Festival Data:

• Established: 1973
• Genre: General
• Attendance: 15000
• Accreditations: AMPAS, FICC

• Competitive

Festival Website:

Festival Description:

The International Huesca Film Festival has been involved with the development of short films for 35 years, and with its passion for cinema in general, it simultaneously integrates in the restless and fertile cultural environment of the city.

In 1978, the contest became competitive and its own awards were created: gold, silver and bronze Danzantes as well as a prize voted upon by the public. Jury members become part of each edition and the contest is extended with retrospective, informative and tribute sections.

Today, at the Huesca Film Festival, the official competitive sections are composed of the Iberoamerican, International and European Documentary contests. The winners receive our most prestigious prize, the Award Danzante (bestowed with 9,000€ in each of its two categories), and a list of winners bestowed upon with numerous prizes. The winners of the Award Danzante in the Iberoamerican and International contest may automatically qualify to enter the Short Films category of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood for the concurrent season. In 2006, the European Documentary Contest was created with a prize winning total of 9.000€.

The attention accorded to the filmmakers and their works have placed the Huesca Film Festival in a high category within the circuit of events of its class, national, European and internationally. Each year the number of short films submitted for selection is surpassed.

Although being a short film festival, it is also concerned with all facets of cinema. Over the years, we have continued to look towards Latin American cinema. In fact, they have been present from the beginning and have presented first work feature films; monographically countries such as the Dominican Republic have been presented, and recently, we have also had sections dedicated to Mexican documentaries, Chilean political cinema, Gardel's tango, 90s fiction from Brazil, Cuban cinema, and Peruvian short films amongst many others.

Since our entry into the European Union, the section Sample of European Cinema has had a strong following with the people of Huesca. The selection of feature films - most of which have been recognized by different cinematographic international festivals - are voted upon by the public to be bestowed with the Award of the Public (European Awards).

The Festival, aside from the awards given in its official contest sections, also bestows awards upon professional cinematographic works with a tribute called City of Huesca.

The Award Luis Buñuel was created seven years ago, with the Aragonese José Luis Borau the first winner, and followed by Michel Piccoli, Patrice Leconte, Aki Kaurismäki, Jerzy Kawalerowicz, Jan Troell, André Téchiné, and in 2006 to Mexican actor Pedro Armendáriz, Jr.

In 2002 emerges another City of Huesca Award, this time orientated to filmmakers whose role is within short films.

There are also awards granted in other diverse categories, such as the Award Francisco García de Paso for the short film that best emphasises human values, the Award of the Youth Jury, the Award Casa de América to the best new director, the Critics Award, José Manuel Porquet Gombaú, to the best International Short Film.

Of major importance to the Festival is the section specifically created in 2004 for Aragonese cinema, with the Award Los Olvidados. There have also been encounters of directors, meetings within the region, etc.