The Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival is set to launch its 52nd edition on 13 November with an opening gala at the Casa Colón Congress Palace, starting at 20:30. The event will be broadcast live on Andalucía Televisión.
Journalist Toñi Moreno will host the ceremony, which will feature a musical performance by Pastora Soler and the presentation of the Luz Awards to actress Amaia Salamanca and actor Patrick Criado. The festival will bring together notable figures from the film and television industry, including Belén López, Adrián Lastra, Diego Martínez, Carla Díaz, Eduardo Rosa, and Antonio Velázquez, marking the beginning of nine days filled with film screenings, tributes, professional meetings, and activities for all audiences.
This year’s festival will showcase around a hundred films, with half directed by women. It will run from 13 to 21 November and will also honour Chilean actress Paulina García with the Ciudad de Huelva Award, the festival's highest honour.
Tickets for the festival can be purchased online starting from 10 November and in person from 12 November. Tickets for the opening gala will be available both online and in person from 12 November.
Festival director Manuel H. Martín announced the details during a presentation at the Casa Colón, attended by Huelva's mayor and president of the Cultural Foundation of the Ibero-American Film Festival, Pilar Miranda, along with various representatives from the festival's patronage institutions.
Martín highlighted that this year’s edition features a competitive section with twelve national premieres vying for the Colón de Oro for Best Film, showcasing both established filmmakers and emerging voices. He noted that the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy productions that have been featured at prestigious festivals such as Berlin, Locarno, and Toronto, including Brazil's Oscar submission.
He expressed the festival's commitment to offering quality cinema that presents diverse perspectives and contributes to attracting new audiences. The tributes this year reflect a meeting of generations and film styles, with García being recognised for her significant contributions to contemporary Ibero-American cinema.
In addition, Martín emphasised the importance of audience participation, stating that the festival aims to engage viewers actively. Sections such as Acento. Cine Español and Talento Andaluz will allow the public to vote for awards, showcasing some of the most notable Spanish films of the year alongside local productions.
Education is also a key focus, with thousands of local schoolchildren participating in educational activities designed to spark an interest in cinema from a young age.
Pilar Miranda remarked that the festival represents more than just a cinematic event, celebrating over five decades of shared stories and cultural exchange between Spain and Latin America. She encouraged the local community to embrace the festival and participate in its activities.
David Toscano, president of the Provincial Council of Huelva, highlighted the role of cinema in fostering understanding and connection, noting the deep historical ties between Huelva and Ibero-America.
Pía Halcón Bejarano, director general of Promotion and Cultural Action, reiterated the festival's significance as a vital meeting point for film industries on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Official Feature Film Section will feature twelve productions competing for the Colón de Oro, with selections from renowned international festivals. The jury will consist of professionals with extensive experience in documentary creation and international film festivals.
In addition to the competitive sections, the festival will screen 31 short films across various categories, qualifying for the Goya Awards in the National Short Films Official Section and the Ibershorts Award in the International Ibero-American Section.
