Two years away from the stage produced a surge of energy to create anew. During that time, Vizen G. Hernández recharged his energy and sharpened his craft for productions that aim higher in 2024. With this renewed momentum, the Cine Social Luminiscente cycle returns, presenting a curated program of socially themed short films that marks its ninth edition at the Sala de Ámbito Cultural of El Corte Inglés in Alicante. The screening is set for Friday, November 8, at 7:00 p.m., and attendance is free while seating lasts. The program addresses issues that resonate with audiences far beyond the city limits, reflecting universal concerns that travel well to North American audiences and beyond.
Since its inception in 2013, the festival has grown into a platform where social messages meet storytelling. After a two-year pause, it returns with a two-part program: an opening public screening on the first floor of El Corte Inglés, in the Hogar building, and a second session staged at partner schools where screenings are coordinated with teachers to foster debate about the themes after viewing the selected works. The outreach is designed to encourage dialogue among viewers who bring diverse perspectives, making the experience meaningful for local communities as well as curious visitors from abroad.
In total, 21 shorts were chosen from 547 submissions that met the competition bases. The topics are very varied, spanning inequality, immigration, gender-based violence, and sexual diversity, among others. The lineup mirrors current social preoccupations while maintaining a broad curiosity about different realities, and it reflects a careful balance between documentary insight and cinematic storytelling. The organizer, Vizen G. Hernández, notes that the works aim to illuminate real-life situations and invite viewers to engage with the stories, leaving the cinema with questions rather than clear prescriptions.
These themes reflect social currents and the evolving topics of the moment. The first edition was tied to the loneliness of the elderly, and this year the program has seen a notable rise in pieces addressing gender-based violence and the abuse of power over women. The aim is to present works that pose a problem and spark ongoing discussion about the ideas behind the short film, rather than films that dictate actions; they invite viewers to reflect as they step out of the screening. The festival seeks to provoke conversation that travels back into classrooms and living rooms alike.
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The event is organized by Dimarmali and Luminiscente Estudio, with participation by María José Fenoll Ferrer and Vizen G. Hernández. A preliminary taste of some of the selected works will be shared with collaborating secondary schools, providing a bridge between the screenings and the education sector. The organizers emphasize that the public will see the filmmakers’ perspective on concrete problems and will have the chance to view issues through the eyes of others, recognizing familiar concerns presented in distinctive artistic voices. They also note that the overall quality of the shorts has risen compared with previous years, signaling a maturation of the program and a stronger platform for new voices.