Global diversity will distinguish the Gibaral Low-Budget Film Festival
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The 20th edition of the Gibara International Low-Budget Film Festival, taking place from July 14 to 18, will bring together a lineup of films from nearly 20 countries, spanning from Central Asia to the Caribbean, with the addition of Kyrgyzstan's cinema to the competition.
Rafael Grillo, a member of the Organizing Committee, said to ACN that this geographic diversity - which includes films from Iran, India, Palestine, Morocco, Curaçao, European nations, and a broad representation from Latin America- reaffirms the event’s alternative and universal spirit.
The premiere of Chinguiz Narinov’s film “Mergen”, winner of the Bishkek International Film Festival, will mark a milestone in the history of the competition, he said.
In the feature-length fiction section, It stands out the Iranian film “Stories of the Rainbow” by Saleh Alavizadeh, which addresses violence against children; the Indian film “Feminist Fatima” by Fasil Muhammed, which has been highly praised at festivals; the Moroccan film “Casablanca/Dakar”, directed by Ahmed Boulane; as well as entries from Mexico—“La llamada”, directed by Pablo A. Tonatiuh, and “Un techo sin cielo”, by Diego Hernández, and from Venezuela “Espina”, directed by Daniel Poler.
In the fiction short film category, works from Palestine (Zhara, by Hadi Shatat), Iran (Colored Window, by Mohammad Hormozi), the Caribbean island of Curaçao (On the Eve, by Elizabeth Francisco), and Honduras (Bucket, by Joan Barahona) are featured, along with pieces from Argentina, Mexico, Spain, and a strong presence of filmmakers from the island.
The fiction short film section features works from Palestine (Zhara, by Hadi Shatat), Iran (Ventana Coloreada, by Mohammad Hormozi), the Caribbean island of Curaçao (En vísperas, by Elizabeth Francisco), and Honduras (Cubeta, by Joan Barahona), alongside films from Argentina, Mexico, Spain, and a strong presence of filmmakers from the island.
Grillo highlighted that the documentary feature section will include the British Independent Candidate, by Teilo Vellacott; the French Errante, by Benoit Maestre; the Brazilian When Girls Grow Up, by Neli Mombelli; and the Spanish Lorca in Havana, by José Antonio Torres and Antonio Manuel, alongside Cuban productions.
In the documentary short film format, the director mentioned works from Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, as well as perspectives on Cuba through foreign filmmakers such as the American Charles Abelmann (Nommal) and the Argentinian Mauricio Centurión (The Most Wonderful Thing).
He noted that the Animation section will include several entries from Brazil, the continent's leading country in this category, with four films in competition, along with animated works from Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Spain.
Grillo acknowledged that, although in other aspects of Gibara's traditional multicultural festival the 2026 edition may not reach the level of previous years due to current circumstances, the festival's essential purpose will always be its film programming; its broad geographic scope guarantees audience interest and the event's continued relevance.
The Gibara International Low-Budget Film Festival was founded in April 2003 by the renowned Cuban filmmaker Humberto Solás as a platform to promote creativity, cultural justice, and low-budget cinema. (Source: ACN)
