THE TOTAL FIGURE FAR EXCEEDS THAT RECORDED IN 2023, SURPASSING 9,600 ATTENDEES ACROSS NEARLY 50 SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES.
THE FESTIVAL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES ITS IMPACT AMONG YOUTH AND TEENAGERS, AS WELL AS AMONG THE OLDER AGE GROUP.
Niños al Festival
The 52nd edition of the Huesca International Film Festival has increased its total number of spectators to over 9,600 across more than 50 events in 2024. This represents a 20 percent increase compared to 2023, with notable attendance at the short film competition; the Teatro Olimpia almost reached historic highs with sessions exceeding 200 spectators, while the online festival receives more than 18,000 views. Another key factor for this increase was the greater impact on young and elderly audiences, with activities specifically targeted at these groups. “One of our pillars is to reach all sectors, offer proposals for the older generation, while also engaging the younger audience, all without neglecting our regular followers,” said Estela Rasal, the festival’s director.
One of this edition’s challenges was to broaden the age range of the audience. New programs like “Film Festival in the Classroom,” outdoor screenings that combined music and visual arts, and classic sections like “Kids at the Festival” and “Seniors at the Festival” were implemented. Adolescents and young adults were a target group and following the establishment of the “Youth Committee” in 2023, this year, efforts were made in educational centers. Schools in Huesca such as Pirámide, Lucas Mallada, Sierra de Guara, Ramón y Cajal, and the School of Art, along with Martínez Vargas in Barbastro, joined the “Film Festival in the Classroom” initiative, conducted in collaboration with San Jorge University, ArtLab, Huesca School of Art, UNED Barbastro, and IES Ramón y Cajal (sound module).
The “Kids at the Festival” proposal once again had to double its sessions to meet high demand from schools; nearly a thousand children filled the Teatro Olimpia on Thursday, June 13, to enjoy the workshop “We all have a film inside us,” coordinated with the Government of Aragon’s “A Day of Film” program and in collaboration with Juguettos.
The highlight confirming the success of these initiatives was on Friday, June 14, in General Alsina Square with a performance combining music and short films: Lágrimas de San Lorenzo. Over 600 people attended to experience the project by Pablo Berdún and Fernando Núñez.
ATTENDANCE AT “SENIORS AT THE FESTIVAL” INCREASES BY 60 PERCENT
Mayores al Festival
The festival’s second most developed area is the older audience, with the flagship activity being “Seniors at the Festival.” This special short film session, tailored for residences and centers for the elderly and people with disabilities, reached 737 spectators (a 60% increase, with unique attendees due to the nature of the initiative).
There was also an increase in requests from the centers themselves, reaching 15 in 2024 (two more than last year). This means that virtually all such facilities in the city benefit from this cultural service. Additionally, a special screening was held in the Casino’s Blue Room, where a second session had to be organized due to massive attendance.
The film festival continues to develop an extensive and solid network of synergies and collaborations with much of the cultural and social fabric of the city, the province, and even nationally. This year, joint proposals were carried out with CDAN, Aragón TV, Adicine, the Provincial Association of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs of Huesca, CADIS, ArtLab, San Jorge University, Planetario de Aragón, La Catalítica, Zinentiendo Association, the French Institute, the Women’s Film Festival of Huesca, the Aragon Audiovisual Cluster, and the Aragon Independent Producers Association (APROAR), Huesca Trade Association, Ultramarinos La Confianza, Huesca Tourism Office, Loa, Capicua Circus School, and Cuarzos Jewelry, among others.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT AND NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Quantitatively, the festival consolidates the data from last year’s socio-economic impact study conducted by the Huesca Chamber of Commerce, which showed a total direct economic impact of €795,472 and a total media value of €4,286,125, combining to generate €5,081,597. In 2024, the figures again approach 1,000 explicit media impacts and nearly 200 interviews with guests and members of the organization, with appearances in international outlets from countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Switzerland, Colombia, Greece, Uruguay, Peru, Poland, and France. Additionally, this year, the festival played a prominent role in local and regional news outlets and appeared in prime-time television in one of Spain’s most-watched programs.
The festival’s capacity to attract the industry is highlighted by the prominence of its tribute awards (the Pepe Escriche, Ciudad de Huesca Carlos Saura, and Luis Buñuel Awards). Notable names such as Terry Gilliam, Diego Luna, Pablo Larraín, Michel Franco, Costa-Gavras, the Bergman Chair, and Ventana Sur have been honored, with this year adding the Clermont-Ferrand Festival, Isaki Lacuesta, Victoria Abril, and Víctor Erice.
