Aguilar de Campoo International Short Film Festival 2025 – Spain

Background and History

The Aguilar de Campoo International Short Film Festival (FICA), established in 1988, is one of Spain’s most historic and prestigious short film festivals, recognized by the Spanish Film Academy as a key qualifier for the Goya Awards. Held annually in Aguilar de Campoo, Palencia, Castilla y León, it showcases international and Spanish short films across genres like fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental.

The festival, supported by national and regional bodies, received the AIC (Short Film Industry Association) certification in 2016 for its exemplary role in promoting short films. In 2024, it attracted over 11,000 attendees and featured 23 competitive screenings, as noted on www.aguilarfilmfestival.es and www.festhome.com. The 37th edition in 2025 will continue its commitment to artistic creation, paying €200 ($220) screening fees to selected filmmakers.

Theme and Focus

While the 2025 theme is not yet announced, FICA traditionally emphasizes eclectic, bold storytelling, fostering encounters between filmmakers and audiences. Competitive sections include Official Section, De Campo (rural themes), MiniAguilar (children/youth), Castilla y León, and Ríete tú (comedy). The festival prioritizes diversity, supporting emerging talents and rural narratives, as per www.shortfilm.de and www.catalanfilms.cat.

Event Highlights

The 37th FICA, running November 28–December 7, 2025, will feature a rich program across Aguilar de Campoo:

• Official Section: International competition for fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental shorts (e.g., 2024 winner: The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent by Nebojsa Slijepcevic).
• De Campo: International competition focusing on rural life, ethnography, and identity (e.g., 2024 films: The Mysterious Adventures of Claude Conseil, Ese lugar partido).
• MiniAguilar: Children’s and youth short film contest (LICINIA +3, RENATO +7, AulaFF for teens).
• Castilla y León: Showcasing regional shorts, with awards for direction, acting, and more.
• Ríete tú: Comedy short film competition, offering a €500 ($550) prize.
• Aguilar Industry Hall: Professional events including masterclasses (e.g., Rita Azevedo Gomes, Pelayo Gutiérrez in 2024), one-to-one meetings, and panels on financing and VFX.
• Parallel Sections: Collaborations with festivals like Clermont-Ferrand, Gijón/FICX, and Bogoshorts, featuring retrospectives and special programs.
• Trees and Stars: Ceremonial tree planting with Golden Eagle honorees (e.g., 2024: Fele Martínez, Pepe Viyuela).
• Vermouth with Filmmakers: Networking events for cultural exchange.

Awards (Based on 2024)

• Official Section:
  • Gullón de Oro Best Short Film: The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (Nebojsa Slijepcevic, Croatia, 2024).
  • Gullón de Oro Best Spanish Short Film: TBD (Goya Awards pre-selection).
  • Gullón de Oro Best Animated Short Film: TBD.
  • Golden Eagle Awards: Best Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Photography, Editing, Production Design.
  • Audience Award: Águila de Oro Best Short Film.
  • Young Jury Award: Águila de Oro Best Short Film.
  • Senior Jury Award: Águila de Oro Best Short Film.
  • Caimán Cuadernos de Cine Critics Award: Best Spanish Short Film.
  • Mujeres Tejiendo Cambios Award: Best Short Film by a Woman.
  • Alerta Sonora Collective Award: Best Original Music.
  • Red Cross Award: Best Social Values.
• Castilla y León:
  • Golden Eagle Best Short Film, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Photography, Editing, Production Design.
• MiniAguilar:
  • Golden Eagle Best Short Film LICINIA +3: €500 ($550).
  • Golden Eagle Best Short Film RENATO +7: €500 ($550).
• De Campo:
  • Golden Eagle Best Short Film: €500 ($550).
• Ríete tú:
  • Golden Eagle Best Comedy Short Film: €500 ($550).
• Total Cash Prizes: €14,000 ($15,400).
• Screening Fee: €200 ($220) per selected short in the Official and Castilla y León sections (Spanish films require representative attendance).

Dates and Duration

• Dates: November 28–December 7, 2025 (confirmed by www.festhome.com).
• Duration: 10 days.
• Submission Deadline: September 1, 2025 (via www.festhome.com, fees: €4/$4.40 regular, €7/$7.70 extended).
• Ticket Sales: TBD, typically from November 1, 2025, via www.aguilarfilmfestival.es.

