Each spring, a collection of powerful stories unfolds on screen at the Georgia Museum of Art, as the España en Corto Spanish Short Film Festival brings together filmmakers, students and film enthusiasts for a celebration of Spanish cinema. Now in its 12th year, the festival has become a staple event at the museum, offering a glimpse into the dynamic world of Spanish short films.
What began as a graduate student-led initiative within UGA’s department of Romance languages has grown into a highly anticipated cultural event, showcasing award-winning short films that reflect Spain’s diverse voices and cinematic traditions. The festival’s commitment to storytelling, language and artistic expression continues to draw an engaged audience eager to explore the narratives unfolding beyond their own borders.
A Cinematic Journey
This year, España en Corto takes place over two evenings, April 1 and 2, at the Georgia Museum of Art. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. The festival is free admission and open to all.
Each night presents a different selection of carefully curated short films, ranging from personal narratives to experimental works. With English subtitles provided, the films invite audiences to step into different worlds, whether through the lens of an emerging filmmaker or an established director experimenting with new ideas. The films will be followed by moderated Q&A sessions.
Bridging Communities Through Film
España en Corto is made possible through a collaboration between UGA and several key players in the Spanish film industry. ECAM (Escuela de Cinematografía y del Audiovisual de la Comunidad de Madrid), one of Spain’s top film schools, plays a vital role in nurturing new talent, while Madrid en Corto and Off ECAM help bring these short films to a wider audience. Quercus, a project promoting films from the Castilla y León area of Spain, adds a regional perspective to the festival’s lineup.
Beyond Spain, the festival’s local partners — including the Georgia Museum of Art and Digital 104 Film Distribution — help bring these cinematic works to new audiences, reinforcing the festival’s role as a bridge between cultures.
A Space for Discovery
For those who attend, España en Corto is more than just a film festival — it is an opportunity to experience cinema as a form of cultural dialogue. The films shown here are often windows into untold stories, offering perspectives that might not otherwise reach international audiences. Each year, the festival creates a space where language, art and storytelling intersect, drawing in students, cinephiles and community members alike.
Tuesday, April 1
Welcome: Dr. Javier Soler, festival committee member, Spanish teacher at Clarke Central High School
Moderators of Q&A: Elisa Braga, Graham Johnson, Eliot Westdorp and Catherine Simpson
“Moro” – Fifteen-year-old Leo is about to leave his village, leaving the life he knows. (17 min.)
Directors: Néstor López and Carlos Valle
“Furtiva” – A coping mechanism. (2 min.)
Director: Silvania C. Suárez
“Conversaciones rotas” – María and Carlos are each at a breaking point in their relationships. Both know what they have to do, but neither does it. (7 min.)
Director: Daniel González Catalina
“Lola, Lolita, Lolaza” – With a lot of humor, love and sarcasm, Mabel Lozano shares her journey with a “cancer-chickpea” in her left breast. But this is not just Mabel’s story; it is also that of millions of women. (9 min.)
Director: Mabel Lozano
“Ahora no puedo hablar” – A boy is on his way home when two local girls decide to mock him yet again. He struggles with it. (3 min.)
Director: Carlos Alberto Mejías
“Céntrico” – Ernesto and Nati looked forward to visiting the big city. (20 min.)
Director: Luso Martínez
Wednesday, April 2
Welcome: Dr. Martin Ward, faculty coordinator, lecturer of Spanish in Romance languages at UGA
Moderators of Q&A: Javier Soler, Eliot Westdorp, María González and Catherine Simpson
“Todos los días” – A new day begins. On the same corner, a girl and a boy kiss before going to class. (12 min.)
Director: Domingo J. González
“Atlántico” – The ocean surrounds us and determines us. It is our house and our cage. We were born with it, and with it we will die. (1 min.)
Director: Domingo J. González
“Ama” – Claudia begins a search for the Chinese name of her grandmother, whom she knows as Ama. (8 min.)
Director: Claudia Chau
“Los comensales” – Miguel’s family wants him to join the family business, sacrificing his own dreams. Will Miguel be able to stand his ground? (10 min.)
Director: MJ Fuentes Mateos
“La Reina del Pop” – Sara has just done something crazy. And the person who has come to her house to help her is going to have to hear the whole story. (14 min.)
Director: David Goñi Artigas
“La isla errante” – Federico’s business is becoming unsustainable for him, and he entertains a proposal to sell his land to an investment fund. (18 min.)
Director: Pablo Borges
Authored by:
Nishat Nayla
