01/03/2022 - The sixth edition of the Balearic gathering – which unspools from 11-20 March – promises a range of free-spirited and arthouse titles that eschew comfort zones and conformism

Magaluf Ghost Town [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Miguel Ángel Blanca
film profile] (Spain/France), a documentary directed by Catalonian musician Miguel Ángel Blanca and set on the neighbouring island of Majorca, is just one convincing example of the type of film – daring, indefinable and unique – that audiences will be able to enjoy at the sixth edition of the Ibizacinefest – Ibiza International Independent Film Festival (IBZCF), which is headed up by energetic and enthusiastic filmmaker Xavi Herrero (Salka, In No Man’s Land [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]).

This title is part of the official international section (dubbed Panorama), which, between 11 and 20 March, will screen (in theatres across Ibiza and, once again this year, via a dedicated spot on the Filmin platform) other indie film gems, such as Lobster Soup [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Spain/Iceland/Lithuania) by Pepe Andreu and Rafa Moles, All-In [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (Belgium/Netherlands/France) by Volkan Uce, Rift Finfinnee [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Ethiopia/Germany) by Daniel Kötter, Ballenas (Argentina) by Paula Saidon, Beautiful Losers (Mexico) by Guillermo Margariños, Borom Taxi (Argentina) by Andrés Guerberoff and Please Hold the Line [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (Austria) by Pavel Cuzuioc.

Another official international section at the event, revolving around characters (be they real or not so real), is titled Humans in Focus and contains, among others, some big-hearted European works, such as the production between Lebanon, Germany and Spain Miguel’s War [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], the odyssey of a man who crossed the Mediterranean in search of freedom, helmed by his friend and accomplice Eliane Raheb; The First Woman [+see also:
trailer
interview: Miguel Eek
film profile] by Majorca’s Miguel Eek, another film about someone who has to endure turbulent storms in her own head as she strives for something akin to normality; another investigation, this time delving into the mysteries of two boys’ lives, in The Saint of the Impossible [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Marc R Wilkins (Switzerland); a discussion on the difficulties of beginning the mourning process if one has no clear answers, in the Portuguese feature Shadow [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Bruno Gascón; another film from this neighbouring country, The Last Bath [+see also:
film review
film profile] by David Bonneville, which portrays the conflicts between religion, family and love; Senior Citizen (Cyprus) by Marinos Kartikkis, which introduces us to an elderly protagonist consumed by solitude; and the Spanish movie Sempre Dijous by Joan Porcel, which homes in on a young trap singer, catapulted towards a destiny from which there is no turning back.

In addition, it is worth mentioning the section dedicated to New Spanish Film, with the presence of invigorating feature debuts, such as Ancient Soul [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Álvaro Gurrea
film profile], the first film by Álvaro Gurrea, which took part in the Berlinale Forum one year ago; another non-fiction feature, Tierra de leche y miel by Carlos Mora, Gonzalo Recio and Hector Dominguez-Viguera; Pedra pàtria, filmed on Minorca by Macià Florit Campins; Aita Mari [+see also:
trailer
film profile], in which Javi Julio tells of the transformation of an old tuna fishing boat into a vessel for rescuing refugees; and the gripping thriller Losing It All by Víctor Cerdán.

Of course, at the sixth IBZCF, there will be no lack of short-film sections (both national and international), another focusing on the environment in order to raise awareness among young people (Be Blue Think Green), yet another homing in on equal opportunities (and condemning discrimination), special sessions (standing out among which is that cinematic UFO known as The Sacred Spirit [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Chema García Ibarra
film profile] by the peerless Chema García Ibarra) and a retrospective of short films from the Nouvelle Vague.

For more details of the programme and scheduled activities (including industry ones) on the menu at the sixth Ibiza International Independent Film Festival, you can visit its website.

(Translated from Spanish)