The claqueta emérita festival, an important cultural and educational event in Mérida, is set to take place from 3 to 9 November, showcasing a record 777 short films. This marks a significant increase from the 543 films presented in the previous year. The festival is organised by Esmerárte and is supported by the City Council of Mérida and the Junta de Extremadura, along with various educational and cultural institutions.
Expanded programme and activities
Among the festival's highlights are the screenings of 40 finalist short films, which will be shown across five sessions at the Centro Cultural Santo Domingo and the Teatro María Luisa. The awards ceremony will occur on 7 November at 19:00 in the Sala Trajano. In addition to film screenings, the festival will offer three workshops focused on 3D printing, video DJing, and craftsmanship, the latter led by local potter Julián Ortega Durán, who has designed the awards for this edition.
Focus on education and social issues
Fajardo emphasised the festival's commitment to education, stating that it serves as a vital tool for engaging students with contemporary social issues and fostering critical thinking. The festival aims to bring cinema into schools and promote democratic values among young people. “The film is a fundamental tool for working with our youth on educational and democratic values,” she noted.
Support from cultural institutions
Antonio Gil Aparicio, Director General of the Filmoteca de Extremadura, praised the festival for providing a platform for both emerging filmmakers and established professionals. He reaffirmed the Filmoteca's support for the initiative and highlighted the importance of extending screenings to other areas of the region to increase visibility for the festival's work.
Commitment to inclusivity and creativity
María de Fátima Álvarez López, co-director of claqueta emérita, pointed out that the festival has maintained its educational essence while expanding its reach. This year, 777 short films were submitted, with categories for professional, emerging production, and educational institutions, including 45 works from Extremadura. The festival will award 18 prizes and feature a diverse programme of screenings, workshops, and professional encounters.
Engaging the community
José Luis Cárdenas, President of the Asociación Cultural Esmerárte, highlighted the festival's participatory nature, which extends beyond the final gala to engage the citizens of Mérida and surrounding municipalities. The festival also aims to foster collaboration between students and industry professionals, offering a guided visit and an exhibition in partnership with the Asociación para la Donación de Médula Ósea de Extremadura (ADMO).
90s-themed gala
The gala for this year's edition will be themed around the 1990s, with design elements created by Marcos López. It will be hosted by journalists Yolanda Álvarez and Lourdes Aguilar, alongside contributions from students in the Higher Degree in Audiovisual and Show Production.
