By Santiago Carneri
The town of l鈥橝lf脿s del Pi becomes once again a cultural epicentre on the Costa Blanca with the launch of the 37th Festival de Cine de l鈥橝lf脿s del Pi, a celebration of cinema that runs until Saturday July 13. This year鈥檚 edition promises a compelling programme of screenings, exhibitions and public talks, consolidating its status as one of the most vibrant film events in the Valencia Region and beyond.
The festival was opened on Friday July 4 with two powerful documentaries that set the tone for a week dedicated to cinematic reflection and artistic dialogue. The festival began at Cine Roma with El Santo, a deeply personal short film directed by Carlo D鈥橴rsi Fortunato. The director, known for his emotional and intimate approach, describes this work as his 鈥渕ost personal, intimate, imperfect, familial and humble鈥 film to date. Backed by Montg贸 Films, Jaibo Films and public institutions from Madrid and Valencia, El Santo marks D鈥橴rsi鈥檚 third short film and reaffirms his commitment to heartfelt and authentic storytelling.
Immediately afterwards, the festival presented the documentary feature Las tres muertes de Te贸filo del Valle, by acclaimed filmmaker Manuel de Juan. This riveting documentary investigates the mysterious disappearance of journalist Te贸filo del Valle in the 1970s, a case surrounded by doubt, rumour and unresolved political questions. Through archive footage, interviews and a skilful narrative structure, de Juan reopens the case, questioning the official version of events and encouraging viewers to reflect on Spain鈥檚 democratic transition and the importance of collective memory. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the director himself, launching the festival鈥檚 beloved Encuentros de Cine section.
This series of 鈥淔ilm Encounters鈥 鈥攁 hallmark of the Festival de Cine de l鈥橝lf脿s del Pi鈥 invites directors, actors and producers to engage directly with audiences after screenings, fostering a space of dialogue and shared reflection. This year, ten such encounters have been scheduled, turning each session into a meaningful exchange between filmmakers and film lovers.
Art also plays a starring role in this 37th edition, with the opening of the exhibition Locura Cin茅fila by urban artist Fiigueers. Hosted at the Casa de Cultura, the exhibition was launched on Friday July 4 and is expected to attract a wide audience. Known for his paste-up technique and provocative visual language, Fiigueers transforms everyday spaces using recycled paper and glue to create vibrant, eye-catching collages. The show features 24 original pieces 鈥攖en dedicated to cinema icons and 14 to broader cultural figures such as David Bowie, The Girl with a Pearl Earring, Madonna and Jesus of Nazareth.
鈥淚 want whoever stumbles across one of my designs on the street to feel intrigued, to discover something new about the person depicted 鈥攁 small pill of inspiration before going to bed,鈥 the artist said according to a statement from the city council. The exhibition blends popular culture with urban art, offering a fresh perspective on both worlds, and will remain open to the public until the festival鈥檚 close on July 13.
Highlights
As the festival unfolds, more highlights await. On Sunday July 6, Cine Roma will host a screening of Lo que queda de ti, a moving film by emerging director Gala Gracia. This intimate drama explores the fragile dynamics of human relationships and will be followed by a colloquium moderated by Gerardo S谩nchez, the esteemed director of the TVE programme D铆as de Cine. Gracia, who will be present at the screening, brings a sensitive and emotional vision to the screen, continuing the festival鈥檚 commitment to spotlighting fresh voices in Spanish cinema.
Monday July 7 offers another must-see title: 驴Qui茅n quiere casarse con un astronauta? Directed by David Matamoros and produced by 脕ngela Hern谩ndez, this genre-blending romantic comedy adds a dash of science fiction to the mix, using humour to explore themes of fame, love and the dreams that orbit our everyday lives. Hailed for its originality and aesthetic polish, the film has drawn attention on the festival circuit. Both Matamoros and Hern谩ndez will join the audience afterwards for a talk about the creative process and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Over 30 feature films
Running until Sunday July 13, the Festival de Cine de l鈥橝lf脿s del Pi presents a carefully curated programme of over 30 feature films and around 50 short films. Beyond the cinema, the festival also offers a dynamic schedule of parallel activities 鈥攃oncerts, workshops, masterclasses, book launches and, of course, the now iconic Encuentros de Cine. This multifaceted approach ensures that every edition becomes not just a showcase of Spanish cinema, but a genuine cultural event for residents and visitors alike.
This year鈥檚 honourees include actress Elena Irureta, actor Juli谩n L贸pez and the long-running TVE programme Cine de Barrio, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025. These tributes underscore the festival鈥檚 mission to celebrate both the legacy and the future of Spanish audiovisual culture.
For l鈥橝lf脿s del Pi, the festival is not only a tribute to the seventh art but also a key driver of the town鈥檚 cultural and tourism strategy. By combining quality programming with community involvement, the Festival de Cine de l鈥橝lf脿s del Pi continues to strengthen its role as a meeting point for audiences, artists and ideas. Whether you鈥檙e a local cinephile or a visiting enthusiast, this week in l鈥橝lf脿s offers a unique opportunity to experience cinema in all its forms 鈥攁s art, as conversation and as inspiration.
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