This week, and running until 24 May, the Lanzarote International Film Festival (FICL) celebrates its 25th edition. To mark the occasion, we spoke with its director, Ismael Curbelo, who reflects on the festival’s history, names some of the guests and highlights various activities.

Cineuropa: The festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary. How will it be celebrated in Lanzarote?
Ismael Curbelo: The festival celebrates its 25th anniversary and has become an essential event for lovers of the seventh art, as well as a key platform for filmmakers from around the world.  This is a very special edition, which will include a carefully curated selection of short films, parallel activities, professional meetings, and proposals aimed at a wide range of audiences.

Has it been easy—or not so easy—to reach this milestone?
Getting to this point hasn’t been easy, but it has been immensely rewarding. Since its modest first edition in 1998, the festival has seen steady growth, overcoming economic, logistical and social challenges that turned into opportunities. It has been an intense, enriching and beautiful experience to witness how the festival has evolved in step with changes in both cinema and society. Each edition has been an exercise in overcoming and adapting to new trends. The proof is that we have not only endured, but the festival has grown stronger, consolidating itself as one of the major cultural references in the Canary Islands.

What is the philosophy of the competition?
The FICL remains true to its philosophy: to promote film as a cultural, educational and social tool. Beyond its artistic value, we are committed to film as a means of stimulating intelligence, emotions and collective reflection. With a diverse, inclusive and accessible programme, people of all ages can find their place in a festival that has become a hub for meeting, dialogue and learning.

How would you assess the festival’s 25-year journey?
It couldn't be more positive. After a record-breaking edition last year, both in terms of participation and attendance, we are deeply satisfied. The consistent quality of the programme and the unwavering support of the public have been key to FICL’s establishment as a cultural benchmark—not only in the Canary Islands but also nationally and internationally. For the festival’s organisers, beyond the renewal of its status as a pre-selection event for the Goya and Fugaz awards, the greatest achievement has been becoming a platform that enriches the community and gives visibility to both emerging talent and established careers.

Which parallel events would you highlight, and why?
Among this year’s parallel activities, I’d like to highlight the section Seniors Without Shame, which has a particularly special feature this year: the protagonists are seniors. Over the past few months, nine short films were shot in residential homes and day centres across Lanzarote, and now they will be screened as part of the festival—making it a moving and meaningful experience. Additionally, our workshops and masterclasses, which have trained new filmmakers and introduced audiovisual language to students and enthusiasts, will once again play a central role. The round tables and professional meetings also offer spaces for exchanging ideas and experiences, helping to create collaborative networks that go beyond the island.

Which of your guests do you think will make the biggest headlines this year?
Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Mina El Hammani and Raúl Maro are among the most eagerly anticipated guests this year—actors with strong public appeal and solid careers in film and television. Also worth highlighting are Rubén Cortada and Loreto Mauleón, versatile performers with great potential, alongside Sergi López, Michelle Calvó and Antonio Hortelano, all highly respected figures in the audiovisual industry. This brilliant line-up is completed by Críspulo Cabezas, María Esteve, Carlos Serrano Fuentes and the renowned journalist Yolanda Flores, a leading figure in film broadcasting.

Finally, in your opinion, what is the current state of short films, based on those submitted to this year’s festival?
This year’s selection confirms that the format is enjoying an exceptional moment. The committee noted not only the high technical and narrative quality of the submissions, but also their strong social commitment. Themes such as migration, the climate crisis, gender-based violence, identity diversity, and relationship dynamics were central to many of the works. Beyond their ability to entertain, many of these films have generated reflection and dialogue, reinforcing the short film as a powerful tool for raising awareness of contemporary issues and encouraging critical thinking—one of the defining hallmarks of the FICL.