The 41st mostra de valència – Cinema del Mediterrani, scheduled from 3 to 15 November, will showcase a significant presence of Valencian cinema, with three productions competing for the prestigious Palmera de Oro in the official section. Additionally, the Xaloc section will feature another three Valencian titles.
Roberto Bueso's film 'El mal padre' will kick off the festival, which aims to highlight local talent. The festival director and deputy director of Cinematography and Audiovisuals, Sara Mansanet, presented the competing Valencian films on Wednesday, alongside directors, producers, and teams from various participating productions.
All participants expressed their gratitude to the mostra for providing a platform for their work. Mansanet emphasised the festival's goal of showcasing Valencian films, noting, "We are aware that many are small productions but filled with heart, and we want to strengthen their positioning through our platform."
Showcasing contemporary Valencian cinema
The Finestra section will present the latest productions from the Comunitat Valenciana, with screenings at Cines ABC Park. Feature films will be shown from 5 to 8 November, while short films will be screened on Friday, 13 November, at 18:00 and 20:00.
Films nominated for the Premis Lola Gaos in categories such as best feature film, documentary, animation, best direction, and best script will compete for two special awards supported by the management entity DAMA: the DAMA-Finestra award for best Valencian feature film, worth €3,000, and the DAMA-Finestra award for best Valencian short film, worth €1,500. A jury of industry professionals from Madrid, the Basque Country, and Catalonia will determine the winners.
Competing films and categories
In the fiction category, competing films include 'Cowgirl' by Cristina Fernández Pintado and Miguel Llorens, shot in Valencian in the Tinença de Benifassà, els Ports, and the Maestrat; 'Tanit' by Pep Garrido, co-produced by Dacsa Produccions; and 'El mal padre' by Roberto Bueso. 'Eixam', the debut feature by Óscar Bernàcer, leads this edition with 18 nominations.
Documentary entries include 'La Pietà' by Rafa Molés and Pepe Andreu, 'Retrato de una cerilla', the debut of Claudia García de Mateos, and 'Seràs per sempre, un viatge per Vicent Andrés Estellés'. Animation titles include 'Superthings: la película' by Víctor Monigote and 'La violinista' by Ervin Han and Raúl García, which won the Crystal for best feature at the Annecy Festival and will have its premiere on 12 November.
Short films will compete in three categories: animation, documentary, and fiction, featuring works such as 'Antitermitas' by Alejandro Rey Miño and 'Quemar al padre'.
Opening and special screenings
The official section includes three Valencian productions, with 'Els dies clars', the debut feature by Sandra Ferrús, exploring mental health through the story of Vicent, a young man diagnosed with schizophrenia. The film is produced by Suica Films and shot entirely in Valencian.
Another entry is 'La gran fiesta del cine' by Toni Agustí and María S. Torregrosa, while Silvia Rey's 'Calle de los Ángeles' addresses the housing crisis in the Cabanyal neighbourhood. The festival will open on 3 November at the Sala Iturbi of the Palau de la Música with 'El mal padre', which premiered at the San Sebastián Festival.
Industry engagement and future events
The mostra also serves as a meeting point for the Valencian audiovisual industry, with the València Film Afers co-production forum taking place from 8 to 10 November at the Veles e Vents building in La Marina. The DAMA-Finestra awards will be presented during this event.
Additionally, the VII edition of the Adapta Literary Market will showcase works by Valencian authors and publishers that could be adapted for film. Following the festival, the IX Premis Lola Gaos gala will occur on 5 December at the Palau de la Música, broadcast by À Punt.
