Aspe’s International Small Film Festival returns for its ninth edition, dedicating five uninterrupted days to the best in short-format cinema.
In Aspe, the festival has long stood as a hub for concise storytelling and striking visual craft. This year, more than thirty finishes were selected from roughly a thousand submissions, a robust pool supported by the local council to spotlight outstanding short works from around the world and across Spain.
Among the thirty-one shorts in competition, several have earned recognition through prestigious awards and nominations. A standout short won a Goya for best short film in 2022, while another follows the gripping life inside a rehabilitation center for primates affected by violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mindanao, by Borja Soler, has recently been linked to the Forqué Awards. The film centers on the final hours in the life of a female mayor, portrayed by Carmen Machi, weaving a powerful arc about resilience and leadership. Another notable entry traces the experiences of four teenagers, narrated by Rose Ian within the world of Farruca, which earned the Gaudí Award for best short film. These selections underscore the festival’s affinity for vivid characters and urgent social themes. Citation: Festival records and program notes.
Audiences will also encounter directorial debuts and performances by prominent on-screen voices. Juan Manuel Montilla, known to many as Manco, presents his first short film, a drama that probes personal and societal tensions. The lineup includes a performance-driven piece about disability, exploring the experiences of an actor with cerebral palsy who received a special mention at Seminci, followed by a behind-the-scenes project that examines the difficulty of speaking out about sexual abuse and earned recognition at the Skyline Benidorm Film Festival. Citation: Festival program schedule.
Frame from the award-winning short film “Mother” to be screened in Aspe
Within the festival’s ensemble, recognizable names such as Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Julieta Serrano, and José Sacristán contribute to a rich tapestry of talent. Their presence helps shape a lineup that ranges from intimate character studies to broader social commentary. The festival also features work from Oriol Villar, focusing on cement and steel imagery, while other participants bring to life narratives about Bethlehem and the tenants of a house, featuring performances by Lucas Paulino, Angel Torres, and Mary Barranco. The cast list highlights a broad spectrum of established and emerging performers who contribute to the festival’s dynamic atmosphere. Citation: Festival program notes.
Elsewhere, the festival spotlights a new animated comedy from Alicante, the director Alex King, and the Valencian contribution within the broader pool of films. Valencia participates with Free outside, a project by Anthony Sendra, and the lineup includes collaborations that reflect a continental reach across Spain and beyond. Citation: Festival catalog.
This year saw longer submission deadlines, driving the number of participants upward from 700 last year to 871 this year. The festival continues to celebrate works across fiction, animation, and documentary genres, with roughly 15 percent of the entries coming from other countries. Citation: Submission statistics.
Carmen Machi stars in Borja Soler’s Mindanao, a centerpiece of this year’s program.
Festival director John Torre emphasizes quality as a constant priority in selections. He notes that this edition leans away from heavy comedy and leans into dramatic storytelling, reflecting a year marked by unusually dramatic world events. The aim remains to balance genres across the daily screenings, crafting a varied viewer experience that still honors narrative depth. Citation: Festival director remarks.
Even with a more serious tonal tilt, the festival remains committed to a diverse slate. Shorts are shown on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 pm, outdoors in the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. Screenings begin at 22:00 with free and open access and no capacity restrictions this year, accommodating up to 600 attendees per session. On Friday, the closing gala and awards ceremony take place at the Wagner Theatre, hosted by a stand-up comedian to cap off the festival with a celebratory note. Citation: Event schedule.
In addition to the official section awarding a prize of 2,500 euros, the festival also features a documentary shown out of competition that reflects on Aspe during the pandemic, alongside a short film produced by IES Villa de Aspe students focusing on gender equality. The program consistently blends local talent with broader storytelling perspectives, reinforcing its role as a regional cultural hub with international appeal. Citation: Prize announcements and special projects.