Skyline Benidorm Film Festival has revealed the lineup of selected short films for its National Official Section this year. The program spans a broad spectrum of genres and moods, from intimate dramas and sharp comedies to heartfelt documentaries. The festival will screen the 25 chosen works in Skyscrapers City from March 25 to April 1, with simultaneous availability on the festival’s VOD platform on the same dates. (Skyline Benidorm Film Festival)
The event this season attracted approximately 700 short film submissions, marking a new record for the festival. Since the previous edition, around 450 works have been submitted, reflecting growing interest in short-format storytelling and its ability to reach diverse audiences. (Skyline Benidorm Film Festival)
The festival director remarked that the program emphasizes a wide variety of content while promoting gender equality among directors. The event is recognized as a qualifying festival for the Goya Awards, thereby offering increased visibility for the shorts that comprise the official national section. It was also noted that Skyline Benidorm Film Festival is among the few festivals that provides monetary compensation for selections, with a prize of 200 euros awarded to each selected film. (Skyline Benidorm Film Festival)
This year, prize money in the competition has expanded, totaling 21,000 euros across multiple categories, including European and Ibero-American shorts. The increased awards structure aims to celebrate excellence across a broad range of styles and regional perspectives, while supporting filmmakers with meaningful recognition. (Skyline Benidorm Film Festival)
The national official section will feature several films tied to the Alicante region, including notable titles such as Hard Core from San Vicent, Adem Aliaga’s Anyone God Bless You Maria by Julie-Estel and Noelia Fluxa, and the director’s debut feature by actress Eulalia Ramon, Divine Beads, which was showcased at the closing of Sitges. These selections showcase the festival’s commitment to regional talent and to stories that resonate both locally and beyond. (Skyline Benidorm Film Festival)
The following titles have been confirmed for the official competition:
- Mara by Daniel Allué and Josep Cister Rubio
- For Rage, by Alberto Diaz Lopez
- Connect, by Carmen Cordoba González
- Anticlimax, Óscar Romero
- Provider Owners, Marina Donderis, Nuria Poveda and Marina Cortón
- Things to Men, by Raquel Colera
- When the Grass Grow, by Maria Monreal
- Divine Accounts, Eulalia Ramon
- Dear Michael, by Joan Bover Raurell
- Daily Operador Cinematográfico, by Dani Segui Florit
- God Bless You Maria, by Julie-Estel and Noelia Fluxa
- Magical Thought, Eva Saiz
- Habitat by Elena Escura
- Hardcore, by Adam Aliaga
- Heleno, by Mikel Arraiz
- Kafka’s Baby, Bruno Simões
- Mom Trucker, by Paula Romero
- Paris 70, by Dani Feixas
- Plastic Killer, Jose Pozo
- Sandwich Cat, by David Fidalgo
- First Sisè, by Albert Carbo
- Sushi, by Ivan Morales
- Titan, by Maria Salgado Gispert
- Tula by Bea de Silva
- Mare by Javier Celay