About 650 short films from across Spain filled the recent edition of a small-town festival that breathed new life into LAbdet and its neighboring areas. The event, promoted last year to encourage residents during a time when patron saint festivities were paused, also aimed to spark tourism and support the audiovisual sector in Guadalest Valley.
This year the festival returned with no capacity limits due to the easing of restrictions, taking place on the weekend of 17 and 18 June. Screenings happened outdoors in Plaza de San Vicente Ferrer, a space that expanded to accommodate up to 350 attendees, with the initial edition having hosted about a hundred people. Weather hopefuls hoped for clear skies on the second day, even as a few showers tested the crowd; nonetheless, awards were handed out for the top three productions.
The mayor of Confrides and LAbdet, Rube9n Pico, explained that since the pandemic people have shown a preference for small towns and outdoor gatherings. The short-film festival offers a different, charming way to spend a weekend, and last year’s edition drew visitors from across the province. Since then, many have returned repeatedly, turning the event into a recurring commitment for locals and guests alike.
This year, around 650 short films were submitted from diverse regions, surpassing the 2021 figure that topped just over 500 entries. The works covered a wide range of genres, each told in under twenty minutes. A jury selected a dozen pieces to compete for three prizes: €1200, €800, and €500. The screenings were staged outdoors in the town square, beginning at 10 PM, followed by two feature-length films suitable for all ages.
Friday offered a slate of shorts with titles such as Fantasy, English, Espinacas, Babel, Cristiano, Final Projection, and Imbecile. The program also included Missing a Little Sunshine, a title that added a touch of warmth to the lineup; Saturday highlighted 25 Horses, Umbrella, Cement and Steel, MOTHER, This Is Not My Son, The Time Has Come, Black Magic, and Before It Explodes, all leading into the feature Hazel Moon.
Tickets were priced at a symbolic one euro and could not be purchased online; they were available on-site, with proceeds directed to the LAbdet Festival Commission. The commission uses the funds to plan the patron saint festivities scheduled for the third weekend of August this year. The festival jury featured notable performers and creators, including Maria Minaya, actor Fernando Gadea, Lola Molto, and Paco Enlaluna, who joined as a screenwriter and composer.
Rube9n Pico noted that last year’s festival significantly boosted local tourism, drawing visitors to nearby rural houses and inns. He highlighted the close-knit network of five neighboring towns within a nine-kilometer radius: Confrides/LAbdet, Guadalest, Benifato, Beniarde0, and Benimantell. The event continues to serve as a bridge between cinema enthusiasts and rural hospitality, nurturing a vibrant weekend culture that resonates across the region.
In addition to film screenings, the festival also acts as a catalyst for regional collaboration and cultural exchange. Local residents recall how the event transformed weekend rhythms, turning quiet villages into temporary hubs of activity and conversation. Audiences linger after showings, sharing impressions, and planning return visits to the area. The festival’s momentum demonstrates the enduring appeal of short-format storytelling and its power to draw diverse audiences to small communities, where cinema becomes a shared experience rather than a solitary one. (Local festival records, 2024)