The Rafal municipality once again hosts cinema’s magic as the 12th Rafal en Corto National Short Film and Audiovisual Festival lights up the town from 14 to 21 October. The event gathers a vibrant mix of voices who celebrate the power of short-form storytelling and the art of moving images, showcasing the creativity that thrives within Spanish film communities.
Across the festival, close to five hundred films were considered. Filmmakers from across Spain submitted entries for the competition, and this year marks a milestone: the organization elected musician Manuel Ramos from Elche to chair the festival for the first time. After an extensive selection process, the Film Academy announced its shortlists, presenting 57 standout works that will advance to the final round of the competition where they will vie for recognition and prizes.
Leading the final jury are prominent industry figures who bring a wealth of experience to the adjudication. The panel features music composer and Goya Award nominee Luis Ivars, journalist, writer, and director Francisco Escudero from UNED of Elche, and Carlos Mora, a composer, director, and educator who has created numerous short projects. Their diverse backgrounds help ensure a thorough and thoughtful evaluation of each submission.
Workshops
During the festival week, both children and young adults will have opportunities to engage with cinema in hands-on ways. A slate of practical workshops will be offered, distributed across ten sessions in total. Each session runs two hours and delivers practical skills alongside an appreciation for the art form.
One workshop focuses on interpretation and will be led by director and producer Marcos Altuve over two sessions. A second workshop provides a broad introduction to short film production, covering writing, camera work, lighting, sound, editing, and the final assembly of an audiovisual product, also guided by Altuve in four sessions. A third workshop delves into the craft of scriptwriting for short films, under the guidance of Carlos Maciá across two sessions. The final workshop concentrates on special effects makeup for cinema, taught by makeup artist Raquel Escudero over two sessions.
All workshops are hosted at Rafal’s school and institute, with Marcos Altuve directing the program and collaborating closely with Carlos Maciá to ensure a cohesive learning experience for participants.
Guests
The 12th edition of Rafal en Corto also features an opening gala that pays tribute to the late director Carlos Saura, recognizing his enduring impact on Spanish cinema. The event promises artistic surprises and a warm celebration of the medium. The festival schedule includes a closing gala hosted by actress Miriam Díaz Aroca, with actor Alejandro Tous in attendance and singer Verónica Romero from OT1 as a special guest artist, ensuring a memorable finale for attendees.