Main Address

• Primary Venue: Cine Amor, Plaza de España, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo, Palencia, Spain (main screenings).

All Venues

• Cine Amor: Plaza de España, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo (main screenings, capacity ~400).
• Casa de Cultura: Calle Pancorbo, 8, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo (additional screenings, capacity ~200).
• Espacio Cultural Santa María La Real: Fundación Santa María La Real, Av. Juan de Aguilar, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo (industry events, screenings).
• Hotel Valentín: Av. Generalísimo, 21, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo (Aguilar Industry Hall, networking).
• Other Venues: Local schools and cultural spaces for MiniAguilar and parallel sections (TBD, check www.aguilarfilmfestival.es).
• Note: Venues are walkable within Aguilar de Campoo’s compact center (5–10 minutes).

Contact Information

• Administrative Office: C/ Modesto Lafuente, 1, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo, Palencia, Spain.
• Phone: +34 979 12 20 05
• Email: info@aguilarfilmfestival.es
• Website: www.aguilarfilmfestival.es
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/aguilarfilmfestival
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/aguilarfilmfestival
  • Twitter: www.twitter.com/aguilarfilmfest
  • YouTube: www.youtube.com/@aguilarfilmfestival
• Tourist Info: www.aguilardecampoo.es, www.turismocastillayleon.com
• Submission Inquiries: www.festhome.com
• Ticket Inquiries: info@aguilarfilmfestival.es, www.aguilarfilmfestival.es (Tickets section).

Ticket Information

• Pricing (1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD, estimated based on typical festival ranges and www.catalanfilms.cat):
  • Individual Ticket: €5–€15 ($5.50–$16.50) per screening (TBD for 2025).
  • Festival Pass: €30–€50 ($33–$55, TBD, typically includes multiple screenings).
  • Free Screenings: Select parallel sections and MiniAguilar events may be free until capacity is reached.
• Discounts:
  • Students/Under 26: TBD (~20–30% off, e.g., €3–€10/$3.30–$11).
  • Seniors (Over 65): TBD (~20% off).
  • Groups (10+): TBD (~€3–€5/$3.30–$5.50 per ticket).
• Purchase Information:
  • Online: www.aguilarfilmfestival.es (expected from November 1, 2025).
  • On-Site: Cine Amor box office (Plaza de España, hours TBD, typically 10:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00), Casa de Cultura.
  • Notes: Ticket prices for 2025 are not yet confirmed; expect €5–€15 ($5.50–$16.50) based on similar festivals. Free screenings require early arrival. Check www.aguilarfilmfestival.es in October 2025 for updates.

Cultural Experience

FICA transforms Aguilar de Campoo, a charming town in Castilla y León, into a cinematic hub, blending short film screenings with its Romanesque heritage and biscuit-making tradition (e.g., Gullón cookies). Venues like Cine Amor and Santa María La Real offer an intimate backdrop for innovative shorts. The Aguilar Industry Hall fosters professional networking, while events like Vermouth with Filmmakers and Trees and Stars create a vibrant community atmosphere. Visitors can explore local monasteries or enjoy Galician-style cuisine between screenings.

Food and Drinks

• Cocido Montañés: Bean and meat stew (~$11). Try at Restaurante El Barón (Plaza de España, 1, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo).
• Lechazo Asado: Roast lamb (~$16.50). At Mesón El Molino (Calle Molino, 2, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo).
• Galletas Gullón: Local biscuits (~$2.20). At Panadería La Tahona (Calle Mercado, 10, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo).
• Vino de la Tierra: Regional red (~$5.50/glass). At Bar La Muralla (Calle Puente, 5, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo).
• Sopa Castellana: Garlic soup (~$6.60). At Restaurante Valentín (Av. Generalísimo, 21, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo). Visit Plaza de España for dining near Cine Amor.

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: MiniAguilar section (LICINIA +3, RENATO +7, AulaFF) offers screenings and workshops for children and teens. Free or discounted tickets for under 18 (TBD).
• Accessibility: Cine Amor and Casa de Cultura are partially wheelchair-accessible; Santa María La Real and Hotel Valentín may have steps. Contact info@aguilarfilmfestival.es for accommodations. Aguilar’s cobblestone streets require planning for mobility needs.

