The Diputación de Alicante has announced the upcoming edition of the Alicante Smartphone Film Festival, scheduled to take place from 16 to 21 November. This unique event, the first of its kind in the Comunitat Valenciana dedicated exclusively to short films shot on smartphones, will include a diverse programme of screenings, workshops, and networking opportunities with professionals from the audiovisual sector.
Juan de Dios Navarro, the Diputación's Cultural Councillor, presented the details of the festival alongside its director David Seva and co-director Victoria Seva. The festival is currently accepting submissions until 9 November via the platforms Movibeta and Festhome, and has already received over 200 entries.
“The Diputación de Alicante firmly supports initiatives that embrace new technologies, promote culture and talent, particularly in cinema, and highlight the works of local filmmakers,” Navarro stated. “The participation in this festival underscores that our region is a strong breeding ground for future directors.”
Short films will compete in various categories, including Fiction, Comedy, International, Province of Alicante, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Direction, with a total prize pool of €2,000. The current edition has attracted submissions from countries such as Spain, France, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, the United States, Italy, Costa Rica, Germany, Venezuela, Argentina, the Philippines, and the Netherlands.
The Province of Alicante section will showcase works from local towns including San Vicente del Raspeig, Novelda, Xixona, Petrer, Elche, Torrevieja, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Santa Pola, Daya Nueva, Orihuela, and Benidorm, among others. The winning film will receive €500 and a year of distribution at national festivals through Movibeta.
David Seva highlighted the festival's growth and its role as a meeting point for filmmakers and audiences, while Victoria Seva emphasised the importance of bringing smartphone filmmaking to new audiences through educational activities and professional encounters.
The Alicante Smartphone Film Festival is supported by the Diputación, the Local Development Agency of the Alicante City Council (Impulsalicante), the Institut Valencià de Cultura, and other collaborating entities.
Programme of activities
- Workshop 'Introduction to smartphone filmmaking' at Tossal Lab on 16 and 17 November.
- Audiovisual activity with APSA on 17 November: screening of animated short films with adapted explanations of their creation techniques.
- 'Cinema Hospital' event at the Hospital General Doctor Balmis on 18 November, aimed at hospitalised children.
- Meeting with actor Luis Miguel Seguí at ADDA on 20 November.
- Closing gala and awards ceremony on 21 November at Teatro Arniches, featuring actress and director Vanesa Romero and collaboration from Luis Miguel Seguí.
