The festival bids farewell to its twelfth edition with a night full of art, recognition of local talent and awards for the best national and regional short film productions, who passed through the stage to win the coveted ‘statuette’
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Calzada de Calatrava, 12 October 2025. The Rafael Serrano Cultural Centre in Calzada de Calatrava dressed up this Saturday to host the closing ceremony of the XII Film Festival, an event which, for yet another year, has consolidated the town as the cultural and cinematographic epicentre of the region. The evening, which took place in an atmosphere of emotion and celebration, with a full house of hundreds of people, was marked by performances by local associations, the awarding of prizes for the best cinematographic works and the presence of prominent personalities from the world of cinema and culture. The award winners were on stage to win the coveted ‘statuette’.
Among the authorities in attendance were the mayoress of Calzada de Calatrava, Gema García, and the mayor of Corral de Calatrava and representative of the Association for the Development of Campo de Calatrava, Andrés Cárdenas, who highlighted the value of the festival as a cultural and social engine of the territory. The gala, conducted with dynamism and humour by Circo Culipardo, offered a vibrant show combining performing arts, music and cinema, symbolising the creative spirit that characterises this festival.
During the ceremony, Mayoress Gema García underlined the importance of this festival for the projection of the municipality and the recognition of its artistic fabric. “There are already twelve closings of the Calzada de Calatrava film festival, and every year we live it with the same enthusiasm. In this edition we have counted on the participation of numerous local associations that, with great dedication and affection, have prepared wonderful performances for our public”, he pointed out.
García also highlighted the diversity of proposals presented during the eleven days of the festival, in which high quality national and regional short and feature films were screened, as well as three films with the Muestra de Cine Español – Largometrajes (Spanish Cinema Showcase – Feature Films). “This year we have taken another step forward in our commitment to local talent. We have received nearly 70 short films made in Castilla-La Mancha, which shows the excellent moment that cinema is experiencing in our region,” added the mayoress, who also congratulated the award winners, recalling the Almodovarian spirit that inspires the festival. “To take an award here is to take a little piece of Calzada, of this kilometre zero of the Pedro Almodóvar film route”, she remarked.
For his part, Andrés Cárdenas stressed the importance of institutional and regional support for the festival, alluding to the shared identity of Campo de Calatrava. “Campo de Calatrava is support, is union, and this festival proves it. It is the first time I attend the closing ceremony and I have been impressed by the success of the event. Today local talent is recognised, which is what we must continue to promote throughout Castilla-La Mancha,” he said. Cárdenas also congratulated the winners, pointing out that “the awards are more than deserved, the fruit of the work, dedication and passion of those who love cinema. This festival is an example of how culture is the backbone of our territory”.
The festival’s director, Hernán Valdés, expressed his excitement at the development of this twelfth edition, thanking the public for their participation, the commitment of the film industry and the involvement of the institutions and sponsors. Valdés praised the level of the works presented and the quality of the award-winning artists, assuring that “the festival continues to grow and consolidate itself as an essential space for independent and emerging cinema”.
The closing gala also featured the artistic participation of Amigos de la Danza, the Agrupación Musical Santa Cecilia, the Asociación Nuestra Señora de los Remedios and the Grupo de Teatro de la Universidad Popular, who offered a varied and emotive repertoire that captivated the audience. These performances highlighted the value of local talent and the commitment of the Calzadian associations to culture and the performing arts.
Award winners at the XII Calzada de Calatrava Film Festival
Award winners at the XII Calzada de Calatrava Film Festival
As for the awards, the jury recognised the excellence of the works presented in the different sections of the festival. In the Official National Short Film Section, the award for Best National Short Film went to Ángulo muerto, by Cristian Beteta, while La Mort, by Jesús Martínez (Note), won the award for Second Best National Short Film, as well as the Audience Award. The award for Best Director went to Manuel Manrique, for Una cabeza en la pared, while Carlos Santos won Best Actor for his performance in Ángulo muerto, and Ana Wagener was distinguished as Best Actress for Líbranos del mal, by Andrea Casaseca.
Best Actress Award.
In the Official Selection ‘Made in La Mancha’, the Best Short Film went to Egoísta, by Teresa Bellón and Úrsula Gutiérrez, followed by El perverso mundo de los cubitos de hielo, by Joaquín Górriz, which won the award for the Second Best Short Film. The Audience Award in this section went to 3000 Elephants, by Miguel Piedrafita and Israel Carrillo, a work that captivated with its visual strength and emotional message.
The Audience Award of this section went to 3000 Elephants, by Miguel Piedrafita and Israel Carrillo, a work that captivated with its visual strength and emotional message.
The evening culminated with a vibrant and applause-filled closing, which reflected the general satisfaction with the success of the festival. Amidst thanks and promises of continuity, the mayoress Gema García confirmed that “there will be a thirteenth edition”, assuring that Calzada de Calatrava will continue to be “a meeting point for cinema, art and emotion”.
The XII Calzada de Calatrava Film Festival said goodbye, leaving a trail of inspiration, local pride and cultural projection, consolidating its role as one of the most outstanding film festivals in Castilla-La Mancha and a reference point for Spanish independent cinema.
Acknowledgements
In this twelfth edition, the Calzada de Calatrava Film Festival is sponsored by the Association for the Development of Campo de Calatrava, within the framework of the LEADER programme, co-financed by the European Union, the Government of Spain, and the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha.
Acknowledgements
The festival is also subsidised by the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha and the Diputación Provincial. It also receives financial support from the Producer el Deseo, Finca La Rosala, Fundación Globalcaja and Carpintería Calatrava.
The festival also receives financial support from the Producer el Deseo, Finca La Rosala, Fundación Globalcaja and Carpintería Calatrava.
And has the collaboration of the Public Schools Ignacio de Loyola and Teresa de Jesús of Calzada de Calatrava, the IES Eduardo Valencia of Calzada de Calatrava, groups and cultural associations of the town, JR Fotografía, Mi Escapada Favorita, CortoEspaña, Premios Fugaz as a Festival friend, and the platforms Movibeta and Festhome.