Gijón International Film Festival 2025 – Gijón, Spain

Background and History

The Gijón International Film Festival (FICX), founded in 1963, is one of Spain’s leading film festivals, recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) as a “Competitive Specialised Festival.” Organized by the City Council of Gijón with support from Liberbank, it focuses on innovative, auteur-driven cinema and emerging filmmakers. The festival has grown into a cultural cornerstone in Asturias, showcasing international features, short films, and the Enfants Terribles section for young audiences.

In 2024, the 62nd edition screened 191 titles across 204 sessions, achieving record ticket sales (141 full passes, 706 ten-ticket vouchers), as reported by www.ficx.tv. The 63rd edition in 2025 will continue to promote daring narratives and industry networking through its FICX Pro program, now in its 9th year, per www.cinando.com and www.spain.info.

Theme and Focus

The 2025 FICX emphasizes personal, high-quality filmmaking, prioritizing bold, innovative stories and emerging talents. Its competitive sections—Albar, Retueyos, Tierres en Trance, and Asturies Curtiumetraxes—highlight diverse global perspectives, while the Enfants Terribles section fosters film literacy among young audiences. The festival aims to expand educational initiatives and support film circulation, as noted on www.oficinamediaespana.eu and www.swissfilms.ch.

Event Highlights

The 63rd FICX, held from November 14–22, 2025, will feature a diverse program across Gijón’s cultural venues:

• Official Section – Albar: International feature film competition for bold, auteur-driven works (e.g., 2024 winner: By the Stream by Hong Sangsoo).
• Official Section – Retueyos: Focus on emerging directors with innovative narratives (e.g., 2024 FIPRESCI winner: Algo viejo, algo nuevo, algo prestado).
• Short Film International Competition: Showcasing creative shorts (e.g., 2024 winner: Campolivar by Alicia Moncholí).
• Tierres en Trance: Cross-sectional competition blending global and experimental cinema (e.g., 2024 winner: Yo vi tres luces negras).
• Asturies Curtiumetraxes: Competition for Asturian short films (e.g., 2024 winner: Soledá by Howi Álvarez).
• Enfants Terribles: Family-friendly screenings with Q&As and workshops for children and teens, promoting film education.
• FICX Pro: Industry program with workshops, panels, and networking for professionals (9th edition in 2025).
• Parallel Activities: Tributes to filmmakers, retrospectives, book presentations, exhibitions, and concerts, enhancing the festival’s cultural scope.
• Opening and Closing Ceremonies: Held at Teatro Jovellanos, featuring premieres and awards (films TBD).

Awards (Based on 2024)

• Albar International Competition:
  • Best Feature Film: By the Stream (Hong Sangsoo, South Korea, 2024).
  • AISGE Best Actress: Kim Minhee (By the Stream).
  • AISGE Best Actor: Abou Sangare (L’Histoire de Souleymane, France, 2024).
  • Best Directing: Matthias Glasner (Dying, Germany, 2024).
• Retueyos International Competition:
  • FIPRESCI Award: Algo viejo, algo nuevo, algo prestado (Hernán Rosselli, Argentina/Spain/Portugal, 2024).
  • Special Jury Prize: Fogo do vento (Marta Mateus, Portugal/Switzerland/France, 2024).
• Short Film International Competition:
  • Principado de Asturias Best Short Film: Campolivar (Alicia Moncholí, Spain, 2024) – for its sensitive and original approach to childhood trauma.
• Youth Jury Awards:
  • Best Feature Film (Retueyos): River Returns (Masakazu Kaneko, Japan, 2024) – for portraying universal emotions.
  • Best Short Film: Campolivar (Alicia Moncholí, Spain, 2024) – for its visually stunning social commentary.
• Tierres en Trance:
  • Best Feature Film: Yo vi tres luces negras (Santiago Lozano Álvarez, Colombia/Mexico/Germany/France, 2024).
  • Special Award for Artistic Contribution: Algo viejo, algo nuevo, algo prestado (Hernán Rosselli, 2024).
• Spanish Feature Film Awards:
  • Best Spanish Feature Film: As the Tide Comes In (Juan Palacios, Denmark, 2023) – for its poetic environmental reflection.
  • RCSERVICE Best Director: Juan Palacios (As the Tide Comes In).
  • DAMA Best Script: L’edat imminent (Col·lectiu Vigília, Laura Corominas Espelt, Clara Serrano Llorens, Ariadna Ulldemolins Abad, Spain, 2024) – for its intimate storytelling.
  • AMAE Best Editing: Te separas mucho (Paula Veleiro, Spain, 2024) – for creative and sensory editing.
  • CIMA Best Film Directed by a Woman: Peaches Goes Bananas (Marie Losier, France/Belgium, 2024) – for its daring narrative.
• Asturian Awards:
  • RTPA Best Asturian Feature Film: Tres hombres no pueden ocultarse bajo la tapa de un puchero (Sergio Montero, Asur Fuente, Spain, 2024).
  • RTPA Best Short Film: Soledá (Howi Álvarez, Spain, 2024).
  • RTPA Special Mention: Festina Lente (Ana G. Argüelles, Spain, 2024).
  • Laboral Cinemateca Cortos: Festina Lente (Ana G. Argüelles, Spain, 2024).

