Last night saw the unveiling of the VII International Film Festival of Calzada de Calatrava in Castilla-La Mancha. What was unique about this edition was that Ana Muñoz, Vice Minister of Culture in the regional government, announced that for the first time ever the local film industry will be able to receive financial support from the authorities.
Calzada de Calatrava is the hometown of famed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar
There is a budget of 150 000 euros which has been set aside to be given to film makers. This amount will be split between the 2020 and 2021 financial years.
Two thirds of the funds will go towards aiding the creation of feature films, whereas the other 50 000 euros will be used for the production of short films. Next month it will be announced how the money will be distributed.
“These grants represent an injection for the cinema sector of our autonomous community that is suffering the economic crisis caused by the health pandemic,” said Vice Minister Muñoz. Additionally, she was pleased to point out that the festival itself has shown social engagement with pertinent issues, such as domestic violence and homelessness.
For example, in the days before the official opening of the festival, the organizers have screened short movies treating the subject of gender discrimination today. Likewise, there were roundtables and workshops dedicated to those social ills.
The opening of the film festival featured an exhibition called “La flor de nuestro secreto” (The flower of our secret) by art duo Betty Wilma Creaciones which was accompanied by piano renditions of famous soundtracks. Proceedings collected from the opening will go to the campaign #SinCasaCovid19 carried out by CEPAIM foundation. It aims to distribute hygienic kits, food and medicine to nearly 7000 people living in precarious conditions.
The VII Calzada de Calatrava Film Festival will conclude on 15 August. It will also feature a screening of the film Átame (in English Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) by Pedro Almodóvar – the famed director who was born in the small Manchego town.
Source: TheMayor.EU
