20 years of cinema

It is a very special moment for us because during all this time there have been many enriching experiences that we have had to live despite some moments of mixed feelings. When in 2003 we decided to turn the small short film contest that we had been doing into a film festival, we did not imagine that it would last so long, although it was surely in our thoughts and wishes. Two decades have passed in which we have witnessed the cultural transformation of cinema itself due to the interruption of new technologies, to which our festival has been no stranger, but we have also suffered the economic vicissitudes of the 2008 financial crisis, the Covid’19 pandemic and the current crisis, which have prevented us from growing as we would have liked.

Now it’s our birthday and it’s time to remember the good times, try to forget the bad times and reflect on what would be the most appropriate destination for an event that we consider necessary for our city but that requires a significant economic boost and a more efficient organizational structure. professionalized, if we want it to have a future in the short and medium term. We cannot forget that, in addition to being a cultural event with a great social commitment, we are part of the film industry and as such we must recover meetings and professional visits, increase prizes in competitions to improve international participation, without losing sight of the search for new talents, and to return to celebrating galas and film parties because glamor is also important in an event of this type.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary, we have prepared an exhibition with all the love in the world, to remember and thank through images many of the people who have accompanied us at some point in our journey: filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, representatives of collaborating entities and sponsors, musicians, artists, presenters, juries, selection committees, volunteers… We will also be able to see original documents such as posters, programs, magazines and diverse graphic material.

As cinema is moving image, a retrospective of some of the best films awarded in the official competition sections could not be missing, as well as a selection of our cinema, because we have always defended our roots and have tried to be a meeting place and a showcase for the presentation of the audiovisual works of our local filmmakers.

This year, we will also be able to recover one of the most emblematic sections of the Festival, suspended due to the pandemic, such as Menuda Session, the children’s film section aimed at schools in our environment, where future viewers are trained, and We will also resume the public vote to award the Retina awards, one of our hallmarks.

Thank you all for continuing to trust in “My Retina Tricks Me” and happy 20th anniversary.

Antonio Donís

Director of the Ponferrada International Film Festival