Marking its 70th anniversary from October 24 to November 1, Spain’s Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid, known as Seminci, continues to embrace the future while honoring its legacy. This renowned film festival, the country’s second oldest, showcases new voices and reflects evolving film industry dynamics without dwelling on nostalgia.
José Luis Cienfuegos, Seminci’s director, emphasizes the festival’s dynamic nature, stating,
“We didn’t want a nostalgic edition,”
and describes it as,
“a luminous edition, in movement — a festival of filmmakers and for filmmakers.”
A Diverse and Ambitious Film Program
Featuring an impressive lineup of 225 titles and 137 premieres, including 104 Spanish and 29 world premieres, the 70th Valladolid Festival stands as a formidable platform for auteur cinema in Europe. The festival combines established international figures like Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Lav Díaz, Kelly Reichardt, Pietro Marcello, Ildikó Enyedi, Christian Petzold, László Nemes, and Gianfranco Rosi with emerging Spanish filmmakers, creating a vibrant cinematic conversation.
Antonio Saura, CEO of Latido Films, highlights the festival’s renewed boldness under Cienfuegos, stating:
“Under Cienfuegos’ direction, Valladolid has gained a more auteur-driven and provocative edge in its film selection.”
Notable Films in Competition
The official competition features 24 titles, including world premieres from Spanish filmmakers. Rafael Cobos, acclaimed for co-writing Alberto Rodríguez’s award-winning films Marshland and The Plague, makes his directorial debut with the thriller Golpes. Fernando Franco returns with Subsuelo, a psychological drama following his successful debut, The Wounded, which earned the Special Jury Prize at San Sebastián.
Carlos Saiz presents Lionel, an emotional road movie exploring a father-son bond, produced in Spain in collaboration with France’s Promenades Films. David Trueba’s Always Winter will close the festival, while Judith Colell’s Frontera, a thriller set during Spain’s post-Civil War era, adds historical depth. Altogether, 13 world premieres of Spanish films will be showcased.
The festival opens with Three Goodbyes by longtime favorite Isabel Coixet, a Spanish-Italian adaptation of Michela Murgia’s novel Tre Ciotole, blending reflections on life, food, and memory. This marks Coixet’s third time opening Seminci, after The Bookshop (2017) and It Snows in Benidorm (2020).
International Stars and Special Screenings
Internationally acclaimed directors and films further elevate the festival’s status. Noteworthy selections include Ildikó Enyedi’s Silent Friend, Kristen Stewart’s The Chronology of Water, Shu Qi’s Girl, Mascha Schilinski’s Sound of Falling, Gabriel Mascaró’s The Blue Trail, and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, which will be screened out of competition as a special event.
Maintaining a clear vision, Cienfuegos emphasizes that Seminci remains
“a programmed and curated festival, not a container,”
fostering a sense of belonging for filmmakers.
Honoring artistic contribution and audience connection, the festival will confer two Spikes of Honor to French actress-filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve and Spanish actor Luis Callejo for their distinguished careers bridging creativity and popular appeal.
Spain’s Flourishing Cinema at Seminci
Seminci remains a vital platform for Spanish cinema, with 19 feature films and 13 short films this year illustrating the industry’s expanding range and ambition. Emerging directors like Carlos Solano (Leo & Lou), Ana Serret (Apuntes para una ficción consentida), and Irene Iborra (Olivia y el terremoto invisible) represent a new wave blending innovation with accessibility, supported by indie producers invigorating Spain’s cinematic revival.
Festival director Cienfuegos highlights the balance between experimental filmmaking and popular appeal as central to Seminci’s identity. He points to successes like The Teacher Who Promised the Sea, a 2023 discovery that became a commercial hit in Spain during his tenure.
Valladolid serves as a discovery hub, bridging prestigious auteur cinema just weeks after San Sebastián and preparing films for the awards season.
Seminci’s Deep Humanist Roots
Originally founded in 1956 as a religious film week, Seminci evolved into a flagship for socially conscious cinema in Spain. Its humanist foundations, influenced by figures like Rossellini and Ken Loach, continue to inform its programming focusing on migration, identity, gender, and ecological issues. Dedicated sections such as Punto de Encuentro spotlight films with commercial promise, while Tiempo de Historia focuses on nonfiction works.
Cienfuegos reflects on the festival’s enduring role, saying,
“Seminci was a gateway for realism and a space for debate even during the dictatorship. That’s part of its DNA.”
This commitment to engagement sustains Seminci as one of Europe’s most socially aware auteur festivals.
Fostering the Next Generation of Filmmakers and Audiences
Beyond film screenings, Seminci invests significantly in education and audience development. Two of Spain’s top film schools, Madrid’s ECAM and Catalonia’s ESCAC, receive Honorary Spikes this year, recognizing their role in nurturing fresh talent. The festival’s support extends to the Young4Film network, a European initiative focused on building connections between creators and new audiences.
“You can’t program Seminci without understanding its history,”
Cienfuegos adds.
“Knowledge is what allows us to keep moving forward.”
Industry Engagement and Festival Evolution
Alongside its artistic endeavors, Seminci has strengthened its professional side through the Merci Independent Film Market, the La Meseta development lab, and the Europa Cinemas Audience Lab. These initiatives position Valladolid as a key late-season destination for industry networking and strategic discussions.
Cienfuegos concludes,
“We’ve built a solid foundation around auteur film. Now we’re adding new generations.”
Antonio Saura notes the festival’s unique position in Spain’s film ecosystem, stating,
“Valladolid has long been a very comfortable and genuinely useful festival for the industry — that’s a rare balance.”
As Seminci embarks on its eighth decade, it continues to serve both as a guardian of cinema’s conscience and a launchpad for cinematic renewal, with Kristen Stewart’s participation symbolizing its vibrant, future-focused spirit.
