The Abycine International Film Festival has officially launched its 28th edition, marking it as one of the major cultural events in the province of Albacete and a key project on a national scale. The Albacete Provincial Council, represented by its president, Santi Cabañero, was present at the event alongside cultural deputy Miguel Zamora and social deputy José González.
Prior to the ceremony, Cabañero congratulated the Abycine organisation, particularly acknowledging José Manuel Zamora and his team for their dedication and commitment, which has helped elevate the festival and put the province on the map of Spanish cinema.
The gala, hosted by local comedian Joaquín Reyes, featured notable attendees including Berto Romero, the writer and star of the opening film 'Cinco minutos más', its director Javier Ruiz Caldera, and actress Victoria Luengo, who received the 2026 Young Career Award. Cabañero praised their contributions to the festival.
Also in attendance was José Luis Rebordinos, director of the San Sebastián International Film Festival, who received an award for his work. Cabañero underscored the importance and potential of Abycine and its initiative Abycine Lanza, asserting its status as a leading platform for filmmakers across Spain. He stated, “Anyone who wants to achieve something in the film industry must go through Abycine,” highlighting it as the best platform for showcasing talent.
The festival has evolved into a dynamic entity that supports the audiovisual industry and emerging creators, promotes independent cinema, and serves as a catalyst for activity and opportunities in the province. Cabañero took this opportunity to advocate for the role of culture beyond mere entertainment, framing it as a right, an expression of freedom, and a tool for fostering critical thinking and democratic coexistence.
“Culture is not just a pastime; in fact, there are entertainments that cannot be considered culture. Culture is a right, as recognised by Article 44 of the Constitution, and it must be able to reflect reality from various perspectives; if it does not, it will not be culture, it will be censorship,” he asserted, calling for support for culture and the freedom to express it.
José Manuel Zamora, director of Abycine, outlined the innovations for this year's festival, noting that it retains its usual structure while focusing on the vibrant moment the audiovisual sector is experiencing in Spain.
