The GazteFilm Fest, a film festival dedicated to children and youth in Vitoria-Gasteiz, is set to celebrate its ninth edition from 19 to 29 November 2026. This year, Mexico will be the guest country, bringing a vibrant array of films and cultural initiatives.
New features include GFF passes, which allow attendees to enjoy ten screenings over the festival's two weekends, and the 'Friends of the Festival' project aimed at strengthening community ties. The festival will also introduce new venues: Arkabia, Izaskun Arrue Kulturgunea, and Sala Baratza.
The festival's official selection will showcase a variety of unique and thought-provoking films from around the world, many of which are not typically available in commercial cinemas. A key focus will be on active participation from children, with a jury composed of young attendees, films dubbed into the Basque language by local youth, and a selection of short films chosen by students from Gasteiz schools, specifically Errota Eskola and Toki Eder.
Mexico's cinematic contributions will be highlighted through three main programmes, including a spotlight on acclaimed filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke, featuring his films 'Lake Tahoe', 'Temporada de patos', and 'Moscas'. Additionally, two short film programmes titled 'Bestiario en lengua' and 'Al son de la vida, canta la tierra' will be presented, alongside the 'AMBULANTE' programme.
The festival's visual identity has been designed by Mexican animator Luis Felipe Hernández Alanis, who will also conduct workshops during the event. The opening ceremony on 19 November at the Conservatorio Jesús Guridi will feature a performance by the Banda de Enseñanzas Profesionales, conducted by Asier Zabalza Larreta, showcasing pieces composed by Indigenous women from the Mixe region, along with selections from the soundtrack of the animated film 'Coco'.
One of the highlights of this year's festival is 'Txakun txakür', which won the Irizar Award for Basque Cinema at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. This film will screen on 29 November at 17:00, concluding the festival with the presence of its director, Elsa Oliarj-Inés, and part of the production team.
Tickets are priced at €4.50, with the introduction of GFF passes available for €36, allowing access to ten screenings. The festival aims to foster a sense of community and cultural engagement, as expressed by co-directors Helena González and Ricardo del Conde.
New venues include Arkabia as the main site, which will host the closing ceremony, many feature films, and various workshops. Other activities will take place at Izaskun Arrue Kulturgunea and Sala Baratza, while the opening ceremony returns to the Conservatorio de Música Jesús Guridi. Civic centres Salburua and Zabalgana will host several school sessions from 16 to 26 November.
On 29 November at 10:00, the festival will also feature 'Cucinema', an immersive workshop where participants create a film directly on celluloid, compose its soundtrack, and cook, with a nod to Mexican cuisine. This workshop is open to all ages and does not require prior artistic training.
As in previous years, the festival will be judged by children, with two juries comprising fourteen members aged 6 to 12 years, awarding prizes for the best feature and short films in two age categories. The results will be announced during the closing celebration.
In keeping with its commitment to original versions, the festival has organised a dubbing workshop for local children, who have lent their voices to Basque versions of films such as 'Jauregiko bizitza' and 'Oihanean jaioa', as well as selected short films from the official section.
The official selection of short films has been curated by students from Toki-Eder Ikastola and Errota Eskola, who viewed, discussed, and selected the films during the spring. The festival will also feature a serigraphy workshop for the third consecutive year, allowing participants to print the festival's design on their own clothing, and the Ortzadarra creation workshop, where children aged 9 and above will create decorative elements for the festival.
Practical information:
- Dates: 19 to 29 November 2026
- Venues: Arkabia (main venue), Izaskun Arrue Kulturgunea, Sala Baratza, civic centres of Zabalgana and Salburua, and the Conservatorio de Música Jesús Guridi (opening ceremony).
- Tickets: €4.50, available at the box office 30 minutes before each screening.
- GFF pass: 10 sessions for €36, with reservations required at least three days before each session.
