As summer draws to a close, September eases us into autumn with some of Catalunya's most interesting and eclectic film festivals. From those showcasing heartfelt stories of acceptance and transformation to programs featuring tales of heart-wrenching experiences in conflict zones to a festival dedicated to promoting sometimes wild—and often downright hilarious—B movies, you’re sure to find something that suits your cinematic taste.
Transhumant Film Festival
September 12-October 12, 2024, sessions are held in various towns in Girona and Barcelona Provinces
Formerly known as the Terra Gollut Film Festival for the long-gone "dwarves" of Golluts de Ribes in acknowledgment of a people who were maligned for looking different, the Transhumant Film Festival highlights cinema that strives for social change. Cinema is a powerful tool that can transform consciousness, habits and attitudes. With this in mind, the festival includes activities that delve deep into the films' topics to help viewers get a greater understanding of them, including testimonials, discussion boards, forums and educational workshops. transhumant.com
Film still from "Roswell Delirium," Richard Bakewell (USA, 2024).
Love and Hope International Film Festival (L’HIFF)
September 17-21, 2024, Cinema Maldà, Barcelona
With both short and feature-length indie films, L’HIFF International Film Festival is a relatively new addition to Barcelona's festival scene. Showcasing cinema from around the world, the festival screens works from emerging directors alongside those of experienced creators. Not only does the festival show great films, it allows like-minded people to connect through their love of cinema with networking events, talks, panels, workshops and guest speakers. Last year's festival had over 375 films and this year's program is shaping up to be just as impressive. Confirmed feature-length films on the agenda include The Deserving, Koka Singh Arora (USA, 2023); Ultimate Chabite, Julien Ivanowich (France, 2023); Captain Carnival, Alessandro Soetje (Italy, 2024); Roswell Delirium, Richard Bakewell (USA, 2024); Do Over, Sharvi (India, 2023); Lesbian Psycho?, Nicola Vitale Materi (Poland, 2024) and many more. lhifilmfestival.com
Film still from "The Emu War" directed by John Campbell, Lisa Fineberg and Jay Morrissey (Australia, 2023).
B-Retina: B-Film Festival in Cornellà
September 19-22, 2024, Auditori Biblioteca Sant Ildefons, Cornellà de Llobregat
Dedicated to promoting B movies in Catalunya, B-Retina is all about championing the work of emerging talent in the industry, which otherwise would never make it to the big screen. The theme for the festival’s ninth edition is “mashups and crossovers”—over four days you'll experience a version of Star Wars to the beat of Rio Carnivals, an Orthodox Christian monk kicking serious ass with his Bolshevik kung-fu, a gigantic killer tarantula cross-dressing as a human, an army of emus battling against Australian soldiers and much more!
Tickets must be purchased in advance online, with all-day tickets starting at €10 and full-access tickets priced at €32. Located just outside the city, the festival is easily accessible by metro (L5) and by train (R1, R4). b-retina.cat
Film screening at FRONT International Film Festival of Conflict and Peace.
FRONT International Film Festival of Conflict and Peace
September 26-October 5, 2024, sessions are held in various towns in the Terres de l’Ebre in Tarragona Province
The FRONT International Film Festival of Conflict and Peace offers a program of films that sheds light on the human experience of local and global conflicts. It is a space for culture, social transformation, critical thinking and the dissemination of original Catalan and international cinema. With conflict as the recurring theme, films selected address topics such as civilians struggling in combat zones, clashes along international borders, displaced peoples fighting to survive as well as more deeply individual struggles like those dealing with gender and identity. A number of selected films include an open discussion session that serve as spaces for reflection and deliberation with experts on these complex and often highly sensitive issues. mostrafront.com
October Film Festivals in and around Barcelona
October’s calendar is packed with an impressive list of film festivals in and around the city. Check out our article October Film Festivals in and around Barcelona where you'll find gritty investigative documentaries, hair-raising fantasy and horror flicks and everything in between!