Spain's Rural Film Events Spotlight Depopulation and Forest Fires

The second edition of the Puenticine festival will be held in the small Asturian village of Puenticiella from July 31 to August 2, 2026. Organized by producer Benito Sierra, BSG‑Media and local cultural associations, the three‑day program features short and feature films, documentaries and a photographic exhibition aimed at raising awareness of rural depopulation. Sierra said the edition will be “more introspective,” and the event will use an outdoor screen in the La Molina stream area, with a backup indoor venue at the Toreno theatre in case of rain.

On July 31, the documentary *Ladrones de fuego* by director Francisco José Vaquero Robustillo was screened at the Leonardo Torres Quevedo Civic Center in El Astillero, Cantabria. The free‑entry film examines the 2025 forest fires that affected provinces such as Palencia, León, Zamora, Ourense, Cáceres and others, combining testimonies from residents, forest firefighters and experts to discuss land‑management practices and the loss of rural knowledge. The screening included a presentation and a post‑film discussion with the director.