The Skyline Benidorm Film Festival begins to shape the map of its tenth edition. From April 18 to 25, Benidorm will once again become a meeting point for the best short films, and the festival has now unveiled its National Official Section, one of the most anticipated parts of the program.
This first selection makes one thing clear: Spanish short films are experiencing one of their strongest moments, both creatively and internationally.
The Official Section brings together a combination of established voices and emerging talents, with filmmakers such as Mabel Lozano, Lara Izagirre, Lucía G. Romero, Carmen Córdoba, Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, Javier Marco, Polo Menárguez and Nacho Solana, in a program that embraces a diversity of styles and themes.
Among the selected titles are “10 metros sobre tierra”, by Irene Baqué, an intimate portrait about memory and reconstruction; “Abril, hoy no es invierno”, by Mabel Lozano, an award-winning documentary; and “Casi septiembre”, by Lucía G. Romero, following its screenings at Berlinale Shorts and Seminci.
Also standing out are internationally acclaimed works such as “El fantasma de la quinta”, by James A. Castillo, shortlisted for the Oscars and widely awarded at fantasy film festivals, and “Talk me”, by Joecar Hanna, executive produced by Spike Lee and awarded at the Málaga Film Festival and TIFF.
The selection is completed with films that explore social and intimate themes from different perspectives, such as “El color gris”, by Marina Velázquez Benítez; “La huella del barro”, by Rodrigo Márquez; “Tú no”, by Marta Albert González; and “Una vocal”, by Polo Menárguez, which received the Silver Biznaga for Best Actress (Sonia Almarcha and Mirela Balić) at the Málaga Film Festival.
Valencian talent and premieres also play a key role, with titles such as “Cotton candy”, by Adán Aliaga; “La hora escrita”, by Coke Arijo; and “María Rita”, by Juan Barbazán, all premiering in the Valencian Community, as well as “El regalo”, by Lara Izagirre, which will premiere in Alicante. Also featured is “Pálpito”, by Marisa Crespo and Moisés Romera, one of the most outstanding Valencian short films of the year with an impressive festival run.
Animation and formal experimentation are also present with titles such as “Cap al cel”, by Nicolás Sole; “Lucus”, by David Fidalgo Omil; and “Porque hoy es sábado”, by Alice Eça Guimarães, confirming the wide range of approaches in this year’s selection.
The line-up is completed by films such as “Pipiolos”, by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo; “Polígono X”, by Néstor López; “Tenéis que verlo”, by Nacho Solana; “Ingrid”, by Raquel Colera; “Insalvable”, by Javier Marco; “Pinchu es así”, by Carmen Córdoba; “Retrato de un hombre en perspectiva abstracta”, by Pedro González Bermúdez; “Los chicos con las chicas”, by Claudia García de Mateos; and “La última canción”, by María Lorente-Becerra, among others.
A growing edition
“We are very happy with this year’s selection. It has been especially difficult to choose, because the level was extremely high,” says Beatriz Hernández, festival director.
“The numbers are record-breaking, but they also come with responsibility. They show that there is a creative community that trusts Skyline, and that pushes us to keep improving.”
This 10th edition comes with outstanding figures:
- 756 short films submitted
• 760 scripts submitted
• 61 Shortpitch projects
The countdown begins
The announcement of the National Official Section marks the beginning of the full program rollout. From now until the festival starts, Skyline Benidorm Film Festival will continue unveiling its sections.
In the coming weeks, the Ibero-American and International Official Sections will be announced, as well as the special contents of this edition, which will feature Mexico as the guest country.
This focus will bring representatives from the Morelia International Film Festival, the Guadalajara Film Festival and the Jalisco Film Commission, with the support of Casa de México in Madrid and institutions such as IMCINE.
“When we started, Skyline was a very small showcase, almost a meeting point. Ten years later, seeing what it has become is emotional, but it also pushes us to keep taking care of every detail. This 10th edition is very special, but we see it as a starting point.” concludes Beatriz Hernández, Festival Director.
Skyline Benidorm Film Festival
🎬 April 18 — 25 · Benidorm
🔗 skylinefest.es
Full list of short films in the National Official Section 2026:
- “10 metros sobre tierra”, by Irene Baqué. Produced by: La Selva. Ecosistema creatiu
- “Abril, hoy no es invierno”, by Mabel Lozano. Produced by: Mafalda Entertainment & Videoreport Canarias
- “Cap al cel”, by Nicolás Sole. Produced by: Shoji Films
- “Casi septiembre”, by Lucía G. Romero. Produced by: ESCAC Films
- “Cotton candy”, by Adán Aliaga. Produced by: Jaibo Films
- “El color gris”, by Marina Velázquez Benítez. Produced by: La Terraza Films and Carlos del Valle
- “El fantasma de la quinta”, by James A. Castillo. Produced by: Illusorium Films and Martirio Films
- “El regalo”, by Lara Izagirre Garizurieta. Produced by: Lara Izagirre and Gariza Films
- “Ingrid”, by Raquel Colera. Produced by: Michèle Massé, Ángeles Maeso, Inma Cuesta, Delicias Films, Loba Loba Produce
- “Insalvable”, by Javier Marco. Produced by: Langosta Films
- “La hora escrita”, by Coke Arijo. Produced by: Little Frame, Luz Naranja Films, José María Arijo Álvarez, Cristina Vivó Lucha
- “La huella del barro”, by Rodrigo Márquez. Produced by: Films on the Road
“La última canción”, by María Lorente-Becerra. Produced by: Lud Mônaco, Mamma Roma Films - “Los chicos con las chicas”, by Claudia García de Mateos. Produced by: Nuria Cidoncha (When Lights Are Low)
- “Lucus”, by David Fidalgo Omil. Produced by: Testaferro (Gonzalo E. Veloso), Mala herba Producións (Elena Mansinho)
- “María Rita”, by Juan Barbazán. Produced by: Ficción Producciones (Mamen Casal and Juan Barbazán)
- “Pálpito”, by Marisa Crespo and Moisés Romera. Produced by: Proyecta Films&Media
- “Pinchu es así”, by Carmen Córdoba. Produced by: Carmen Córdoba González (La Chula Films)
- “Pipiolos”, by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo. Produced by: Filmakers Monkeys, Bijoux Content, Tinnitus
- “Polígono X”, by Néstor López. Produced by: Néstor López Ferreira, Pilar Sancho Ramos (Filmakers Monkeys); Óscar Villaroya (Cvpvla Studio); Isabel Soto (La última sensación); David Torres Vázquez (The other film production)
- “Porque hoy es sábado”, by Alice Eça Guimarães. Produced by: Vanessa Ventura, Nuno Amorim / Claire Beffa, Sidonie Garnier / Carlota Pou, Bruno Simões
- “Retrato de un hombre en perspectiva abstracta”, by Pedro González Bermúdez. Produced by: Muy films and Antiego Studio
- “Talk me”, by Joecar Hanna. Produced by: Joecar Hanna, María Belén Poncio, Patricia Picazo, Mai Batalla (Build From The Roof); Lina Badenes, Ana Camacho (Turanga Films)
- “Tenéis que verlo”, by Nacho Solana. Produced by: Sincio de Pelis, IMVAL Producciones, Living Producciones, Sequenza productions and Pifostio Films
- “Tú no”, by Marta Albert González. Produced by: Sábado Films, Playtime Movies, Calsec Films
- “Una vocal”, by Polo Menárguez. Produced by: María del Puy Alvarado (Malvalanda)
