From November 13 to 21, 2026, various venues in Gijón/Xixón will host the Enfants Terribles section of the Gijón International Film Festival (FICX). Since its inception in 1997, Enfants Terribles has become a hallmark of the festival, aiming to educate young audiences on film appreciation and, by extension, understanding the world.
Over the years, nearly 300,000 children and teenagers have participated in this initiative, which serves as a pathway for audiovisual literacy from early education through to high school and vocational training. Once again, Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura is collaborating in organizing this long-standing section of the festival.
The 2026 programming continues to advocate for a nuanced approach to cinema aimed at children and adolescents. The selection includes 16 feature films from diverse cinematic traditions, tackling themes such as family, friendship, grief, body image, illness, disability, responsibility, violence, first love, and the quest for identity. Eleven of these films will have their Spanish premieres at FICX.
Enfants Terribles acts as a gateway to contemporary cinema that feeds into major international festivals. This year’s lineup features films recognized at prestigious events such as Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, Rotterdam, Annecy, Thessaloniki, and Visions du Réel, alongside more populist productions. The diversity of styles and origins reflects a core principle: young audiences are legitimate viewers, capable of enjoying both adventurous tales and comedies, while also engaging with challenging narratives that pose difficult questions without offering simplified answers.
