, the event aims to celebrate both the artistry and diversity of fantastic cinema while fostering dialogue around its evolving themes and narratives. The inclusion of Caroline Munro adds a notable touch of international recognition, further enhancing the appeal of this year's festival.