The Cabildo of Lanzarote, through the Department of Culture, directed by Jesús Machín, presents the 25th edition of the Lanzarote International Film Festival (FICL), which will be held from May 15 to 24 with an ambitious and diverse program that reinforces its role as one of the main cultural references of the archipelago. The program of this commemorative edition has been designed to pay tribute to the festival's trajectory and its commitment to the seventh art.
During the presentation, Councilor Samuel Martín apologized for the absence of the Councilor of Culture Jesús Machín, and expressed that "this Festival, which celebrates a quarter of a century, once again places Lanzarote at the epicenter of national and international culture, and from the Cabildo we reiterate our support for an event that has evolved to consolidate itself as one of the unmissable events for film lovers, not only in the Canary Islands, but in Spain."
For his part, the director of the FICL, Ismael Curbelo, explained during the presentation that "it will be ten days in which the island becomes a meeting point for filmmakers, industry professionals, students and lovers of the seventh art, with activities ranging from screenings and workshops to competitions and inclusive actions."
A first-class film program
More than 60 films will be screened during this May at El Almacén, the “El Salinero” Theater, the San Bartolomé Theater, the Tías Theater and the Atlántida Multiplexes. The heart of the festival is its official sections: National Fiction, International Fiction, Animation, Documentary and Canary Shorts.
These screenings bring the public closer to some of the most innovative productions on the current scene, with works from numerous countries. The screenings will take place in El Almacén between May 19 and 23 from 6:00 p.m. In addition, as every year, there will be screenings of feature films that can be enjoyed both in El Almacén and in the Teatro de San Bartolomé.
Competitions to encourage creativity
The Festival also supports emerging talent through competitions that stimulate the active participation of citizens. The VII Short Exprés Contest, a challenge to create a complete short film in just five days and lasting only 4 minutes. It will begin on May 12 and end on May 18 with the awards ceremony at Cines Atlántida in Arrecife. In the same place and day, we will also enjoy the awards ceremony of the VIII School Short Film Contest, aimed at educational centers on the islands.
Lovers of graphic and plastic arts also have their place with the Film Mural Contest. In addition, this will be the first year of the Film Window Dressing Contest, promoted by the Department of Commerce of the Arrecife City Council.
Jury and guests of the Lanzarote Festival 2025
In this 25th edition, the jury that will assess the shorts in the national category will include the famous actors Mina El Hammani, Miguel Ángel Muñoz and Raúl Maro; in the international shorts category, the actor Rubén Cortada, the actress Loreto Mauleón and the Canarian actor Yeray Betancor. For their part, the Canarian actress Michelle Calvó and the national actors Antonio Hortelano and Sergi López will assess the documentary shorts. The actor Críspulo Cabezas, the anti-racist social activist and artist from Lanzarote Laura Balde Ejjar and the Spanish actress María Esteve, will do the same with the shorts in the animation category.
And for the Canary Shorts category, the actor Carlos Serrano Fuentes, the digital creator Agustín González and the prestigious journalist Yolanda Flores. The festival will include a talk with all the guests and a closing ceremony, both of which will take place on May 24.
And from May 28, you can visit the photographic exhibition 25 years of cinema, at the Agustín de La Hoz Cultural Center in Arrecife, which collects anecdotes from the Festival since its inception.
This film event is organized by Fisme Producciones with the sponsorship of the Department of Culture of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Government of the Canary Islands, Canary Island Films, Canarian Institute of Cultural Development and the Lanzarote Foreign Promotion Society through its product brand Lanzarote Film Commission, Promotur Turismo de Canarias, Arrecife City Council and Art, Culture and Tourism Centers.
