Skyline Benidorm Film Festival is a film event that began its journey in 2017 in the city of Benidorm. It was born as a short film festival, but it has not stopped growing and has become one of the most important short film festivals in Spanish, Latin American and European cinema. It is organised by the production company Paella Productions, which presents its 7th edition from 25 March to 1 April 2023. Moreover, it is directed by Beatriz Hernández and counts on public sponsors such as the Benidorm City Council or Turisme CV.
During these days, there will be essential workshops for film lovers who live in the city or who can get close to it. Film activities, meetings with directors… And more surprises for you to discover!
Evolution of Skyline Benidorm Film Festival
On the verge of its seventh birthday, it is a good time to take a look back at what this festival has meant for the city of Benidorm.
In its 6th edition in 2022, the festival grew so much that new competitive sections were opened. More than 450 short films, more than 230 scripts and more than 25 shortpitches were submitted. From the very beginning, it became one of the few festivals in Spain to include selection fees for participants. In addition, all participants and filmmakers of the national category are invited during the days of the festival, where they can enjoy visits to the city and different meetings between professionals. A real experience for them!
This year is one of the most special editions, as the next edition is a qualifier for the Goya Awards the following year. This makes it a Collaborating Festival in the pre-selection in the short film category.
Undoubtedly, it has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the world of cinema thanks to its variety and originality in the awards, rewarding not only short films, but also scriptwriting and shortpitches.
These are the winners of the last edition:
- Best Fiction Short Film: Imposible decirte adiós, by Yolanda Centeno
- Best Documentary Short Film: Figurante, by Nacho Fernández
- Best Animation Short Film: The Monkey, by Xosé Manuel Zapata and Lorenzo Degl’Innocenti.
- Best Director 2022: Amianto, by Javier Marco.
- Best Production 2022: Chaval, by Jaime Olias.
- Best performance 2022: Jone Laspiur for Polvo somos, by Estibaliz Urresola.
- Best European Short Film: The right words, by Adrian Moyse.
- Best Ibero-American Short Film: MTI, by Mauricio Corco.
- PNR Award for Best Short Film: Suelta, by Javier Pereira and special mention for Marinera de luces, by Pablo Quijano.
- À Punt Award for Best Short Film in Valencian-language: Mindanao, by Borja Soler.
- Public’s Award for Best Short Film: Suelta, by Javier Pereira.
- Best Screenplay: Mapa de la geografÃa emocional, by Julu Martinez and Candela Megido.
- Best Shortpitch: Largo Viaje, by Manuel Manrique, Héctor Herce.
6th edition awards ceremony. Image obtained from the official Instagram account of Skyline Benidorm Film Festival.
Attendance has only increased year after year, as has its visibility. This success is reflected in the professionals who have taken an interest in it, and many directors, distributors and production companies have set their sights on it. In fact, directors as important as Rodrigo Sorogoyen (in 2017 with ‘Madre’) or Carlota Pereda (in 2019 with ‘Cerdita’) have participated.
Highlights from previous editions
Film buffs are in luck because every year they find activities that will surprise them. For example, in the last edition there was a stopmotion workshop with plasticine given by the renowned artist Pablo Llorens. The little ones went home with a small film they made themselves during the workshop. And for the not so little ones, we were able to enjoy the dubbing workshop by Francesc Fenollosa, popularly known for his dubbing performances in the animated series Dragon Ball. Other activities parallel to the festival included round tables, podcast recordings, tributes and talks.
What if you’re not in Benidorm? If you want to enjoy the festival, but you can’t go to Benidorm, don’t worry, the streaming platform Filmin has been collaborating with the festival. During those days, you can find the short films of the national category on the platform so you can enjoy them wherever and whenever you want. You have no excuse to take full advantage of the Skyline Benidorm Film Festival!
