Mini movies
For those fond of film. For those fond of shorter YouTube amusements. For those fond of both. Mecal, Barcelona’s international short film festival, brings you 10 days of little commitments. In its 12th year, Mecal’s programme of 400-some films features high art, low art, commercial art, music art, zombie art, eco art, animal art, children art—the list goes on. Mecal’s got a bit of something for everyone.
This year’s festival maintains tried and true film fest habits, but evolves its format with a smattering of inventive, even peculiar, programming. As per usual, a selection of films will be up for awards. A professional jury will select winners in the categories ‘Internacional’ (fiction and animation shorts from across the globe) and ‘Obliqua’ (shorts chosen for being innovative and creative); the public will be in charge of the ‘Documental’ winners.
The rest of the films have been divided into 15 categories, including works from a guest country (‘Bélgica’), a featured director (‘Éric Rohmer’) and last year’s awarded films (‘Palmarés’). Aliens, Dracula and the living dead get special focus in the ‘OVNI’, ‘Vampiro’ and ‘Zombi’ series, respectively. Find works from the ‘feminine universe’ in the ‘Womart’ series, computer based-works in ‘OK Computer’ and local wares in ‘Catalunya’. Music videos and advertising shorts have been programmed, as well.
Don’t confuse ‘Green’ with ‘Green Porno’—the first is eco-friendly, the second obsesses over animal sexuality in a series of Sundance Festival-produced short docs hosted by Isabella Rossellini. And, finally, in the difficult-to-define category, pay special attention to ‘Back to the Future’, a series that focuses on “the future from the point of view of past short films.” Curiouser and curiouser…
With films from more than 25 countries, Mecal 2010 will be a multi-lingual experience. Programming includes a smattering of English-language shorts and word-free films. Among those in English, we suggest you try and see Out of Our Minds (directed by Tony Stone, USA, 2009), a mini-epic that combines Vikings with car crashes; After Tomorrow (directed by Emma Sullivan, UK, 2009), a psychodrama that thrills in under 16 minutes; and Souvenirs (directed by Andy Pearson, UK, 2009), about a love triangle gone awry. For a deeper look, check out Mecal’s online programme, which includes clips and synopses of all films in competition.
Mecal 2010—International Short Film Festival of Barcelona: April 9th to 18th; Various venue; www.mecalbcn.org