Every spring, the Georgia Museum of Art brings filmmakers, language buffs, students and cinephiles together to enjoy contemporary Spanish cinema. This year, the 13th annual España en Corto Spanish Short Film Festival will display the creativity and range of Spanish short films. The festival was started by a former University of Georgia graduate student, Kate Bundy, and is now organized by Dr. Martin Ward and current graduate students within UGA’s department of Romance languages. It has taken on a life of its own as eager audiences come back for more every year.
España en Corto creates a space for discovery and cultural exchange through a series of short film screenings by allowing audiences to engage with stories and perspectives that they may not experience otherwise. The selected works reflect Spain’s diverse peoples and cinematic traditions, often highlighting stories from underrepresented groups.
This year’s program will take place at the museum over two evenings, March 31 and April 1, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and screenings beginning at 7 p.m. each night. Admission is free and open to the public. Each evening will display a unique selection of curated short films that range from personal narratives from emerging filmmakers to experimental works from established directors. The films are made accessible to a wide audience through English subtitles, offering English-speakers a unique window into Spanish culture and cinematic traditions. Screenings will be followed by moderated Q&A sessions.
Each night will feature a guest speaker from UGA’s department of Romance languages. On the first evening, Dr. Priscila Calatayud-Fernández, an assistant professor of Spanish and Iberian studies, will share insights from her studies on literature and film produced in Galician- and Catalan-speaking regions of Spain. The second evening’s speaker will be Dr. Maravillas Lencina, who cofounded ValMar Film Studios and has worked on films such as “Stolen Babies of Spain” (2019).
España en Corto is supported through a transcontinental collaboration between UGA and several key organizations in Spain’s film industry. ECAM (Escuela de Cinematografía y del Audiovisual de la Comunidad de Madrid) helps cultivate new talent, while Madrid en Corto and Off ECAM help increase the visibility of Spanish short films. Quercus, which promotes films from the Castilla y León region, promotes regional representation. Local partners, including the Georgia Museum of Art and Digital 104 Film Distribution, play an important role in bringing these films to audiences in Georgia.
“The festival is amazing because it provides a wonderful way to see how the new generation of filmmakers in Spain respond to current and ongoing social, political and cultural issues in Spain,” said Ward. “I believe it also provides a great event for the local community of Spanish expats in Athens. The films each year never fail to spark interesting and informative discussions after the screening. We are excited to be back for the 13th edition of the España en Corto festival.”
Tuesday, March 31
“Buscando a Travolta” — This mockumentary examines the contemporary “fan” who is inspired by a global pop cultural icon to fulfill his dream of dancing.
“Gin” — A 15-year-old girl named Ginebra becomes pregnant and attempts to self-induce an abortion while reflecting on her strained relationship with her absent mother.
“Papá” — A father takes care of his mentally disabled son.
“Enroque” — Two construction workers discover a historical figure’s misplaced tomb and ponder their course of action.
“Free Frida” — This film examines the last 10 years of Frida Kahlo’s life, from her art to her relationship with Diego Rivera.
“Loin (Far Away)” — The feeling of loneliness when night falls.
“Agonía” — Two college friends end up with vastly different lives, with Rosa becoming a teacher and Adela becoming a hitwoman for a petty drug lord.
Wednesday, April 1
“El Síndrome del Recomendado” — Explores the unexpected drawbacks of receiving priority medical treatment through the journey of a claustrophobic man on a chaotic New Year’s Eve.
“Soforem” — A man goes to the registry office to verify his identity but discovers that he does not exist in any system.
“Los Dientes Largos” — Marina is continuing her music studies in Germany under a scholarship, and nobody can see that the pressure is killing her.
“Las Campanas” — A lonely boy believes that he has received a cosmic sign when he records the church bells ringing in his village.
“Frena” — A young woman who is haunted by a family tragedy stops at a gas station during a long drive and encounters a figure from her past.
“El Niño de Orejas Rojas” — A young boy’s frail mother tells him of a bramble bush that burns without being consumed, giving life instead.
Authored by:
Nabiha Rahman
