Diversity in cinema and the legacy of José Luis Cienfuegos also took center stage this month
Trainings, screenings, and cinematic reflections shaped the cultural calendar for March, organized by the Valladolid International Film Festival (SEMINCI) in the city. The program kicked off with the intensive workshop “Introduction to Film Directing,” the first training initiative organized by OFF ESCAC in Valladolid in collaboration with SEMINCI.
Led by filmmakers Mar Coll and Valentina Viso, the course brought together some twenty young participants who spent two weekends working on the comprehensive development of audiovisual projects. The first phase, led by Viso, focused on screenwriting, addressing key aspects such as narrative structure, conflict, and character development. Subsequently, Coll took over to delve deeper into staging, planning, and directing actors, in sessions that combined theory and practice. The workshop was held in collaboration with ESCAC through its OFF ESCAC program. The goal of this program, which is funded by the Ministry of Culture, the ICAA, and the European Union’s Next Generation Funds, is to offer free audiovisual training throughout the country.
Remembering Cienfuegos at Various Festivals
March was also a significant month for honoring the memory of José Luis Cienfuegos, a key figure in SEMINCI’s recent history. The former director was honored at the Málaga Film Festival with the Biznaga de Honor award and received the posthumous CINHOMO de Honor award at the 25th edition of the Castilla y León International Film and Sexual Diversity Festival. During both events, industry professionals highlighted his legacy in transforming film festivals in Spain and his commitment to programming and diversity.
Likewise, SEMINCI’s co-directors emphasized the importance of collaboration between festivals while accepting both awards. This collaboration also led to the celebration that month at Espacio SEMINCI of the 19th Human Rights and Sexual Diversity Series, featuring the screening of a dozen non-fiction feature and short films included in the CINHOMO program, whose closing ceremony was also held at the same venue.
La Fila Festival also chose Espacio SEMINCI to present its 30th edition, which takes place in April with an extensive program of short films and parallel activities, including a showcase dedicated to young filmmakers and students from Castile and León.
Espacio SEMINCI, a hub for reflection and cultural engagement
Another initiative that found in Espacio SEMINCI a space for dialogue about cinema and its relationship with society was “Visibles y diversas,” a screening of short films starring women from the LBTIAQ+ community, organized by the Triángulo Castilla y León Foundation as part of the events marking International Women’s Day.
The presentation of the results of ‘Archilabs. The depopulated memory’ rounded out the activities for the month of March. This project, promoted by the Felipe González Foundation, aims to prevent the loss of documentary heritage associated with rural depopulation. At the event held at Espacio SEMINCI, the initiative developed in collaboration with two municipalities in the province of Valladolid—Quintanilla de Trigueros and Trigueros del Valle—was showcased.