The Lanzarote International Film Festival (FICL) celebrates its 25th anniversary from May 15 to 24, 2025, consolidated as one of the benchmarks for short films in Spain. Organized by the Culture Area of the Cabildo of Lanzarote and Fisme Producciones, the festival made public last Monday, April 21, the selection of short films that will compete in its International Short Film Competition, with filmmakers from all over the world.
The Councilor for Culture of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Jesús Machín Tavío, has highlighted that "the Lanzarote International Film Festival celebrates a quarter of a century consolidated as a reference space for the promotion of critical thinking and audiovisual education on our island. From the Cabildo we will continue to support cultural projects that dialogue with citizens, promote talent and reinforce the role of Lanzarote as a cultural epicenter."
Of the 2,780 works received, from 115 countries, 63 short films have been selected to compete in the categories of National Fiction, International Fiction, Animation, Documentary, Canary Islands Shorts and Children's Short Films (aimed at audiences between 3 and 17 years old). The screenings will take place from May 19 to 23, as a prelude to the Closing Gala. Each work will be eligible for an official prize of €1,500.
Spain on stage: the national short film vibrates in Lanzarote
The National Short Film section celebrates the diversity and vitality of Spanish cinema in this edition, with 17 works in competition. New talents and established filmmakers address contemporary issues from fresh, risky and personal perspectives.
Among the selected titles are La mort de Jesús Martínez “Nota”, Solo Yo by Laia Rodas, Insalvable by Javier Marco, Discordia by Álvaro Amate and Piel Fina by Antonio Muñoz De Mesa. Also provocative proposals such as El arte de cagar by Jose Rodríguez or Quinqui by Luis Saavedra. Works that move, question and provoke reflection, consolidating this section as one of the most anticipated of the contest.
Canarian talent takes center stage on the XXV anniversary
The Canary Islands Shorts category is once again a sample of the emerging and consolidated talent of the islands. Nine works have been selected, reflecting the aesthetic, narrative and geographical diversity of the archipelago.
Among the titles, Las Noches Rotas by Valentino R. Sandoli, La Mancha by Nacho Peña Ahedo, Los Muchachos by Alejandro Artiles and La Isla Errante by Pablo Borges. The section is completed by the titles, Esa Vocecilla by Carlos Acosta, Drowned by Damián Ramos Díaz, El Jable by Bruno Atkinson, S.S by Lionel Marrero and Mateo and Minguito by Néstor Garma.
Global cinema in the international section
Fifteen short films from various countries make up the category of Best International Fiction Short. Works that explore different realities with unique styles that range from the intimate to the political, the poetic or the experimental.
Some highlights are Secuencia by Claudia H. Castellano (Colombia), La Cascada by Pablo Delgado Sánchez (Mexico), A Summer's End Poem by Lam Can-zhao (China), Chang Dong by Yuan Yuan (USA), SETTE SETTIMANE by Enrico Acciani (Italy) and Nothing But The Truth by Hamoun Dolatshahi (USA).
They are accompanied by HATCH (Canada) and Barlebas (Netherlands), in a program that confirms the dynamism of contemporary international short films.
The documentary is strong at FICL 2025
Ten documentaries explore personal, social and political issues with sensitivity and depth. Highlights include Lagun by Juan Larrañaga and Volver Cantando by Lázaro Louzao. Also La Conversación que nunca tuvimos by Cristina Urgel and También Lo Siento by Ignacio Marín.
Works such as El mal d’Hèrcules, made by young filmmakers, or Vollúpya by Éri Sarmet and Jocimar Dias Jr. (Brazil), demonstrate the power of documentary as a tool for reflection and debate.
Animation for adults: unlimited creativity
Twelve animated short films for adult audiences propose complex, emotional and provocative themes, with an extraordinary visual richness. Highlights include Free the Chickens by Matúš Vizár (Slovakia), Le Chevreuil by Delphine Priet-Mahéo (France), Unliked by Pablo Jiménez Gallardo (Spain) and Awaiting the Lightning Bolt by Marco Russo (Italy).
The section is completed by CARMELA by Vicente Mallols and Periquitos by Alex Rey, among others, reaffirming that animation is also a territory for social criticism and introspection.
Audience Award and open participation
As every year, the public will be able to vote for their favorite short film and award the Audience Award during the screenings, which will take place from May 19 to 23, 2025 at the El Almacén Cultural Innovation Center, Arrecife.
Since its recognition as a qualifying festival for the Goya Awards in 2016 and recently for the Fugaz Awards, the FICL maintains its national and international relevance, providing winners with direct access to these prestigious awards.
Organized by Fisme Producciones, it is sponsored by the Culture Area of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Government of the Canary Islands, Canary Island Films, Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development, Society for the External Promotion of Lanzarote through the Lanzarote Film Commission, Promotur Turismo de Canarias, Arrecife City Council and Art, Culture and Tourism Centers.
