Alicante is set to host its inaugural Smartphone Short Film Festival, celebrating a ground‑breaking concept built around mobile cinema. The event runs from November 29 to December 2 and forms part of the Alicante Technology Forum in the square of the bullring, Plaza de Toros.
The competition carries a budget of approximately 45,000 euros and is supported by the Department of Modernization and New Technologies. A total of 3,000 euros in prizes will be distributed, announced by the festival director, David Seva Morera, and council member Antonio Peral. They underscore the festival’s emphasis on a format that blends technology with cinema, delivering both innovation and entertainment in a fresh, accessible way.
Alicante will be among the few festivals worldwide to dedicate its short‑film competition entirely to works shot on mobile devices, a concept that has inspired similar shows at other events such as the Elche Cine festival and various Barcelona screenings, where cinephone formats have gained traction.
Seva Morera, a longtime figure at the Alicante Film Festival, spoke about the goal of the festival: to shine a light on remarkable talent using a device as affordable and ubiquitous as a mobile phone for movie making. His ongoing involvement with the city’s cinema landscape underscores the event’s commitment to broad participation and creative experimentation.
In this debut edition, the festival will feature over 150 submissions, each with a runtime not exceeding 15 minutes. A jury will select 35 films across several categories: Fiction, Comedy, Animation, International, Alicante Shorts, Alicante Province Shorts, and a special Hospital Films section. The Hospital Films category highlights works connected to pediatric care at the Doctor Balmis General Hospital, specifically within the Pediatric Oncology Unit under Javier González de Dios, who is also noted for his contributions to Cinema and Pediatrics literature, now in its eleventh volume .
Frame from Paco León’s short film Vecinooo was among the entries chosen for the competition. The image serves as a reminder of the breadth of creativity on display in this first edition.
Thirty‑five short films will be screened in the Technology Forum area around Plaza de Toros, with showings on November 30 from 8 p.m. and December 1 starting at 7 p.m. The international section includes works from about a dozen countries, with selections from the United States and South Korea among others, shown on the festival’s second day. National selections feature prominent names such as Paco León, while the organizers, David Seva and Victoria Mira, also reached out to local educational institutions to involve high school art students in presenting their work. Admission is free but limited to roughly 600 attendees, with pre‑registration required through the event’s official platform. Information is provided within the technology festival materials and through participating venues .
jury
The jury is comprised of Alfredo Navarro, a Goya Award‑winning documentary director known for salty dreams; Robert Ruiz, a photographer and camera operator; and Sami Natsheh and Arly Jones, animation directors from Cabeza Voladora studio, who were nominated for a Goya for their short Colors. Their expertise spans documentary storytelling, live‑action, and animation, offering a balanced evaluation of the diverse entries.
Closing and awards
Alicante‑based host Vanessa Romero will preside over the Closing Gala on Friday, December 2, at 9 p.m. in the arena, where the awards will be announced. The prize structure includes the following recognitions:
- Best Short Film in Alicante Province: 500 euros and festival distribution opportunities
- Best Alicante Short Film: 500 euros and festival distribution opportunities
- Best National Short Fiction: 500 euros
- Best National Short Animation: 500 euros
- Best Short National Comedy: 500 euros
- Best Short Film Hospital: 500 euros
Additional accolades include figurines for the Best International Short Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director, acknowledging outstanding performances and leadership across entries.