round star table
What began as a simple movie night has grown into a summer ritual that stretches into July. The first screenings happened last Friday, setting the pace for a season of short films crowned by the annual “summer cinema” program at Hort del Xocolater in Elche and Arenales del Sol. This year’s edition carried a notable honor as Cineclub Luis Buñuel received praise from the Elche Film Festival, marking the festival’s 50th anniversary and its enduring influence on local film culture.
The milestone adds weight to the long arc of the foundation. The Fundación Mediterráneo highlights the group’s history, and the Silver Palm Tree awarded at the festival mirrors the recognition given to honored artists each year. The competition director overseeing these ceremonies has been Vicente Sanchis, who handed the prize to Jose Vincent Candela, President of the Luis Buñuel Film Club.
partners there
Candela recalled being among the oldest active film clubs in Spain and a foundational pillar of the Valencian Community. He attributed the club’s half-century survival to the energy of the members and the enduring support of a broad network that includes enthusiastic moviegoers and every institution that lends a hand. The club’s annual rhythm keeps building on this momentum, rather than resting on past achievements.
The Cineclub president announced a new stage for the organization, a return to the Odeón Cinemá where the club reaffirmed a belief in cinema as a cultural expression and a pillar of the seventh art. The message was clear: the community will defend a vibrant, social cinema that speaks to contemporary life while honoring its artistic roots.
In turn, Sanchís emphasized the ongoing work at the festival, noting that juries consist largely of Cineclub members who apply strong cinematographic and artistic criteria. This approach has helped hundreds of filmmakers grow, shaping a landscape where emerging talents can find a platform to showcase their work and gain important feedback from seasoned observers.
Outdoor screenings resumed at Hort del Xocolater, where this year the venue accommodates up to 950 attendees for a week devoted to cinema beneath the palms. The setting contributes to a communal, relaxed experience that many attendees associate with the tradition of summer filmgoing.
round table
The evening opens with a round table titled “my first movie,” taking place at the Hort del Xocolater at 20:00. Participating are actors Fele Martínez, Assumpta Serna, and Secun de la Rosa, along with screenwriters Scott Cleverdon and Marta Buchaca. The discussion will be led by Tirso Calero, a screenwriter and producer who has long championed aspiring talents in the industry.
TheMediterranean Foundation has invited five distinguished cinema professionals to reflect on the current state of the Spanish film industry. Each participant will share lessons from their early days and describe the perseverance required to navigate a field known for its competition and high standards.
At 21.30, the second day of short-film screenings continues, with programs split between Arenales Beach and Hort del Xocolater. The night also includes an audiovisual presentation about the Hort del Xocolater School of Painting, organized by the Fundación Mediterráneo as part of the festival’s educational outreach.
The first short in the night’s competition is a documentary, Juegaoterapia: playing chemowill follow Smile and Post by Amanda Ramos Santos, the winner of the 2023 Mostra de Cinema Jove d’Elx. A new director, Azahara Domínguez, will present her short, Novice, offering a glimpse into a fresh voice emerging in Spanish cinema.
The program then shifts to four fiction shorts: Takanakuy by Peruvian director Gustavo Bockos Heredia, a very contemporary comedy by Fang Yang, 7 doses of dopamine by Virginia Rodríguez, and Of(S)love by Alba Pino. Each film contributes to a diverse tapestry of storytelling, exploring human relationships, humor, and the social pressures that shape modern life.
Throughout the night, attendees will experience a blend of intimate character studies, vivid visual narrations, and cinematic experiments, all set against the backdrop of the Hort del Xocolater and Arenales del Sol. The festival continues to be a meeting ground for artists, students, and cinema lovers who share a passion for screening and discussing moving images that resonate beyond the screen.