Getting There

• By Air: Valladolid Airport (VLL, 120 km, ~$66 taxi or $11 bus to Palencia, then $5.50 to Aguilar). Bilbao (BIO, 180 km, $99 taxi or $16.50 bus).
• By Train: Palencia Station (Renfe, Madrid ~2 hr, $33). Then the ALSA bus to Aguilar (1 hr, $5.50). Aguilar de Campoo Station (local trains, limited service, ~$5.50).
• By Bus: ALSA from Palencia (1 hr, $5.50) or Bilbao (2.5 hr, $16.50) to Aguilar Bus Station (5-minute walk to Plaza de España).
• By Car: A-67 to Aguilar de Campoo. Park near Plaza de España (~$1.10–$2.20/day). Note ZTL restrictions.
• Public Transport: Local buses are minimal; venues are walkable (5–10 minutes from Plaza de España).

Program Overview

• November 28–December 7, 2025 (based on 2024, 2025 TBD):
  • Opening Day (November 28): Opening ceremony at Cine Amor, likely featuring Official Section screening.
  • Official Section: Daily screenings at Cine Amor, Casa de Cultura (fiction, documentary, animation, experimental).
  • De Campo: Rural-themed shorts, various venues.
  • MiniAguilar: Children/youth screenings in schools or Casa de Cultura.
  • Castilla y León: Regional shorts, Cine Amor.
  • Ríete tú: Comedy shorts, Casa de Cultura.
  • Aguilar Industry Hall (Hotel Valentín, Santa María La Real):
    • Sunday, December 1: One-to-One Meetings, Networking Breakfast, CyL New Talent/Open Ecam Pitchings, European Short Pitch, Trees and Stars Presentation, Roundtable of CyL Directors, Vermouth with Filmmakers.
    • Thursday, December 5: Masterclass (Rita Azevedo Gomes), VFX Masterclass (Miguel Costa Templado, Gontzal Aurrekoetxea Urrutia), Vermouth with Filmmakers.
    • Friday, December 6: Musical Cinema Masterclass (Pelayo Gutiérrez), Short of the Week Masterclass (Céline Roustan), Vermouth with Filmmakers.
    • Saturday, December 7: Development Labs Panel (Alejandro Díaz, Carlos Ríos), Railway Pot Competition, Vermouth with Filmmakers, Closing Ceremony (Cine Amor, awards).
    • Sunday, December 8: One-to-One Meetings, Networking Breakfast, Literary Adaptation Masterclass (Matías Piñeiro), Short Film Financing Conference (Alberto Díaz López).
• Note: 2025 program TBD; check www.aguilarfilmfestival.es in September 2025.

Notable Features

• Goya Awards Qualifier: Best Spanish Short Film pre-selected for Goya Awards.
• Aguilar Industry Hall: Connects filmmakers with festivals, distributors, and producers.
• MiniAguilar: Engages young audiences with age-specific screenings.
• De Campo: Unique focus on rural narratives.
• Screening Fees: €200 ($220) for selected shorts, supporting filmmakers.

Accommodation Tips

• Hotel Valentín: Av. Generalísimo, 21, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo (~$55–$110/night), festival hub.
• Hotel Villa de Aguilar: Paseo la Cascajera, 9, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo (~$44–$88/night), central.
• Hostal Siglo Veinte: Plaza de España, 11, 34800 Aguilar de Campoo (~$33–$66/night), budget-friendly. Book early for November/December, as Aguilar fills during FICA. Check www.aguilardecampoo.es for packages.

Planning Assistance

• Recommendations: Attend the opening ceremony (November 28) at Cine Amor. Explore De Campo for rural stories or MiniAguilar for family-friendly screenings. Join Aguilar Industry Hall events for networking. Catch Vermouth with Filmmakers for informal chats.
• Navigating Tickets: Purchase passes or tickets from November 1, 2025, at www.aguilarfilmfestival.es. Arrive early for free screenings. Expect €5–€15 ($5.50–$16.50) per ticket.
• Exploring Aguilar: Visit Monasterio de Santa María La Real (5-minute walk from venues) or enjoy cocido montañés at Restaurante El Barón post-screening.
• Tips: Dress for cold November/December weather (~5°C/41°F). Monitor www.aguilarfilmfestival.es for 2025 program updates (expected September). Bring comfortable shoes for cobblestone streets.