Dates and Duration

• Dates: November 14–22, 2025 (confirmed by www.ficx.tv).
• Duration: 9 days.
• Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025 (via www.ficx.tv).
• Ticket Sales:
  • Season Tickets/Full Passes: From November 1, 2025.
  • Single Tickets: From November 8, 2025.
• Professional Accreditation: Applications open early 2025 (€50, via www.ficx.tv).

Main Address

• Primary Venue: Teatro Jovellanos, Paseo de Begoña, 7, 33201 Gijón, Asturias, Spain (opening/closing ceremonies, major screenings).

All Venues

• Teatro Jovellanos: Paseo de Begoña, 7, 33201 Gijón (main stage, capacity ~1,000, opening/closing ceremonies).
• Yelmo Cines Ocimax: Calle Maestro Amado Morán, s/n, 33213 Gijón (multiple screens, capacity ~2,000, main screenings).
• Laboral Cinemateca: Ciudad de la Cultura, 33203 Gijón (special screenings, capacity ~300).
• Centro de Cultura Antiguo Instituto: Calle Jovellanos, 21, 33201 Gijón (smaller screenings, FICX Pro events, capacity ~200).
• Casa Natal de Jovellanos: Plaza de Jovellanos, 33201 Gijón (select screenings, capacity ~100).
• Other Cultural Centers: Additional venues across Gijón (TBD, check www.ficx.tv for updates).
• Note: Venues are within a 5–15-minute walk in Gijón’s city center.

Contact Information

• Administrative Office: Francisco Tomás y Valiente, 1-1ª, 33201 Gijón, Asturias, Spain (Old School of Commerce Building).
• Phone: +34 985 18 29 40
• Fax: +34 985 18 29 39
• Email: info@gijonfilmfestival.com
• Website: www.ficx.tv
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/ficxixon
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/ficxixon
  • Twitter: www.twitter.com/ficxixon
  • YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ficxixon
  • WhatsApp: Available via www.ficx.tv
• Tourist Info: www.gijon.es, www.spain.info
• Ticket/Accreditation Inquiries: festival@jazzlugo.com (general inquiries), www.ficx.tv (ticketing).

Ticket Information

• Pricing (1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD, confirmed for 2025 by www.ficx.tv):
  • Individual Ticket: €5.50 ($6.05).
  • Group Ticket (11+ attendees): €4 ($4.40 each).
  • 10-Ticket Voucher: €45 ($49.50).
  • 10-Ticket Youth Voucher: €35 ($38.50).
  • 5-Ticket Youth Voucher: €20 ($22).
  • Full Pass: €60 ($66, access to all screenings except opening/closing ceremonies).
  • Full Pass (Youth, under 26): €40 ($44).
  • Professional Accreditation: €50 ($55, access to screenings except ceremonies, includes FICX Pro events).
• Discounts:
  • Youth (Under 26): 5-Ticket (€20/$22), 10-Ticket (€35/$38.50), Full Pass (€40/$44).
  • Groups (11+): €4 ($4.40) per ticket.
  • Seniors (Over 65): TBD (~20% off, check www.ficx.tv).
• Purchase Information:
  • Online: www.ficx.tv (passes from November 1, single tickets from November 8, 2025).
  • On-Site: Teatro Jovellanos box office (Paseo de Begoña, 7, hours TBD, typically 11:00–14:00, 17:00–20:00), Yelmo Cines Ocimax, Laboral Cinemateca.
  • Professional Accreditation: Apply via www.ficx.tv (early 2025), €50 ($55), includes redemption code for tickets.
  • Notes: Full passes and vouchers are cost-effective for multiple screenings. Accreditation suits industry professionals. Book early for popular screenings.

Cultural Experience

The Gijón International Film Festival transforms Gijón’s coastal cityscape into a hub for cinematic innovation, set against the backdrop of Asturias’ vibrant culture. Screenings in historic venues like Teatro Jovellanos and modern spaces like Yelmo Cines Ocimax create a dynamic atmosphere. The Enfants Terribles section engages young audiences, while FICX Pro fosters industry connections. Visitors can enjoy Gijón’s beaches, cider houses, and local cuisine, such as cachopo, between screenings, making it a perfect blend of film and Asturian heritage.

