The mayor of Jerez, María José García-Pelayo, alongside municipal government members, attended the closing gala of the fourth edition of the festival cine con acento, held at the Teatro Villamarta. The event also welcomed representatives from various administrations and the cultural sector.
This year's festival, themed 'In Jerez, we eat like in the movies', featured a completely free programme that combined cinema with the culinary delights of Jerez. García-Pelayo expressed gratitude to the festival organisers, sponsors, and supporters of this year's edition, stating, "It is a true pride for us that Jerez is consolidating as a film city, a city that this year has successfully merged gastronomy and cinema. The important thing is that it is becoming a platform not only for artists and professionals but also for new generations, showcasing non-professionals. There is an increasing audience, more candidates, and above all, Jerez is becoming more of a film city. We thank you and look forward to next year."
The festival is organised by the Asociación Artes Escénicas y Audiovisuales de Jerez, in collaboration with the Escuela de Artes Escénicas y Cine María Espejo, and is sponsored by the Ayuntamiento de Jerez, the Diputación de Cádiz, and the Junta de Andalucía, with support from RTVA.
Lidia Jaime, the festival director, highlighted that each year the festival is dedicated to a special theme, and this year it focused on gastronomy, affirming, "Jerez is undoubtedly a gastronomic capital, where we not only eat like in the movies but also drink and love like in the movies. Jerez is Andalucía, it is land, it is sea, it is art now and in the past… that is why it is special." Jaime also paid tribute to Federico García Lorca, to whom the gala was dedicated, stating, "A kiss to the sky for the one who fought until the end to make his land an immensity of unforgettable verses. Always here, Federico." She extended her appreciation to all participants, saying, "A round of applause for everyone who submitted their work, whether selected or not, as they all deserve our recognition and encouragement to continue."
The gala featured performances by the Municipal Band of Music, including recitations of Lorca's verses. Notable moments included appearances by Jesús Sotomayor and four families from Uniper, who are featured in the documentary 'Perfectamente imperfectos', showcasing the daily lives of families with children suffering from rare diseases, delivering a positive message about happiness despite challenges.
Other recognitions during the gala included a tribute to Jerez director Yolanda Centeno for her professional career, the Honorary Award to actress Ruth Gabriel, and the Canal Sur RTVA Award to actor Manuel Morón. The awards presented included: Best Gastronomic Short Film: 'Maridaje'; Best Animated Short Film: 'Tengo algo que contarte'; Best Young Director: Fran Expósito for 'Los Pájaros'; Best Fiction Short Film: 'La Espantada'; Best Documentary Short Film: 'Ole Paco'; Best Documentary Feature: 'Perfectamente Imperfectos'; Best Documentary with Roots: 'Acuérdate de mí'; Best Interpretation Mention: Paula Román; and Best Film: 'Tras el Verano'. This fourth edition received over 300 submissions, surpassing the 200 from the previous year, and expanded its scope with a European category, the Special Award for Gastronomic Capital Jerez 2026, and a section linked to roots and the Festival de Jerez.
