The International Festival of Independent Film in Elche will pay tribute in its 47th edition to actor Pedro Casablanc, who will receive the festival’s Silver Palm during the closing gala scheduled for Friday, July 19, at the Hort del Xocolater venue.
To mark the tribute to the performer and as part of the festival’s parallel programming organized by the Fundación Mediterráneo, on Wednesday, July 18, at 7:00 p.m., the feature film B, la película directed by David Ilundáin and starring Casablanc himself, will be shown at the Odeón cinemas. The film earned him a nomination for the Goya Awards for his portrayal of the former PP treasurer Luis Bárcenas. Admission is free until full capacity is reached. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
Luis Boyer, president of the Fundación Mediterráneo, notes that Pedro Casablanc, settled in the Vega Baja for several years, is one of the most recognizable figures in Spanish acting across cinema, television, and theater, and that the foundation is honored to have him participate and receive the tribute at the Elche International Film Festival in 2024. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
Boyer adds that the performer has demonstrated for years a great proximity and interest in the festival by taking part in various roundtables, appearing in short films screened at the festival, and attending screenings at the Hot del Xocolater as an audience member. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
Around its nearly five decades, the festival has honored artists such as Fernando Fernán Gómez, Sara Montiel, José Luis Garci, Sancho Gracia, Juan Diego, Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, Vicente Molina Foix, Mariano Barroso, Rosana Pastor, and last year Ginés García Millán. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
The honoree
Pedro Casablanc, born in 1963 in Casablanca, Morocco, has worked with renowned directors including Daniela Fejerman in 7 Minutes, Cesc Gay in Truman, David Ilundáin in B la película, a role that earned him a Goya nomination for best leading actor, and has collected multiple awards. He has collaborated with Celia Rico in Viaje alrededor del cuarto de una madre, Pedro Almodóvar in Dolor y gloria, and Isabel Coixet in Nieva en Benidorm, among others. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
Casablanc also holds a notable television career with popular series such as Policías and Mar de plástico on Antena 3, Isabel on TVE, White Lines on Netflix, 30 Monedas for HBO Max directed by Álex de la Iglesia, and Los Farad on Prime Video. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
On stage, he has starred in plays like La gaviota directed by Amelia Ochandiano, Marat-Sade directed by Andrés Lima, Hamlet with Will Keen, Le Prix Martin at the Théatre de L’Odeon in Paris directed by Peter Stein, and the recent Con Ramón María de Valle-Inclán directed by Xavier Albertí. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
Casablanc presented Movistar Plus series Querer during the San Sebastián Festival, directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa. He is currently shooting in Lisbon a Disney Plus series titled Si es martes, hay asesinato, alongside Ana Wagener, Inma Cuesta, and Alex García. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
The festival
Organized and sponsored by the Fundación Mediterráneo, the Elche International Festival of Independent Film will run from July 12 to July 19 and benefits from the collaboration of the City Council of Elche and the Elche Cine Club Luis Buñuel. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
Since its first edition in 1978, nearly 45,000 films have been screened at the festival. The event has already selected the four feature films to project and will soon announce the short films competing in the various sections, which will distribute 15,000 euros in prizes. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]
All program details and updates can be found on the festival’s official site and the Fundación Mediterráneo social networks. [Source: Fundación Mediterráneo]