FILMETS begins a new chapter with greater projection, new venues and a strong commitment to emerging talent

From 16 to 27 October, Badalona will host the 51st edition of the FILMETS Badalona Film Festival, the international short film festival that reaffirms its vocation as the birthplace of the short film, a hub for new talent, and a platform for the cinema of the future. This year, the festival inaugurates a new artistic direction under Marc Orts, expanding its territorial and creative reach with proposals focused on innovation, commitment, and the human value of cinema. Over twelve days, 285 short films will be screened, 259 of them in the Official Section, competing for the coveted Venus of Badalona.

The press conference presenting the 51st edition of the FILMETS Badalona Film Festival took place this afternoon at the press room of El Viver, Badalona City Council. It featured Marc Orts, the festival’s artistic director; Rosa del Amo, Third Deputy Mayor of Badalona City Council; and Xavier Casanovas, General Manager of Badalona Comunicació. All three highlighted FILMETS’ deep connection with the city, emphasizing both its international scope and its local roots.

The new artistic director, Marc Orts —a Badalona-born sound mixer with seven Goya Awards and eight Gaudí Awards— begins a new stage with a forward-looking and demanding vision. Under his leadership, FILMETS 2025 becomes a festival that celebrates emerging talent, fosters creativity, and defends cinema as a cultural and social value.

Marc Orts: “We have selected many national, Catalan, and Badalona-made films, which I think is a great success. But we also have 45 countries represented, which is incredible.”

From the local government, Rosa del Amo emphasized FILMETS as a key cultural event for the city, especially valuing its work with schools and its role in promoting new talent.

Rosa del Amo: “When Badalona plans its yearly calendar, there are certain key dates, and one of them is the celebration of the FILMETS Badalona Film Festival. FILMETS has proven to be living history of this city.”

A prestigious Official Jury

The Official Jury of FILMETS 2025 is composed of high-profile figures from the audiovisual sector, ensuring a diverse, critical, and plural perspective:

Isaki Lacuesta, director and winner of the Golden Shell and the Goya Award for Best Director.

Isa Campo, screenwriter and director of Maixabel and One Year, One Night.

Roser Aguilar, film director and educator, member of Catalunya Media City.

Gloria Fernández, journalist and critic specializing in Asian cinema.

Takuro Takeuchi, cinematographer and Gaudí Award winner for Segundo Premio.

Venus of Honour 2025: three exemplary careers

This year, the festival recognizes three major figures in film and audiovisual culture with the Venus of Honour 2025, representing three essential facets of the industry: acting, production, and sound.

Michael Minkler is one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed sound mixers, with a career spanning more than four decades. A three-time Oscar winner and recipient of numerous international awards, he has worked on iconic films such as Black Hawk Down, Chicago, and Dreamgirls. Born into a legendary sound family, he continues the legacy of his father Lee Minkler and uncle Bob Minkler, both also Oscar winners. His mastery of final mixing has set the global industry standard. Minkler has collaborated with directors like Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, and Oliver Stone. His work transforms sound into storytelling —a masterclass in cinematic emotion and immersion.

Award ceremony: Wednesday 22 October at 7:00 p.m., Teatre Zorrilla, as part of FILMETS Talks.

Aina Clotet, actress, director, and producer, has spent more than half her life dedicated to performance. With a degree in Audiovisual Communication from Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona), she has built a versatile career across film, television, and theatre, earning numerous awards, including two Silver Biznagas, a Sant Jordi Award, a Butaca Award, and two Best Actress prizes at the Toulouse Festival.

Award ceremony: Saturday 25 October at 8:00 p.m., Teatre Zorrilla, during the Night of the Venuses.

Edmon Roch, with over 25 years of experience, has produced internationally acclaimed projects such as Barcelona, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, and Seven Years in Tibet. In 2009 he wrote, directed, and produced Garbo, the Spy, which won both the Goya and Gaudí Awards for Best Documentary, as well as the Golden Giraldillo for Best European Documentary. Roch has served as Vice President of the Spanish Film Academy and as a board member of the Catalan Film Academy.

Award ceremony: Friday 17 October at 8:00 p.m., Teatre Zorrilla, during the Opening Night.

FILMETS Lab: the engine of new cinema

One of the major innovations of this edition is FILMETS Lab, a creative laboratory for training and professional networking aimed at emerging filmmakers. The finalist projects will be presented in a pitching session on 21 October 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Teatre El Círcol (Badalona). The jury, composed of professionals from the audiovisual sector, along with the organizing committee, will select the winning project from more than 50 submissions. The winning team will receive mentorship and personalized guidance in every stage of production —from scriptwriting to post-production and distribution— and will premiere their short film at the 52nd FILMETS Badalona Film Festival in 2026.

Xavier Casanovas: “FILMETS Lab is a brand-new proposal, and we’ve already received more than 50 projects. We consider that a great success.”

