Girona will host the second edition of the Girona Independent Film Festival La Setmana from June 11 to 14, which will be held at OCINE cinemas with four finalist feature films competing for the Golden Lioness.
The event reaches its second edition after receiving 56 films from various countries, but only four will compete for the main prize, which adds an unusual incentive for this type of event: the commercial exhibition of the winning work in independent theaters in the State and its guaranteed distribution within a maximum of 12 months.
Only four films will compete after 56 feature films were received
The final selection consists of four titles chosen from 56 feature films submitted to the festival. The works that will compete are Femení Singular, by Xavi Puebla, Nena, by Gabriel Ochoa, Santa Zeta, by Antonio Muñoz de Mesa, and Becoming Vera, by Sergio Vizuete.
Quim Ayats i Bartrina, deputy mayor and councilor for Culture of the Girona City Council, linked the continuity of the event with the city's cultural offerings.
"It is good news that the Girona Independent Film Festival La Setmana is consolidating, because it enriches Girona's cultural diversity and gives a voice to new perspectives. From the Girona City Council, we share this commitment and continue to promote audiovisual and cultural creation in the city" - Quim Ayats i Bartrina, deputy mayor and councilor for Culture, Girona City Council
The organization is carried out by the Girona Association of Independent Cinema and the festival has the support of the Girona City Council, the Girona Provincial Council, and the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
The Cinema Museum and El Modern will host two open conversations
In addition to the screenings at OCINE, the program will extend to other spaces in the city. The Cinema Museum will host parallel activities during the festival.
On Friday at 6:30 p.m., a conversation is scheduled between producer Oriol Maymó and Jordi Dorca, head of the museum's programming. On Saturday at 12 p.m., El Modern will host a second meeting with director and screenwriter Pere Vilà and actor Àlex Brendemühl.
Another of the novelties of the event is the name of the Honorary Award, which has been named Tomàs Mallol in memory of the collector and filmmaker.
The Golden Lioness guarantees distribution within a maximum of 12 months
The main award of the festival will not be limited to symbolic recognition. The Lleona d'Or includes the commercial exhibition of the winning film in independent cinemas in Spain, along with guaranteed distribution within the following 12 months.
The festival will close on Sunday, June 14, at OCINE cinemas. The awards ceremony will begin at 8:15 p.m. and afterwards the documentary Homenatge a Catalunya will be screened, chosen by producer Paco Poch, who will receive the Honorary Award.