The Diputación de Albacete has presented the sixth edition of the Hellín International Film Festival (FECHE), a cultural event that has established itself as a significant showcase for the city, the Campos de Hellín region, and the province as a whole.
During the presentation, the deputy for Culture, Miguel Zamora, welcomed the mayor of Hellín, Manuel Serena, and the festival director, Ismael Olivares. They outlined a programme that will run from 14 to 20 November, featuring a mix of film screenings and various community-oriented activities.
Zamora praised the festival's organisers for their efforts since the inaugural edition, noting its unique identity and the opportunities it creates within the region. “FECHE is one of the most rapidly growing events linked to the audiovisual arts in our province, becoming a national reference for quality and content,” he stated, expressing pride in the festival's contributions to Hellín and the wider province.
Mayor Serena described FECHE as a cultural project centred around cinema, thanking the Diputación for its support. “Since we presented this project to the Diputación, it has backed our cultural initiative, which extends beyond Hellín to include surrounding villages and the entire province,” he said, emphasising the festival's growth alongside the municipality and the Diputación's commitment to quality and inclusive programming.
Festival director Ismael Olivares detailed a programme that includes film screenings, professional meetings, educational activities, social initiatives, and awards. The inaugural gala will take place on Saturday, 14 November, featuring Albacete singer Rozalén, who will receive one of the festival's Special Awards.
During the festival, actress Dafne Fernández will be honoured with the Honour Award, while journalist Jon Sistiaga will receive the Special Award at the closing gala on Friday, 20 November, at 20:30 in the Teatro Victoria.
Notable highlights of this edition include the screening of the documentary ‘Enlorquecido’ by Miguel Poveda on Thursday, 19 November, at 20:00, which will be followed by a discussion with the artist.
The competitive section of the festival will feature 16 short films in the Official Section, three feature films, and four documentaries, alongside six short films in the Campos de Hellín section, four in FECHE Kids, and another four in Mirada Rural.
Additionally, the festival will include two special screenings: the feature film ‘Gracias’ by Daniel Chamorro and the documentary ‘Miguel Ángel Blanco: las 48 horas que lo cambiaron todo’ by Jon Sistiaga and Juanjo López. FECHEF, successfully incorporated in the previous edition, will return, along with new sessions of FECHE Talks addressing current issues of particular interest to the audiovisual sector.
This sixth edition of the Hellín International Film Festival reaffirms cinema as a meeting point for creators, professionals, and the public, reinforcing its cultural mission and commitment to the region.
