Gáldar International Film Festival Unveils Its 13th Edition
Everything is set for the 13th edition of the Gáldar International Film Festival (FIC Gáldar). Under the theme “Echoes of the Future,” the festival opens its doors this Sunday, October 19th, with a full program culminating on Saturday, October 25th with its closing gala. This year marks a significant milestone, as the event has been named an official pre-selector for Spain’s prestigious Goya Awards. Mayor Teodoro Sosa described this recognition as “a reward for constant work and a passion for cinema” during the program’s presentation this Thursday.
A New Festival Hub and Expanded Program
A key new feature for this edition is the newly renovated Guaires Cultural Centre in Gáldar, which will serve as the festival’s operational base. This venue will host the free screenings of all feature films and short films competing in the Official Sections, as well as workshops and the popular “Gáldar Rueda” events. Following the excellent reception of last year’s edition, the closing gala on Saturday the 25th will be held at the Juan Vega Mateos Pavilion. The gala will be presented by Carlos del Amor and María Mendoza, alongside Fabiola Acosta, Rubén Castellano, and Adrián Cruz, and will be broadcast on a delayed basis by RTVE’s La 2.
A Stellar Lineup of Special Guests
This year’s festival boasts a first-rate roster of guests for its closing gala. Among the highlights is the multi-talented Salva Reina, the fresh 2025 Goya Award winner for Best Supporting Actor for “El 47.” A beloved face on the small screen for series like Allí Abajo, Sabuesos, and Muertos S.L., he has also starred in hits such as Hasta que la boda nos separe and El mejor verano de mi vida.
Another distinguished guest is Claudia Salas, the charismatic Rebeca from Netflix’s hit series Élite. Also known for her roles in La Peste and Centro Médico, she has been widely acclaimed for her performance in Carlota Martínez-Pereda’s film Cerdita.
The guest list is further strengthened by Manu Baqueiro, one of Spain’s most beloved and versatile actors, unforgettable for his role as Marcelino in Amar en tiempos revueltos and Amar es para siempre. He has since showcased his range in programs like MasterChef Celebrity and Tu cara me suena.
Also attending is Alejandro Albarracín, a staple of the theatre scene and a popular face from productions like Sueños De Libertad, Élite, and El Inocente for Netflix, as well as 4 estrellas, Amar es para siempre for TVE, and Tierra de lobos.
Rounding out this impressive ensemble is Daniel Tatay, known for playing Andrés de la Reina in Sueños de Libertad. He has participated in notable productions like Félix Sabroso’s Mentiras Pasajeras, the historical Amazon Prime series El Cid, and Acacias 38. His film credits include El juego de las llaves and Hollyblood.
Celebrating Cinema and Canarian Talent
At the gala, Canarian actress Kira Miró will receive the Guayarmina de Honor 2025 award. Festival director Ruth Armas emphasized the importance of this recognition, stating, “It’s wonderful that we Canarians remember our own to award our work.” Armas also highlighted the presence of “top-level actors and actresses, as well as directors and audiovisual professionals as jury members and workshop speakers,” noting that the festival’s reputation for quality is now firmly established.
Positioning Gáldar as a Cinematic Destination
Mayor Teodoro Sosa emphasized the festival’s formative and participatory essence, calling it “the soul of FIC.” He also underscored that “Gáldar is establishing itself as a genuine film destination, thanks also to the shootings we host all year round,” recalling that “in recent weeks we have welcomed stars of the caliber of Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta, which demonstrates our potential.”
For Guacimara Medina, Councillor of Culture for the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, this festival is “a key opportunity to position the Canary Islands territory, the north of Gran Canaria, and Gáldar in particular, with cultural content rooted in the land and hand-in-hand with the audiovisual sector. It has a multiplier effect in the cultural, economic, and alternative quality tourism spheres for Gran Canaria.”
Julio Mateo Castillo, Gáldar’s Councillor for Culture, highlighted the special nature of this year’s FIC. “We are inaugurating a Guaires Cultural Centre that will look more beautiful than ever. We will have over 800 participants between school screenings and workshops, more than 800 submitted works, and we expect a new record for ‘Gáldar Rueda’. The health of the festival continues to rise without ever sidelining quality. Organizing a festival of this magnitude with a budget of 120,000 euros is only possible with a public administration like a city council, non-profit, whose benefit is the social benefit of betting on culture.”
