With the screenings set to begin in a week, Benissa en Corto has unveiled the program for its second edition, which will bring together 43 short films and nearly 140 actors, actresses, directors, screenwriters and other audiovisual professionals.The festival will kick off on Monday, August 31st and will culminate on Saturday, September 5th with the red carpet, the awards ceremony and a party open to the public.
The program was presented this Monday at a press conference in which the following participated: Pere Font, director of the festival; Raúl Martínez and Maria Mas, members of the organizing team; the mayor of Benissa, Arthur Pocket; and Ximo Crespo, representative of the El Rall restaurant, official sponsor.
The Basque actor will be the patron of the event. Unax Ugalde and will feature activities throughout the week in different locations in Benissa. One of the main new features will be the relocation of the gala from the Taller d'Ivars to the new Maria Crespo Font square, next to the new Town Hall, with the aim of expanding capacity and facilitating attendance for residents and visitors.
43 short films and free screenings throughout the week
The core of the program will once again be the screenings of the selected works. On Monday, August 31, Tuesday, September 1, and Wednesday, September 2, there will be two sessions daily, at 19:00 p.m. and 22:00 p.m.On Thursday the 3rd, only the 19:00 pm showing will take place.
The sessions will be free, although it will be necessary to pick up tickets in advance due to capacity limitations. Tickets can be collected from Tuesday, August 25th at Les Cases del Batlle and the screening room box office will open half an hour before the start of each session.
During these screenings, the presence of some of the actors, actresses, and directors linked to the selected short films is also planned, thus reinforcing one of the organization's aspirations: that Benissa en Corto not only exhibits films, but also allows contact between the public and professionals.
Unax Ugalde will have his star behind the basilica
Friday, September 4th will be dedicated especially to the godfather of this second edition. Unax Ugalde will unveil his star at 19:00 p.m. in the space located behind the Puríssima Xiqueta Basilica, thus consolidating the Godfather Star as one of the identifying elements of the festival.
The program will then move to one of the municipality's best-known coastal locations. At 22:00 p.m., on Fustera beach, Ugalde will present the film "The Good News".
The choice of La Fustera also reflects the festival's intention to bring the cinema outside the halls and take advantage of the event to showcase different spaces in Benissa.
The Rall will bring together the festival professionals
Friday's session will also include a section dedicated to meetings between professionals. The El Rall restaurant, official sponsor of Benissa en Corto, will hold a private cocktail party between 20:00 pm and 22:00 pm for guests connected to the film industry.
Ximo Crespo explained during the presentation that the establishment is once again facing its participation with "great enthusiasm" and highlighted the work done to prepare the day dedicated to film professionals.
After the screening at the Fustera, Starting at 23:30 p.m., El Rall will open the party to the general public, with The music liveso that attendees can share the space with some of the actors, directors, producers, and other professionals who have traveled to Benissa. "Once again, we're on this great adventure, and we hope it goes perfectly," Crespo said during the presentation.
The gala leaves the Taller d'Ivars and moves to the Maria Crespo Font square
The big logistical development will arrive on Saturday, September 5th. The Closing Gala will begin at 20:00 p.m. in the new Maria Crespo Font square, after the growth of the festival led the organization to leave behind the Taller d'Ivars.
The change will allow the event to be held outdoors and increase audience attendance. There will be invitations reserved for collaborators and representatives of the audiovisual industry, but An area with uninvitated access will also be available until capacity is reached..
Raúl Martínez will return for the second year to direct and present the ceremony. He promised a "very special" gala, full of surprises and with his characteristic "mischievous" sense of humor. The ceremony will be the stage where the winners of the second edition are announced, following a red carpet event where the festival's invited professionals will walk the red carpet.
A gala with a "Benissa flavor"
Beyond the awards, the organization wants to maintain a strong local presence throughout the evening. The gala will include performances by singers and musicians from Benissa, a commitment intended to ensure that the event maintains its connection with the municipality despite its growing international reach.
Martínez also wanted to highlight the people who work behind the scenes to make the festival possible. "This gala is possible thanks to the efforts of many anonymous people who aren't here today, our friends, who have joined us and are preparing it with so much love," he emphasized. The presenter described the ceremony as "a night with a strong Benissa flavor" and assured everyone that this year's red carpet aims to surpass last year's.
After the awards ceremony, The square itself will host a party open to the public with musical performances, a tribute to "La Oreja de Van Gogh" and DJ Dario Giner, in addition to other surprises prepared by the organization.
Nearly 140 audiovisual professionals
The growth of Benissa en Corto is especially reflected in its guest list. The organization spoke during the presentation of around 140 professionals linked to the audiovisual industry, after having received over 120 confirmations during the preparation for the meeting.
Pere Font acknowledged that interest has exceeded available capacity and that the organizers have had to decline some requests to attend due to both capacity limitations and accommodation options. Among the expected professionals will be actors, actresses, directors, producers, screenwriters and directors of photography, among other profiles related to filmmaking.
The organization aims precisely to use this diversity to make Benissa en Corto a professional meeting point. "Our goal is for our festival to be a hub for all categories of filmmaking, a place to establish contacts and for opportunities and projects to emerge. We want the Benissa en Corto festival to create cinema," Font summarized.
Octavi Pujades, Ferran Gadea, Vanessa Cano, Carolina Bona and Rafael Fernández, on the jury
The jury will be composed of Octavi Pujades, Ferran Gadea, Vanessa Cano, Carolina Bona and Rafael FernándezThe second edition will also strengthen Valencian representation and the presence of professionals connected to the Alicante region and province. Among the names announced by the organizers are Rosana Pastor, Nacho Fresneda, Jaime Pujol, Héctor Juezas and Fran Berenguer, along with other established and emerging talents.
The aim, as explained by the organization, is to give visibility to both established figures and actors and actresses who are taking their first steps, with special attention to talent from Valencia, Alicante and the surrounding region.
Interest from London and France and an eye on a future international award
The scope of the competition is also beginning to transcend national borders. The organizers explained that They have received expressions of interest from London and France., although Benissa en Corto does not yet have a fully developed international section.
This interest has led the team to consider a new possibility for future editions: study the creation of an international award This will allow the festival to broaden its reach and include works and professionals from other countries. The organizers believe this international response demonstrates the event's growth potential after just two editions.
A festival sustained by public and private collaboration and the work of volunteers
Arturo Poquet, mayor of Benissa, highlighted the growth experienced by the festival in just one year and noted that Benissa en Corto has become one of the municipality's most important cultural events. "In a week, Benissa will become the epicenter of cinema," stated the mayor, who maintained that, after the success of the first edition, The second one arrives with even higher expectations.Poquet also emphasized the people who work behind the scenes and the collaboration between the City Council, the organization, companies private and volunteer.
The mayor expressly thanked them for their work Pere Font, Raúl Martínez and Maria Masas well as the collaboration of El Rall and the other companies and collaborators involved. He also acknowledged the work of Pepa Bertomeu, councilor of Culture, and Marisa Ortolà, from the municipal Department of Culture, in the preparations for this second edition.
