THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ATTENDEES SURPASSES 9,800, WITH STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE SHORT FILM COMPETITION, AND A GROWING AUDIENCE FOR FEATURE FILMS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
THE RECENTLY CELEBRATED FILM EVENT HAS STRENGTHENED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE AUDIOVISUAL INDUSTRY, YOUTH AND SENIOR AUDIENCES, WHILE IMPLEMENTING AN ACCESSIBILITY PLAN
The 53HIFF growing social support, nearing 10,000 spectators (Photo – Adela Moreno y Ana Escario)
The Huesca International Film Festival reflects on its 53rd edition with numbers that continue to show growing social support, nearing 10,000 spectators. More than 50 events took place in 2025, drawing over 9,800 attendees. Growth has been especially notable in the short film competition, feature films shown at the Teatro Olimpia, and outdoor activities, each drawing over 1,000 attendees. “This is a very important figure not just quantitatively but qualitatively,” explains Estela Rasal. Over the course of the nine-day event, the festival offered a wide-ranging cultural program designed to appeal to all ages, social groups, and industry sectors. “We want the city and region to feel the festival is theirs, but at the same time, we want to make it an attractive showcase for outsiders, especially those in the audiovisual industry. Our goal is to make this festival an international reference point in the short film market,” Rasal adds.
Among the main pillars supporting this steady growth is the core of the festival: the short film competition, which once again exceeded 1,000 attendees. This edition also set a new record with 2,085 submissions from 101 countries. Alongside the official selection, feature film screenings at Teatro Olimpia were another major highlight (the theater also received an Honorary Danzante Award for its centennial). A total of 1,157 people attended the premiere of Copeland, the debut film by Gerard Oms (winner of the Danzante Prize in 2021). Other notable films included Muy lejos, Sorda, and Reflejos en una habitación, as well as tribute films dedicated to Irene Escolar and Charo López, recipients of the Carlos Saura and Luis Buñuel “City of Huesca” Awards, respectively.
Outdoor venues such as López Allué Square and General Alsina Square also gained popularity. The former attracted over 50 attendees to each “Vermú con…” event outside Ultramarinos La Confianza. The latter became a local hotspot for eclectic and innovative programming, hosting events such as La vita è bella by the Capua Circus School, in collaboration with Amparo Nogués’s clown workshop; a fusion of cinema and Italian appetizers with the film La cena; and the Cravan Mobile Barbershop, a multidisciplinary show combining projections, theater, and live music. Despite being postponed due to weather, this event still drew over 400 people a week later.
SENIORS, YOUTH, AND CHILDREN
Olimpia Theater. (Photo – Adela Moreno y Ana Escario)
Several programs aimed at specific audiences saw significant quality improvements this year. One example is “Seniors at the Festival,” which, with Amazon’s support, will become an annual event. After visiting 15 senior centers and care homes, the program will continue in collaboration with the Pirineos Mountain Film Festival and the Women’s Film Showcase. Similarly, the “Film Festival in Classrooms” initiative for secondary school students expanded to include Huesca’s Pirámide, Lucas Mallada, Sierra de Guara, Ramón y Cajal, and Art School, as well as Martínez Vargas (Barbastro), Montes Negros (Grañén), and the Almudévar branch campus. The months-long program concluded with a special awards presentation, sponsored by Fundación Caja Rural and in collaboration with Universidad San Jorge, ArtLab, and the Huesca Art School. “Children at the Festival” has become a flagship program. This workshop, held in partnership with Un Día de Cine (an initiative by the Aragonese Department of Education) and led by Laura Torrijos, introduced over 500 children to the magic of cinema in an accessible and educational way.
SYNERGIES, MARKET GROWTH, AND A NEW ACCESSIBILITY PLAN
Sebastian Salazar Claro won ‘Work in progress’ (Photo – Adela Moreno y Ana Escario)
The festival’s growing network of partnerships continues to expand, with joint initiatives alongside CDAN, Aragón TV, the Huesca Hospitality and Tourism Association, CADIS, ArtLab, Universidad San Jorge, Aragón Planetarium, Hoya de Huesca Region, La Catalítica, Zinentiendo Association, the French Institute, the Women’s Film Showcase, the Huesca Merchants Association, Enate, Ultramarinos La Confianza, Círculo Oscense, Oscacine, the Huesca Tourist Office, Festhome, Fundación Caja Rural, La Caixa, Renfe, Huesca Art School, Hermanos de la Cruz Blanca, Audi, Amazon, Un Día de Cine, the Huesca Astronomical Group, the Booksellers Association of Huesca, Capicua Circus School, Amparo Nogués’s clown workshop, Diario del Alto Aragón, Alimentos de Aragón, Adheso, the Mexican production company Chemistry, and Cuarzos Jewelry, among others. This extensive network aims to build a solid foundation for the festival’s mid-term goal: “to make Huesca the international reference for the short film market,” as director Estela Rasal puts it. To that end, the industry section has been expanded with the introduction of “pitching” and “work in progress” sections for short films—the first of their kind in Spain. These initiatives have already resulted in production agreements for several projects. Industry-focused meetings included “Women Festival Directors,” the co-production forum “Other Spotlights: Murcia and Navarra,” and new project presentations.
A major highlight was the exclusive trailer premiere of one of the most anticipated Spanish films of the fall, Parecido a un asesinato. Partially filmed in Huesca province, the event brought together much of the cast and crew, including Blanca Suárez, Eduardo Noriega, debut actress Claudia Mora, and director Antonio Hernández.
A major innovation this year was the accessibility plan, launched in collaboration with CADIS and funded by Fundación La Caixa. Measures included sign language translation of ceremonies, an accessible website and printed program, specially adapted spaces, a guidebook and dedicated email for accessibility needs, and staff training by a professional in the field—all designed to improve both the in-person and digital festival experience.
SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT AND NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Stewart Copeland (Photo – Adela Moreno y Ana Escario)
The festival continues to achieve significant media impact, with strong coverage from major television networks, radio stations, newspapers, and websites at the local and regional level, as well as national and international reports in both general and specialized outlets. The presence of figures like Stewart Copeland reinforced its global prestige, previously reflected in a report by the Huesca Chamber of Commerce (following the 51st edition), which valued its total media impact at €4,286,125. Press coverage has appeared in countries such as Mexico, Switzerland, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, France, Paraguay, and Italy (2025’s Guest Country of Honor).
The festival’s growing influence is especially evident in its tribute awards (Pepe Escriche, Ciudad de Huesca Carlos Saura, and Luis Buñuel), which have honored renowned figures such as Terry Gilliam, Diego Luna, Pablo Larraín, Victoria Abril, Michel Franco, Costa-Gavras, Víctor Erice, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, the Bergman Chair, Ventana Sur, and the Clermont-Ferrand Festival.
