As summer draws to a close, September eases us into autumn with some of Catalunya's most interesting and eclectic film festivals—starting off with a relatively new addition to the film festival scene.
L'HIFF Barcelona International Film Festival
September 6-10, 2022, Cinema Maldà, Barcelona
With both short and feature length indie films, L’HIFF International Film Festival is a relatively new addition to Barcelona's festival scene. Showcasing cinema from around the world, the festival screens works from emerging directors alongside those of experienced creators in three distinct categories: general (action), LGBTI, and terror and drama. Not only does the festival showcase great films, it allows like-minded people to connect through their love of cinema with networking events, talks, panels, workshops and guest speakers. Last year's festival had over 375 films and this year's program is shaping up to be just as impressive. This year's confirmed feature-length films include They Don't Cast Shadows (Melissa Goad, USA), Caged Butterflies (Ashish Nehra, India) and Abismo ( Rafa Belmont Casado, Spain). lhifilmfestival.com
Nicolas Cage in Vampire's Kiss.
B-Retina: B-Film Festival in Cornellà
September 16-18, 2022, Auditori Biblioteca Sant Ildefons, Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona
Dedicated to promoting B movies in Catalunya, B-Retina is all about horror and thriller films. The festival champions the work of emerging talent in the industry, which otherwise would never make it to the big screen. The theme for the festival’s seventh edition is “God Save the Cage.” The program includes films like Vampire’s Kiss (1988) by Robert Bierman and The Wicker Man (2006) by Neil LaBute. All tickets must be purchased in advance online, with all-day tickets starting at €8 and full-access tickets priced at €35. Located just outside the city, the festival is easily accessible by metro (L5) and by train (R1, R4). b-retina.cat
Image courtesy of CLAM Festival.
CLAM International Social Film Festival
September 23-October 2, 2022, the festival is celebrated in Navarcles, Manresa and Sant Fruitós de Bages.
Since 2004, the International Social Film Festival in Catalunya (CLAM) has promoted and showcased the values of solidarity, human rights and civil rights through the art of cinema. The festival’s aim is to focus on high-quality film committed to real life, serving as a point of reflection and debate on social issues. The program includes numerous film screenings focused on solidarity; screenings are complemented by parallel activities from a range artistic and cultural disciplines, including lectures, conferences, exhibitions, professional master-classes, theater performances and concerts. clamfestival.org
Photo by Gala Espin, courtesy of the Terra Gollut Film Festival.
Terra Gollut Film Festival
Sep 23-Oct 9, 2022, sessions are held in various towns in Catalunya.
Named for the long-gone "dwarves" of Golluts de Ribes in acknowledgment of a people who were maligned for looking different, the Terra Gollut Film Festival showcases cinema that strives for social transformation. Cinema is a powerful tool that can transform consciousness, habits and attitudes. With this in mind, the festival includes activities that delve deep into the the films' topics to help viewers get a greater understanding of them, including testimonials, discussion boards, forums and educational workshops. terragollut.com