Another exciting addition this year is FILMETS Talks, a new program of conversations with filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals, fostering dialogue and reflection on the present and future of short cinema. In this first edition, two sessions will be moderated by Artistic Director Marc Orts:

• FILMETS TALKS. With Michael Minkler. Wednesday 22 October, 7:00 p.m., Teatre Zorrilla (Badalona).
• FILMETS TALKS. With the Official Jury: Isaki Lacuesta, Isa Campo, Gloria Fernández, Roser Aguilar, and Takuro Takeuchi — five renowned professionals from different areas of cinema: direction, screenwriting, cinematography, cultural management, and film criticism. Friday 24 October, 7:00 p.m., Teatre Zorrilla.

Both initiatives —FILMETS Lab and FILMETS Talks— complement the established FILMETS Pro industry sessions. This year’s FILMETS Pro lineup includes:

• FILMETS Pro. The Critical View. Screening and discussion (part of the Acció>Cinema project). Monday 20 October, 11:30 a.m., El Círcol (Badalona).
• FILMETS Pro. Who Does What. Producers, executive producers, and production directors in conversation. With Productors Audiovisuals de Catalunya (PAC). Wednesday 22 October, 11:30 a.m., El Círcol.
• FILMETS Pro. Animation Masterclass. With Grangel Studio, in collaboration with Pau Gargallo Art School. Thursday 23 October, 4:30 p.m., El Círcol.
• FILMETS Pro. Narratives Oriented to Platform Distribution. With Cristian Trepat, Director of Content and Programming at 3Cat, in collaboration with Catalan Audiovisual Cluster and 3Cat. Friday 24 October, 11:30 a.m., El Círcol.

An opening session of cinematic excellence

The Opening Night of FILMETS 2025, on Friday 17 October at Teatre Zorrilla, will be a true cinematic statement. This year’s selection stands out for its aesthetic richness, cultural diversity, and emotional depth. Featuring short films from Estonia, Iran, France, Spain, and Catalonia, the program celebrates the power of short storytelling:

• Sauna Day (Estonia), by Anna Hints & Tushar Prakash – a poetic and intimate portrait of male vulnerability.
• Black Scarf (Iran), by Ali Reza Shah Hosseini – a moving story about freedom and awareness. Catalan premiere.
• Mimo (Spain), by Raúl Cerezo & Carlos Moriana – a delicate, symbolic story seen through the eyes of a child.
• Soleil Gris (France), by Camille Monnier – an animated short of exceptional visual delicacy.
• Prou Bé (Catalonia), by Anna Carbonell – an elegant exploration of workplace and gender dynamics. Debut short film.
• Davi (Catalonia), by Júlia González – a touching animated story about childhood and war. World premiere.

Presented by journalist Júlia López, this session sets the tone for the festival: films that move, provoke thought, and showcase short cinema as a tool for art, critique, and human connection.

The 51st FILMETS Badalona Film Festival will screen 285 short films, 259 in competition, totalling 45 hours of cinema from 45 countries around the world — including international premieres, Spanish and Catalan debuts, and first works from new directors. As always, local talent shines brightly, with around thirty Badalona-made shorts (eight in the Official Section), proving the city’s creative vitality.

Badalona, capital of short films

FILMETS expands its official venues to Granollers and Terrassa, joining Barcelona, Sant Boi de Llobregat, and of course Badalona, becoming a truly metropolitan festival that brings short cinema to new audiences.

Still, the heart of the festival beats in Badalona. This year, screenings will take place mainly at Teatre Zorrilla and El Círcol, with additional sessions in municipal libraries, Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, Municipal Hospital, and Institut Guttmann, maintaining its open, inclusive, and free spirit.

Special sessions will once again target children and young audiences. El Círcol will host the competitive Divercurts screenings (for children) and Pantalla Jove (for teenagers), while the youngest viewers —nursery and preschool children— will enjoy Petits FILMETS. Over 5,000 students will attend morning screenings at Teatre Zorrilla for FILMETS Primary and FILMETS Secondary programs.

The festival will culminate in the Night of the Venuses on Saturday 25 October, when the winners will be announced. Hosted by presenter Òscar Dalmau, the gala will be broadcast live on Televisió de Badalona and La Xarxa+ at 8:00 p.m., and in delayed broadcast on local TV stations through La Xarxa at 10:30 p.m.

From Badalona to Brooklyn: a city of cinema… and basketball!

Among this year’s highlights, FILMETS presents the premiere of the documentary “From Badalona to Brooklyn”, a production by Badalona Comunicació, La Xarxa, and RTVE, tracing the journey of Jordi Fernández, the first Spanish head coach in the NBA — from his hometown Badalona to the New York borough. The film features appearances by Ricky Rubio, Pep Guardiola, Rudy Fernández, Anna Cruz, Jordi Villacampa, Sergio Scariolo, Mike Brown, and Juancho Hernangómez.

Premiere: Monday 27 October, 8:00 p.m., Teatre Zorrilla (Badalona).