The GRAN pantalla, Barcelona’s International Senior Citizens’ Film Festival, closed its seventh edition on July 5th. It did so with the large hall of Cinemes Girona practically full in all sessions. Thank you, thank you and thank you to the more than 3,500 people who attended the screenings and activities!
This is a festival that honors memory, but also talks about the future: who we will care for, who will care for us or how we imagine a care system that is not so dependent on pharmaceuticals. A system that, before injecting, embraces. A system that, before prescribing, reconnects. This is a festival that imagines possible futures , that visualizes new ways of being together and that dares to ask questions without shame .
In total, 13 feature films, 18 short films, 3 participatory short films, a scriptwriting masterclass with Eduard Sola, a dialogue between Mayca Sanz (Allegra Films) and Sandra Tapia (Arcadia Motion Pictures), a round table on older people and sexuality and many post-screening dialogues were shown, which enriched the debate on issues related to aging, older people, care, peripheries or gender diversity. There were also activities in neighborhoods, Casals de Gent Gran and even a dance with a live orchestra in the La Paloma hall.
In the opening session, with Montserrat Alcoverro as master of ceremonies, the 2025 Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Vicky Peña . Alcoverro and Peña talked about their journey as a theater, television, film and dubbing actress. They also reflected on the precariousness that especially affects women who grow up and work in this industry.
In the closing session, Laura Pinyol, Bob Pop and Iolanda Tortajada , the jury of this year’s edition, awarded three short films that explore loneliness, the desire for recognition and the need to leave a legacy. The jury awarded the Best International Short Film Award to Roba estesa by Xavier Pijuan , the Best Catalan Short Film Award to La famma by Jordi Aldave and the Special Jury Mention Award to Que la beauté demeure dans nos coeurs by Amelie Saillez . And the Audience Award, awarded by the spectators who attended the screenings, was granted to the short film 1 vida by Virgínia Rodríguez .
