An American festival dedicated to North American independent cinema marks its tenth anniversary. In its forthcoming issue, spread across multiple Barcelona venues from February 28 to March 15, the event surveys recent breakthroughs in both feature-length and short-form indie cinema. It spotlights standout titles and notable assets from the current year.
1. Todd Solondz
With Welcome to the Dollhouse, Storytelling, and the controversial Happiness, Todd Solondz established himself as a formidable voice in American independent film, especially through sharp explorations of suburban life and awkward family dynamics. His later, more elusive projects like Wiener-Dog, which features songs by Belle and Sebastian, continue to push boundaries. The festival honors him with a full retrospective and a master class scheduled for February 27 at the Blanquerna Auditorium.
2. Lena Dunham is back
Lena Dunham, creator and star of Girls, has experienced a challenging yet productive return to the screen. After the miniseries Camp and the drama Industry, she presented feature work in 2022, including Sharp Stick, a provocative comedy about desire and vulnerability. The film will screen in Girona on March 9 and 10. In a year of renewed activity, Dunham also completed The Catherine Book, a youth-oriented adventure set in a medieval English town.
3. Elvis Presley’s grandson
Riley Keough, who has carved out a path distinct from the late Lisa Marie Presley, is forging ahead as a filmmaker. Known for roles in American Honey, The Girlfriend Experience, What Hides Silver Lake, and Jack’s House, Keough directs Battle Pony, a cinema work portraying adolescent life among the Oglala Lakota. The project earned the Camera d’Or at Cannes, and Americana screens it in the Tops section on March 8 and 11.
4. Nan Goldin and “The Beauty of Pain”
The festival opens its competition with The Beauty of Pain, a profile of Nan Goldin, a photographer celebrated for documenting Bowery counterculture and punk scene in New York and for self-portraiture. The film examines the life and activism surrounding the Sackler family and the opioid crisis. Directed by Laura Poitras, the documentary has already earned the Golden Lion at Venice and received an Oscar nomination for best documentary.
5. The rise of TikTok
Among the documentary selections, Shalini Kantayya’s TikTok, Boom stands out. Debuting at Sundance last year, the film dissects the app’s speed, reach, and cultural impact. It looks at features, virality, benefits, pitfalls, privacy questions, and the platform’s influence on creators, journalists, and everyday users. The screening is scheduled for Friday the 10th in the Zumzeig room.
Notes: The program foregrounds both the craft of contemporary North American cinema and the social conversations it sparks, from community storytelling to digital culture. The festival’s breadth reflects a commitment to independent voices that challenge conventional narratives and illuminate evolving audiences. .