The festival has reached full capacity at almost every screening in the ‘Young Greta Gerwig’ cycle, the Youth Audiovisual Meeting, Cinema Jove Meets and Cinema Kids

València (06.07.26). Cinema Jove, the international film festival of the Valencian Community organised by the Regional Ministry of Education, Culture and Universities and promoted by the Valencian Institute of Culture (IVC), has reached full capacity in virtually every screening of the ‘Young Greta Gerwig’ cycle at the Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània (CCCC), as well as at the Youth Audiovisual Meeting and the two new initiatives introduced this year, Cinema Jove Meets and Cinema Kids, during its 41st edition.

Under the leadership of its new director, María Albiñana, this latest edition of the festival has been more than just a transitional one; it has been a statement of intent. “We have strengthened the official sections and enhanced them through meetings with the teams behind the selected works and, above all, through a programme of round-table discussions focused on issues that are fundamental to the present and future of the audiovisual sector,” she said.

The topics covered in these complementary activities included the current debate on the use of artificial intelligence, international co-productions, animation in short films directed by women, the international curation and distribution of feature films, as well as the presentation of the first statistical study on the state of short films in Spain, ‘Spanish Short Films in 50 Facts’.

According to Albiñana, one of the successes of this edition was the creation of Cinema Jove Meets, which aimed to connect local talent with the international circuit. The new networking space for industry professionals filled all available places as soon as registration opened.

“Its outstanding reception confirms the need to create stable networking spaces, not only to strengthen the Valencian audiovisual industry but also to encourage exchange and the creation of synergies among the international guests participating in our different sections,” the director explained.

Another objective set by the new director was to bring the festival closer to younger audiences. To this end, the new Cinema Kids section was launched, filling theatres with children aged between three and nine, who shared the festival experience with their families. “Cinema Kids has proved that this was the right path. If we want to guarantee the future of Cinema Jove, we must begin by nurturing the interest of those who will become its audience in the years to come,” she said.

An edition marked by intergenerational dialogue

The new director brought with her extensive experience linked to the festival, where she headed the series section for 11 years, with a strong commitment to internationalisation and the full representation of society as a whole.

“This edition has been characterised by participation, dialogue and coexistence among generations and very diverse perspectives. Our theatres have been filled with young audiences who actively took part in the discussions, asking questions and sharing reflections with the invited filmmakers. That curiosity, critical thinking and eagerness to learn are undoubtedly among the greatest reasons to be optimistic about the future of cinema,” Albiñana said.

Likewise, this edition of Cinema Jove also succeeded in bringing back an older audience, who shared their concerns, experience and understanding of cinema with younger generations.

“That intergenerational dialogue has been key to enriching the festival and turning Cinema Jove into a meeting place where different perspectives have been able to listen to one another, complement each other and learn from one another, because Cinema Jove is not only for young people, but for anyone who has a youthful outlook on the world in general, and on cinema in particular,” the new director added.

In this regard, the festival management introduced an active listening initiative through a suggestion box installed at the festival. This has enabled the collection of impressions, proposals and comments from audiences. “Listening to the people who make Cinema Jove possible is my absolute priority as we continue building a festival that is increasingly participatory and connected to its community,” she stressed.

A Strengthened Young Filmmakers Residency

This year, the promotion of emerging talent will take a new direction towards a more practical format focused on the technical and commercial viability of participants’ projects. The Residency will move to a new venue at LABA Valencia and will host an intensive programme in September for young filmmakers Abril Catalina Beascoechea, David Sendín, Irene Roig and André Brugnara, under the mentorship of Gabi Ochoa and Begoña Soler.

Over four days, creative writing sessions will be combined with workshops on financing and project pitching, concluding with a speed-meeting session with production companies.

“It is an honour to take on the direction of this 41st edition and, together with my team, contribute to continuing the story of Cinema Jove. I trust that this edition has laid the foundations for an even more open, more international festival, connected to new generations while never giving up the essence that has made it, for more than four decades, a benchmark for cinema with a youthful perspective,” María Albiñana concluded.