Summer vacation unfolds as a lively family comedy hosted by a colorful lineup, featuring weekly premieres on Thursdays. The festival shares its opening night with I love you madly, and others, where a seventies-era mother confronts her son’s bold advocacy for LGBT rights while navigating a changing world.
Summer holiday
After two separated fathers, Óscar and Félix, lose their jobs, Óscar works as a children’s entertainer at a luxury hotel. The men must hide their kids while juggling work and parenting, leading to a cascade of chaotic yet funny moments that resonate with families. The project is co-written, directed, and produced by Marta González de Vega and Santiago Segura, with contributions from Patricia Conde, Cristina Gallego, González de Vega, Sirena Segura, and Javier In addition to a talented younger cast that includes García and Hugo Simón, with debut performances from Daniela Pintado alongside the director.
I love you madly
Directed by Alejandro Marín, Ana Wagener portrays Reme, a Seville mother in 1977 who must acknowledge her son Miguel is pursuing a dream of artistry and television singing. As Miguel explores new friendships forming within the Andalusian LGBT movement, within the church, Reme faces surprising truths about the era. The ensemble includes Alba Flores, Carmen Orellana, and La Dani, rounding out a memorable cast.
First Slam Dunk
This anime and manga prequel follows the legend Hanamichi Sakuragi as he copes with the death of his brother, a gifted young basketball player. He finds himself drawn to the sport again and must navigate the pressure of leading his team Shohoku toward championships. He wins over Haruko, who loves the team and the game. The film marks the long-awaited cinematic leap of the iconic story, directed by Takehiko Inoue, original creator and writer, with production by Toshiyuki Matsu.
First day of my life
Paolo Genovese, the director and writer behind the source novel, presents the tale of a man who spends a week exploring what life might be like if he shared it with two women and a boy. The narrative unfolds through intimate encounters and a gentle exploration of love, family, and the meaning of everyday moments.
Evening Evening
Kristina Buozyte and Bruno Samper, known for Aurora, guide a story about 13-year-old Vesper who survives in a world after ecological collapse where seeds are precious. She encounters a woman with a secret that compels her to wield new tech and skills in a fight to secure a future for all. The film blends science fiction with survival and maternal courage.
Fox
Austrian director Adrian Goiginger recounts the true story of his great‑grandfather, a motorcycle courier in the Austrian army who befriends a fox before a major Allied engagement. The journey follows their bond and the endurance that helps them endure the hardships of war as they move toward the Russian front.
Nelsito’s world
Director Fernando Pérez presents a Spanish‑Cuban production about Nelsito, a 16‑year‑old autistic boy whose days include rest and recovery after a traffic accident. During hospitalization he imagines characters inspired by people around him, who come to life when he returns to the world, offering a moving look at imagination and resilience.
Liuben
Venci D. Kostov makes his directorial debut with a story about Victor, who returns from Spain to his Bulgarian homeland for a grandfather’s funeral and falls in love with an 18‑year‑old named Liuben. This tender romance becomes a milestone for LGBT representation in Bulgarian cinema and features Spanish actress Antonia San Juan in the cast.
In addition to these titles, the festival screens the American horror Absolute Rest, the French romantic comedy The Origin of Evil, and the acclaimed French documentary The Guardians of the Planet about the history of whales. Whale Nation by Heathcote Williams is also highlighted on the festival’s billboard.