elicitano Chema García Ibarra’s latest film, Holy Spirit, opens this Friday at Filmoteca d’Estiu de València in the gardens of Palau de la Música, where the open-air summer cinema program continues through September 3. This year, eleven films will be shown across 26 sessions, every night except Wednesday. The Filmoteca d’Estiu is organized by the Valencian Institute of Culture, affiliated with Generalitat Cultura, in collaboration with the City Council of Valencia and a beer brand sponsor. In 2019, the last year before pandemic restrictions, the venue hosted a capacity of 950 people and welcomed 14,600 attendees over the summer, marking the twenty-second edition of the program. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo
And what about the Filmoteca d’Estiu in Alicante? The project has not extended to Alicante or Castellón in these 22 years. The IVC Film Library has not expanded the cycle beyond its Valencian centers, a notable gap in regional cultural programming and a missed opportunity for a tourism-friendly city like Alicante. Still, there is potential for change if the initiative gains traction, possibly with a future collaboration with Mediterranean House. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo
“The challenge in Alicante lies in space,” notes José Luis Moreno, former deputy director of Audiovisual and Cinematography at IVC. His preliminary idea to move screenings to Casa Mediterráneo was first considered in 2020, when the festival was held there. The Culture section has included film screenings, music, and games with positive reception, yet August activities did not materialize at Casa Mediterráneo during the ensuing years. For 2021, IVC launched its own performing arts festival, Fresh, in Alicante in July, first at the Port of Alicante’s Pier 12 and this year at the Plaza de Toros, but film screenings did not continue due to a lack of activity at Casa Mediterráneo in August. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo
The IVC general manager, Abel Guarinos, has indicated that a management change at Casa Mediterráneo and discussions with Andrés Perelló could enable a plan to move the Filmoteca d’Estiu screenings to Alicante for the summer of 2023. The aim would be to offer a cycle of non-commercial cinema that does not compete with traditional movie theaters, presenting a cultural experience that resonates with local residents. Guarinos emphasized that past trials in 2020 suggested the location could work well, and he committed to speaking with Perelló in September to explore a potential collaboration for the next summer season, recognizing Casa Mediterráneo as an ideal venue. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo
Perelló, for his part, sees no impediment to hosting Filmoteca d’Estiu sessions at Casa Mediterráneo. He describes it as a question of visibility rather than a barrier, noting that daytime heat makes the site a challenge while night screenings could be a viable solution. The goal is to discuss practical adjustments and assess feasibility, given that Casa Mediterráneo has hosted large audiences in the past, with more than 400 people seated in some events. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo
Another cycle of the Museum Consortium
Meanwhile, the Valencian Community Museum Consortium continues to run the CCCCinema d’Estiu in the cloister of the Centro del Carmen in València, now in its fourth year. The program offers free admission and presents 24 films in a European comedy cycle each August, with daily sessions through the 28th, except Mondays. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo
In addition to these cycles, the summer cinema tradition in Las Cigarreras is continuing under the umbrella of the Museum Consortium, with the latter hosting screenings as part of the ongoing cultural program for the city of València. The initiative seeks to provide diverse cultural options that align with local preferences and seasonal tourism, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a center for film and performing arts during the warmer months. (Fonte: Instituto Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo)
José Luis Pérez Pont, director of the consortium, observes that the cinema cycle is working effectively in València and notes that bringing a similar initiative to Alicante is a possibility that has not yet been officially discussed. “If the Alicante City Council is interested, we can propose something for next summer. It would offer a cultural and distinct entertainment alternative,” Pérez Pont explains. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo
Anthony Manresa, a member of the Cultural Council, confirms that Las Cigarreras has hosted summer cinema for several years, now featuring the Cinema from Behind cycle with eight films in July, but not extending into August. He remains open to exploring new possibilities. At present, this is the city’s only summer cinema venue, with eight screenings scheduled in July. — Valenciano de Cultura, Consejo General de Cultura y Turismo