Selected by more than sixty festivals and already a strong candidate for a Goya finalist, Table for 3 has swept up seven awards and gained a new honor with its selection at the Alicante Gastro Cinema competition, bringing the tally to eight. The short earned the status of winner in the 3 seater table category this edition.
Director Meka Rivera and producer Álvaro García Company accepted the accolades with pride. Rivera remarked that the film blends a playful, satirical tone with a powerful message that confronts a pressing issue, delivering it in a way that resonates across audiences. The exchange came after the recognition of the project, which features a story about five friends who secure a reservation at an exclusive restaurant. Upon arrival they face a cruel twist: only one table for three exists, forcing two guests to be denied dinner, straining their friendship and forcing hard choices.
Among the cast involved, Nacho Guerreros, Luis Mottola, and Nerea Garmendia contribute memorable performances. The ensemble is widely praised for its chemistry, with Rivera noting that the group created a compelling dynamic and sustained a strong stage-like energy throughout the shoot. The project embraced a theatrical rhythm, letting characters grow through clear, decisive moments that heighten suspense across a compact runtime. The film runs twelve minutes and was filmed last December.
Beyond its festival run, the project has sparked conversations about food security. The United Nations has highlighted the vision that ten billion people will need nourishment by 2050, underscoring the necessity to increase food production to meet rising demand. The film’s creators say the short intends to highlight the mismatch between abundance in some places and scarcity in others, inviting viewers to reflect on how resources are distributed and valued. The filmmakers emphasize that presenting these ideas through cinema and fiction makes the message accessible and memorable for a wide audience, especially on a platform like gastro cinema that blends culinary culture with storytelling.
Rivera and García Company explain that the project was designed to carry a social message in a format that feels relevant and urgent. They describe the campaign as a new approach to public awareness, one that uses film to express important truths about nutrition, sustainability, and social responsibility. The short film is not merely entertainment; it acts as a catalyst for discussion about how communities respond to shortages and how creative media can illuminate those challenges for diverse audiences.
In addition to its narrative focus, the project assembled a strong cast that helped bring the story to life. Paco Tous, Luis Zahera, Nerea Garmendia, Nacho Guerreros, Luis Mottola, and Alexandra Masangkay contributed performances that anchored the film’s emotional core. The ensemble’s work elevates the project beyond a simple satire into a character-driven piece that invites viewers to invest in the stakes and outcomes. Rivera notes that the team built a memorable cast that stands out in every scene and remains committed to the world they created on screen. The short’s touring schedule has been described as a purposeful, ongoing exploration of the characters and their evolving relationships.
The film’s completion marked a rapid journey from preproduction to festival premieres. The team says they could hardly have imagined reaching such a milestone in such a short time. Its selection at Alicante Gastronómica, featured at IFA on a Saturday, has already earned multiple recognitions including Best Screenplay at Humans Fest 2022, Best Short Film at ImagenArte Festival in Santaella, Best Director at Curts de Moscatell, and Best Humor Short at Calzada. Additional accolades include the De Calatrava Festival Audience Award at Calahorra Festival and the Best Comedy Award at the Astorga Film Festival. These honors underscore the film’s broad appeal and its ability to connect with audiences across different event contexts.
Álvaro García Company expresses confidence that the short Film’s message will reach even more viewers as it continues to travel through festivals and screenings. The creators hope the impact of the project will grow as audiences engage with its themes and characters and reflect on the issues it presents. The team remains committed to sharing the film’s narrative in new formats and venues to maximize its reach and influence. The production marks a meaningful collaboration within the Idex Group, combining cinematic storytelling with a call to action about food availability and social equity. The filmmakers emphasize that the dialogue surrounding resource distribution is essential and deserves ongoing attention across communities, policy discussions, and cultural programming. [Citation: Alicante Gastronómica and festival distributors] }