With
37 years experience behind it there is little left to say about the
National Short Film Competition, a mainstay of ALCINE's expansive programming. Year after year it is compulsory viewing for the top brass of
Spanish short filmmaking and screening, preface to the long-awaited feature film, transition between projects or their logical conclusion. More and more entries are received each year -this year nearly double the number received last year-. The
National Competition is enjoying renewed interest in tune with the
development of short filmmaking in general, increasingly viewed, respected, and acclaimed.
ALCINE is therefore once again transforming itself into a
showcase for professionals, films buffs and the general public where they can get a good idea of the current health of Spanish short filmmaking. The national competition brings together a
select group of work defined by a single unifying characteristic;
quality. There is room for young promise ready to fly high, veterans hardened by thousands of shoots, winners from previous years looking for glory once again, regulars persevering in their attempts to attain notoriety, feature filmmakers come back into the fold, short film addicts and others looking to reaffirm their style, or find their own identity.
In short, storytellers all of them.
For one week only, Alcalá becomes the
short film capital, a shining showcase laid out so short filmmakers, technicians and actors can show off their latest creations, and a
meeting point for the sector's professionals and the general public.
ALCINE37 awards
There are
fifteen awards in the
ALCINE37 National Short Film Competition, decided upon by two juries. The first jury assigns the 'Comunidad de Madrid' Award and the second works in a more general role. The 'Ciudad de Alcalá' awards are the top prizes with first, second and third awards worth 9000, 6000 and 4500 euros respectively. Those attending the festival can vote for their favourite short film in the Audience Award section, 'Youth Department of the Alcalá de Henares Town Hall'.
The list of winners at the Alcalá de Henares/Comunidad de Madrid Film Festival will this year once again constitute a
melting pot of contemporary outlooks, a gamut of dreams and a faithful
reflection of national short filmmaking.
