25/02/2025 - Afternoons of Solitude opens the ninth edition of the Spanish film festival this Friday, which is dedicated to auteur and independent cinema

Albert Serra's Afternoons of Solitude [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Albert Serra
film profile], the film that won the last Golden Shell at San Sebastián, will open on 28 February the ninth edition of Ibizacinefest - Ibiza International Independent Film Festival, which will be held on the breathtaking Mediterranean island until 9 March. The following day, another award-winning film – this time at Locarno, Valladolid and with a Goya for its leading actress, Laura Weissmahr – Salve María [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mar Coll
film profile], directed by Mar Coll, will be screened at the event, which is organised by Xavi Herrero.

As announced on their website, “IBZCF will take place across ten venues in the island's five municipalities and online on the Filmin platform, renewing its commitment to Ibiza and culture through a program of national and international titles never before seen on the island, exclusive premieres in the Balearic Islands and Spain, activities aimed at professionals, short film sections to discover and promote local and Balearic talent, and an educational programme with special screenings to create new audiences.” 

Six films will compete in the official Panorama section: the German film Smell of Burnt Milk [+see also:
film review
interview: Justine Bauer
film profile], the debut feature by Justine Bauer; the tragicomedy by Narges Kalhor Shahid [+see also:
film review
film profile], also German; the documentary Objeto de estudio by Spanish director Raúl Alaejos; the Portuguese production Savanna and the Mountain [+see also:
film review
interview: Paulo Carneiro
film profile], directed by Paulo Carneiro; the Chinese feature film Contact Lens by Ruiqi Lu; and the Canadian road-movie Asog by Séan Devlin.

In addition to the two films mentioned, three titles from recent and more modern Spanish cinema can be enjoyed in special sections: They Will Be Dust [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Carlos Marqués-Marcet
film profile], a musical by Carlos Marqués-Marcet that won awards in Toronto and at the Seminci; Infinite Summer [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Miguel Llansó
film profile], a co-production with Estonia and the United States by the unclassifiable and always surprising filmmaker Miguel Llansó; and the medium-length film Las novias del sur by Elena López Riera, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Critics' Week.

The latter will also form part of the Fem-Cine section, which promotes gender equality from different perspectives and formats. In addition to two official sections dedicated to short films – national (whose selection qualifies for a certificate for the Goya, Forqué, and Fugaz awards for Best National Fiction and Documentary Short Film) and international – as well as numerous activities in the industry area, the programme features Focus Balear, a competitive section dedicated to short films from the Balearic Islands and Ibiza; Be Blue Think Green, showcasing films of all genres and formats that promote environmental awareness, aimed at local schools; Y eso?, for students in their final year of secondary education, with a selection of short films of special interest to this age group (gender equality, social inequalities, disillusionment, migration issues, and social network abuse); Transsesión, an area dedicated to LGBTI+ issues; Cinekids, a non-competitive showcase of international animated short films for children and families; Cine y Arte, a section dedicated to Ibizan artists and a special on Hooper in collaboration with the UNED Illes Balears; and Shortfilms on Tour, a section made up of short films selected and awarded at European film festivals qualifying for the European Film Awards. And finally, special mention should be made of the first Slow-Cinema Workshop-Residence, with 12 short films being simultaneously shot during the festival.

(Translated from Spanish)