The opening will take place this Saturday at the Benidorm Cultural Center with a gala that will mark the beginning of a week dedicated to cinema and professional encounters. During the evening, the Skyliner Award will be presented to actor Fele Martínez, and the short film Quemar al padre, by Rafa Piqueras, will premiere. The organization highlighted that this inauguration symbolizes «the spirit of the festival as a space where projects are born and grow».
The screening will be attended by part of its artistic team, including actresses Empar Ferrer and Mireia Pérez, as well as poster artist Assad Kassab, reinforcing the festival's character as a direct meeting point between the public and creators.
“"We reach this edition with the feeling of having built something solid, but also with the need to continue evolving. Skyline is no longer just a place where films are seen; it is a space where projects begin to exist and where real connections are generated within the sector."
On Sunday, April 19, the program will continue with a double highlight. On one hand, the talk-vermouth El actor frente al mar, presented by Carles Francino, will bring together Francino and Fele Martínez in an open conversation with the public. This activity also serves as a prelude to the Altafulla International Film Festival (ALT IFF), whose second edition will be presented during the week within the framework of the festival, reinforcing Skyline's role as an inspiring event within the circuit.
On the other hand, the festival will feature a feature film in its section En ocasiones veo largos, with the screening of Cel meu infern teu, by Benidorm director Alberto Evangelio. The session will include the artistic team composed of Sandra Cervera, Tania Fortea, and Víctor Palmero, who has also been recognized with the Lola Gaos Award for best supporting performance for his role in the film and is also part of the cast of Quemar al padre, establishing an interesting link between both productions present at the festival's start.
Beyond the opening, Skyline will unfold a week-long program that includes its official sections —with 26 short films in national competition—, as well as the industry area PRISMA, focused on networking and project development. This space, which will be held between April 22 and 24, will bring together industry professionals in meetings, presentations, and one-to-one sessions. This year's edition reinforces its international dimension with Mexico as a guest country, featuring a specific program that includes screenings, institutional collaborations, and presence in industry activities.
“"The key to Skyline is that it has managed to grow in different directions simultaneously: programming, industry, audience, and internationalization. This year we take another step in all of them, especially with PRISMA and the connection with Mexico."
Alongside the screenings, the festival maintains its commitment to parallel activities and accessibility, with proposals such as the exhibition Siente el cine or adapted sessions for audiences with functional diversity, thus expanding its impact beyond the screen. With ten years of experience, the Skyline Benidorm Film Festival faces an edition that not only celebrates its journey but also reinforces its role as a meeting point for short films and a platform for new projects.
