FICAL opens on Friday with 20 films in competition and William Levy

The Almería International Film Festival (FICAL) celebrates its twenty-fifth edition from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 22. The programme opens that Friday with the screening of «Carta blanca», by Gerardo Herrero, a production shot almost entirely in the Tabernas desert and which will receive the Filming Almería Award. The competitive Ópera Prima section brings together 20 feature films this year: 14 fiction and six documentaries. It is the first time the festival includes its own competitive category for documentary. Among the titles in competition are «Ivan & Hadoum», by the Almería-born Ian de la Rosa; «Arriba tutto», José Mota's directorial debut; and «El mal hijo», by Jaime Lorente López. The international Almería en Corto competition brings together 32 short films from nine countries, and the National Series Competition has 27 nominated productions.

One of the central events will be the world premiere of «Bajo un fuego», by Martín Cuervo, on Saturday, November 21 at Cines Yelmo, with the actor and producer William Levy in attendance. The closing will be handled by «El confidente», by Daniel Calparsoro, which will be screened as a premiere at the final gala with its team. On television, the festival hosts the presentation of «Matar a un oso», the new Movistar Plus+ series created by Jorge and Alberto Sánchez-Cabezudo and starring Eduard Fernández, Miki Esparbé and Pol López. «Rocío Jurado, la más grande» will also be presented.

This edition adds the Special Production Award, which will recognise Santiago Segura and María Luisa Gutiérrez, linked to the Bowfinger production company. A Communication Award for Elena Sánchez is added. The «Almería, tierra de cine» tributes will honour Enrique Cerezo, Emma Suárez, Paula Echevarría and Tom Berenger, who will unveil their stars on the city's Walk of Fame. The festival also looks to its history with the 60th anniversary of «El bueno, el feo y el malo», commemorated with a round table, the exhibition «Detrás del mito. 60 años de El bueno, el feo y el malo en la mirada de Angelo Novi» and the screening of the documentary «Clint Spain Connection», by Víctor Matellano, on Tuesday, November 17 after the Audiovisual Almeriense gala. The exhibition «25 años de FICAL» is added to this. The festival director, Enrique Iznaola, has stated that «it will be a FICAL of reunion», with the return of figures such as William Levy, José Mota, Natalia de Molina, Jorge Sanz and Elena Anaya. According to the Almería City Council, the programme also includes round tables and meetings with the public in which, among others, Laia Costa, David Trueba, Rodrigo Cortés, Eduardo Casanova and Álex García will take part.