Seminci Film Festival opens 71st edition in Valladolid

The 71st Valladolid International Film Festival, known as Seminci, has commenced in Spain. The festival features 208 titles, including 137 features and 71 shorts, with 30 world premieres and 121 total premieres. The official competition includes 22 films vying for the Golden Spike prize, featuring notable works such as May el-Toukhy’s ‘Woman Unknown’ and İlker Çatak’s ‘Yellow Letters’.

The event is currently being led by interim co-directors Mariona Viader and Javier H. Estrada, following the passing of director José Luis Cienfuegos. The programming aims to explore diverse filmmaking styles, ranging from experimental works to independent productions focusing on themes of political upheaval, memory, and exile.

To celebrate the occasion, the Provincial Association of Confectioners of Valladolid has launched the ‘Pastel Seminci’. This commemorative dessert, consisting of Genoese sponge with raspberry coulis and pistachio mousse, features a chocolate layer embossed with the festival’s official logo. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between the city's cultural events and local business sectors.