Food and Drinks

• Cachopo: Breaded veal cutlet with ham and cheese (~$16.50). Try at Casa Julio (Calle San Bernardo, 28, 33201 Gijón).
• Fabada Asturiana: Bean stew (~$11). At Restaurante El Planeta (Calle Pedro Duro, 9, 33206 Gijón).
• Sidra Asturiana: Asturian cider (~$4.40/bottle). At Sidrería El Globo (Calle San Bernardo, 1, 33201 Gijón).
• Arroz con Leche: Rice pudding (~$4.40). At Confitería La Playa (Paseo del Muro de San Lorenzo, 1, 33202 Gijón).
• Queso Cabrales: Blue cheese (~$6.60). At Casa Trabanco (Camino de Lavandera, 33204 Gijón). Visit the Cimadevilla district or the Paseo de Begoña for dining near venues.

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Enfants Terribles section offers screenings, Q&As, and workshops for children and teens. Youth vouchers (€20–€40) make it affordable. Family events are free or discounted for under 12 (TBD).
• Accessibility: Teatro Jovellanos, Yelmo Cines Ocimax, and Laboral Cinemateca are wheelchair-accessible. Smaller venues (e.g., Centro de Cultura Antiguo Instituto) may have limitations; contact info@gijonfilmfestival.com for accommodations. Gijón’s city center is mostly flat, with some cobblestone areas in Cimadevilla.

Getting There

• By Air: Asturias Airport (OVD, 40 km, ~$33 taxi or $8.80 ALSA bus to Gijón, 45 min). Bilbao (BIO, 250 km, $110 taxi or $22 bus).
• By Train: Gijón Station (Renfe, Madrid ~4.5 hr, $44; Oviedo ~30 min, $5.50). 10-minute walk or $5.50 taxi to Teatro Jovellanos.
• By Bus: ALSA from Oviedo (30 min, $3.30) or Madrid (5.5 hr, $33) to Gijón Bus Station (5-minute walk to Paseo de Begoña).
• By Car: AP-66 or A-8 to Gijón. Park near Paseo de Begoña (~$1.10–$2.20/day). Note ZTL restrictions in the city center.
• Public Transport: Gijón city buses (e.g., Line 1, $1.65) or taxis ($5.50) to Teatro Jovellanos. Venues are walkable (5–15 minutes).

Program Overview

• November 14–22, 2025:
  • Opening Ceremony: November 14, Teatro Jovellanos (film TBD, not included in passes).
  • Albar Competition: International features at Yelmo Cines Ocimax, Teatro Jovellanos.
  • Retueyos Competition: Emerging directors’ films, various venues.
  • Short Film Competition: Screenings at Laboral Cinemateca, Centro de Cultura Antiguo Instituto.
  • Tierres en Trance: Global films, Yelmo Cines Ocimax.
  • Asturies Curtiumetraxes: Asturian shorts, Laboral Cinemateca.
  • Enfants Terribles: Family screenings, Yelmo Cines Ocimax, with workshops.
  • FICX Pro: Industry events (November 15–20, Centro de Cultura Antiguo Instituto).
  • Parallel Activities: Tributes, retrospectives, concerts, and exhibitions (venues TBD).
  • Closing Ceremony: November 22, Teatro Jovellanos (awards, closing film TBD).
• Note: Full 2025 program TBD; check www.ficx.tv in September 2025.

Notable Features

• FIAPF Accreditation: Ensures high-quality, competitive selections.
• Enfants Terribles: Engages young audiences with an educational focus.
• FICX Pro: Connects filmmakers and industry professionals.
• Asturian Cinema: Showcases local talent via Asturias Curtiumetraxes.
• Record Attendance: 2024’s success (10,000+ attendees) signals strong 2025 interest.

Accommodation Tips

• Hotel NH Gijón: Paseo Dr. Fleming, 71, 33203 Gijón (~$77–$143/night), near Yelmo Cines Ocimax.
• Hotel Abba Playa Gijón: Paseo del Dr. Fleming, 37, 33203 Gijón (~$66–$132/night), seafront.
• Hostal Don Pelayo: Calle San Bernardo, 22, 33201 Gijón (~$33–$66/night), budget-friendly near Teatro Jovellanos. Book early for November, as Gijón fills during the festival. Check www.gijon.es for packages.

Planning Assistance

• Recommendations: Attend the opening ceremony (November 14) at Teatro Jovellanos for a grand start. Explore Retueyos for emerging filmmakers or Enfants Terribles for family-friendly screenings. Join FICX Pro if you’re an industry professional. Catch Asturian shorts at Laboral Cinemateca.
• Navigating Tickets: Purchase a Full Pass (€60/$66) or 10-Ticket Voucher (€45/$49.50) from November 1 for the best value. Youth vouchers (€20–€40) suit students. Buy single tickets from November 8 at www.ficx.tv. Apply for accreditation (€50) early for industry access.
• Exploring Gijón: Visit San Lorenzo Beach or the Cimadevilla district (5-minute walk from venues). Enjoy fabada at Restaurante El Planeta post-screening.
• Tips: Dress for cool November weather (~12°C/54°F). Arrive early for popular screenings and ceremonies. Monitor www.ficx.tv for 2025 program updates (expected September).