The Sax International Film Festival unveiled its sixteenth edition just last Saturday, staging a memorable event at Casa Alberto Sols in this coastal town. The festival acknowledged notable achievements with a set of awards designed to honor exceptional works and the creative vision of leading filmmakers, including the celebrated photographer Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo whose images were highlighted as part of the festivities.
The jury awarded the Best Feature Film Project to Benidorm Albert’s Bible, a film in development described as a road movie that blends science fiction and fantasy elements in an inventive and thought-provoking way. The director hails from Alicante and has previously earned this same honor in the festival’s 2019 edition for his movie Visitor. That title had its world premiere at Sitges in 2021 and went on to receive a nomination for best film at the 2021 Gaudí Awards. Visitor premiered at the Sax festival earlier this season, and the project recently reached completion, marking a milestone in the filmmaker’s ongoing journey.
In the category of fiction short films, the winner was Titana, a dramatic piece that addresses the sensitive topic of child sexual abuse with a responsible and compelling storytelling approach. The best documentary short film was awarded to a project from Alicante, led by Pilar Perez Solano, recognized for her work on Goya-nominated republic teachers. The documentary continues to explore themes rooted in historical memory, including a segment that considers how rural life and agricultural traditions shape community resilience. It is worth noting that the awards in these short-film divisions feed into the pre-selection pool for the next round of the Goya Awards, underscoring the festival’s role in shaping national recognition.
The Best animated short film went to Gone Loop, a collaboration between Paul Polledri from Argentina and Alex King. The work stands out for its witty, rogue sci-fi tone and pays tribute to classic cinema from Hitchcock as well as the speculative imagination found in Isaac Asimov’s novels. Its playful style and clever references were highlighted as a refreshing addition to the festival’s animated lineup, captivating audiences with humor and creative vision.
The Best social short film carried the title A Ticket of No Return, created by Jose Gomez de Vargas from the Dominican Republic and featuring a Valencian-language short titled Elsa, directed by Albert Carbo. In a separate honor, the Special Mention went to Bottle Rocket to Pluto, a project by Jaime de la Hoz. This recognition also earned the film an Audience Award from the Miguel Hernandez University in Elche, reflecting the festival’s strong ties to local institutions and communities. The evening celebrated a diverse slate of voices and perspectives, demonstrating how film can illuminate social issues, personal journeys, and regional storytelling with equal impact.