Benidorm, April 5, 2025 – The 9th edition of the Skyline Benidorm Film Festival concluded this Saturday with an emotional awards ceremony held at the Auditorium of the Benidorm Cultural Center. Hosted by presenter, screenwriter, and comedian Paula Púa, the ceremony was the perfect ending to a week full of cinema, talent, and emotion.
The Skyliner Award 2025 was presented last Saturday at the opening gala to Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, in recognition of her prolific career and steadfast support of short films and independent cinema. “Cayetana Guillén Cuervo is a benchmark in the audiovisual scene and a strong advocate of cinema in all its forms. Her commitment to short films, her love for independent cinema, and her tireless energy to give visibility to new voices make her the ideal recipient of the Skyliner Award 2025,” said Beatriz Hernández, the festival’s director.
This award presentation kicked off an edition that was a resounding success, with fully booked short film sessions, excellent reception of the professional forum PRISMA, and enthusiastic public participation. “We are happy and very grateful for the reception of this ninth edition, which already encourages us to start thinking about the next one – our tenth anniversary. It has been an unforgettable edition, full of emotion, encounters, and great cinema,” added Hernández.
Winners – 9th Edition of the Skyline Benidorm Film Festival
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Skyliner Award 2025
Cayetana Guillén-Cuervo -
Best Fiction Short Film
El Príncep, by Àlex Sardà
For its original concept, contemporary relevance, constant tension, and brilliant execution. -
Best Documentary Short Film
Semillas de Kivu, by Néstor López and Carlos Valle
For bringing a chilling yet necessary story to our territory, with visual beauty that coexists with pain. -
Best Animated Short Film
Carmela, by Vicente Mallols
For taking us nearly a century back and connecting with young Carmela through handcrafted execution and moving storytelling. -
Best Direction
María Herrera, for El cuento de una noche de verano
For entering the characters’ intimacy subtly and naturally. -
Best Short Film by Young Directors
Patrimonio, by Aitor Abio
For building a narrative with its own identity, from a young but mature perspective and a coherent visual approach. -
Best Production Design
Semillas de Kivu, design by Pilar Sancho
For the bold and smart production design required for a risky, high-demand story. -
Best Performance – ex aequo
Javier Pereira, for Violetas
Nacho Sánchez, for Una cabeza en la pared
For crafting characters far from their own nature with depth and subtle physical expression. -
Special Jury Mention
Co-haunting, by Paula Sánchez, Adrián Carande, and Pepe Rico
For addressing an intergenerational issue with simplicity and authenticity, winning us over with a smile. -
DAMA Award for Best Script in the Scriptwriting Competition
Jardines, by Patricia Benedicto
For its fairytale tone and subtle dark humor with a visually suggestive ecological critique. -
Best Ibero-American Short Film
La asistente, by Pierre Llanos
For exploring ethical dilemmas in a society shaped by law and tradition, with precise direction and outstanding performances. -
Best International Short Film
A summer’s end poem, by Lam Can-Zhao
For its poetic and moving visual narrative about the transition from childhood to adulthood and personal freedom. -
Audience Award
La noche dentro, by Antonio Cuesta
For its narrative intensity and ability to connect with the audience through a story full of tension and emotional strength. -
Youth Jury Award
La noche dentro, by Antonio Cuesta
For its technical and narrative complexity and its close take on the precariousness of the healthcare sector.
Established as a national benchmark in the short film sector, the Skyline Benidorm Film Festival continues to be a key platform for discovering new voices, celebrating creative diversity, and showcasing emerging talent. The next edition will be a milestone: the festival’s 10th anniversary, which is already being prepared with the same passion that has defined every past edition.
