XIV Ponferrada International Film Festival is our annual appointment with the seventh art. And this year becoming, if possible, the most international meeting ever. 59 countries have participated in this edition, which supposes a 40% of foreign origin works.

The Festival addresses themes concerning social reality, awareness, reflection and analysis of today’s society. But it is also pure entertainment or titles for children, University students, students of languages or the elderly, etc. Also, a space for the innovation thanks to the creation of El Bierzo Audiovisual Files, which will pick up materials of our region in any format and will be online for the public.

This year “Raining Stones”, one of Ken Loach’s masterpieces, will serve as an inspiration for the 14th Festival. A world in which losers have a leading role, where social awareness is not part of the set but real and where all of us, without distinction, are actors and spectators.

The Festival has the support of the city of Ponferrada because it is considered to be a part of the cultural heritage of our municipality, active and future-proof. The public will have the chance to interact through their votes in the Culture Centre after the screenings to establish the Retina Award.

In 2016 the participation record has been beaten thanks to 887 films between official and parallel sections and a total of 80 films selected. I congratulate the Festival organisation and encourage them to keep filling the retinas of our city with magic every autumn.

María Antonia Gancedo López
Councillor for Education, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Festivals.
City Council of Ponferrada