As a preview of the filmmakers, actors and film industry professionals who will gather in Valladolid from 24 October to 1 November for the 70th edition of the Valladolid International Film Festival (SEMINCI), authorities and stars, both national and international, walked the blue carpet in front of the Calderón Theatre for the opening gala
At the entrance to the Calderón Theatre, the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun; the Minister of Equality, Ana Redondo; the Mayor of Valladolid, Jesús Julio Carnero; the Councillor for Tourism, Events and City Branding, Blanca Jiménez Cuadrillero; the Vice-President of the Regional Government of Castile and León, Isabel Blanco; Víctor Alonso Monge, Vice-President of the Valladolid Provincial Council, and the director of SEMINCI, José Luis Cienfuegos.
Before the opening gala began, the Minister of Culture confirmed that SEMINCI will receive a nominal subsidy of €150,000 for the first time, rather than requiring the festival to apply for competitive grants offered by the Ministry. Urtasun has promised that the subsidy will be granted regardless of whether the General State Budget is approved or extended. ‘We have taken this decision in gratitude above all to the city of Valladolid, and to the whole of Castile and León, for everything that is done for culture in this region and for the excellent team that works around these festivals,’ he said. The minister acknowledged that participating in the 70th anniversary of SEMINCI is ‘a source of pride’, as it is one of the most important cultural events in the whole country, while also stressing that it is ‘essential to support our cinema and our festivals’.
The team behind this year’s opening film, Three Goodbyes, including the film’s director, Isabel Coixet, actor Francesco Carril, and producers Marisa Fernández, Álex Lafuente and Sandra Hermida, also attended the gala.
The lead actors in Subsuelo, Diego Garisa and Julia Martínez, walked the blue carpet the day before the premiere of Fernando Franco‘s film.
Several members of the International Jury have walked the red carpet. Filmmaker Joao Pedro Rodrigues, journalist Sergi Toubiana, filmmaker Elena López Riera and, later, producer Laurentina Guidotti. Among the international presences, the festival’s opening also featured French actress and director Romane Bohringer, who will present her film Tell Her I Love Her.
One of the most eagerly awaited moments was the arrival of Judith Colell, director of Frontera, alongside Miki Esparbé, the lead actor, and producers Jordi Frades, Marta Ramírez and Mar Medir.
The Valladolid public welcomed the arrival of the leading figures who attended the Opening Gala at the Calderón Theatre with great excitement and joy. The city is preparing for one of the most important weeks in its calendar with enthusiasm and dedication.
Actor Santi Marín with the Valladolid public. ©Seminci/Photogenic