The FOCO Short Film Festival, an educational audiovisual creation event held annually in Fuente Obejuna, will take place on October 15, 16, and 17. Its objective is to promote audiovisual culture and critical thinking among young people through the presentation and screening of short films and audiovisual pieces created by high schools and educational centers throughout Spain.
The Provincial Council, through its Delegate for Culture, Gabriel Duque, has expressed its support for this initiative, which originated from the IES Lope de Vega. Duque emphasized the importance of bringing cinema to young people to help them acquire knowledge in this field.
Silvia Mellado, councilor for the Ayuntamiento de Fuente Obejuna, recalled that in its 11 editions, 680 students and 350 students from IES Lope de Vega have participated, some of whom are now audiovisual professionals. Additionally, 320 teachers were involved, 410 short films were screened, and over 1200 works were received.
Mellado highlighted FOCO's value as a festival where young people not only participate but also interact with the local community, being hosted by local families. The educational community fully engages in the event, demonstrating that culture, creativity, and high-level educational projects can be generated from rural towns.
Javier Goitre, representing the organization, stated that the festival is established within Spain's educational circuit and emphasized its rural character and its aim to open cultural windows and horizons.
This year's program will include four short film screenings, all presented by their student creators. It will also feature workshops led by industry professionals on animation, chroma key, spaguetti western, and collective filmmaking.
Over 130 short films were submitted from more than 50 educational centers, with 35 selected for screening.
The program for Thursday, October 15, includes the opening ceremony and the first screening. On Friday, October 16, there will be a second screening in the morning, the presentation of the European Film Festival of Seville, and in the afternoon, the screening of the short film Tsunami and the third short film session.
On Saturday, October 17, attendees can enjoy a performance by the circus and dance company María Hames and a colloquium with Javier Barbero, winner of two Carmen Awards, sponsored by the Andalusian Film Academy. The awards ceremony will take place at 8:00 PM.
Within the framework of FOCO, unofficial awards will be presented, including the Delegation of Education Award for Best Cordoban Work, the Radio Televisión Andaluza Award for Best Andalusian Audiovisual Work, and the award from the European Film Festival of Seville. Other accolades include the Talent Award (Rural Development Group of the Alto Guadiato Valley) and the Laurencia Award for Best Performance (Ayuntamiento de Fuente Obejuna).
Additional awards include the Most Groundbreaking Short Film Award (Carne Cruda radio program), the Audience Award (chosen by public vote), and the Brumaria Collective Award (presented by the organizing association). The official awards will be given in five categories: fiction, documentary, animation, video art, and awareness campaign.
