ISLANTILLA KICKS OFF THE FOURTEENTH EDITION OF ITS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE MOON WITH THE AWARDING OF THE 'FRANCISCO ELÍAS' AWARD TO THE PRODUCER MARTA VELASCO.

Last night, the Hotel Estival Islantilla hosted the Opening Gala of the exhibition, which thus begins two months of screenings of the best independent cinema with free outdoor sessions.

Actress Pepa Charro led a ceremony in which figures such as director Benito Zambrano supported the new president of the newly created Andalusian Film Academy.

Last night, the gardens of the Hotel Estival Islantilla hosted the Opening Gala and the presentation of the 'Francisco Elías' Award to the producer Marta Velasco within the framework of the fourteenth edition of the International Film Festival under the Moon – Islantilla Cinefórum, a show that during the The next two months will bring to your screens the best independent audiovisual production of the last year in this corner of the Atlantic shared by the Huelva municipalities of Isla Cristina and Lepe.

The ceremony, which began with a performance by the Isleña Musical Band, was conducted by actress Pepa Charro, who has worked under directors such as Pedro Almodóvar ('The Passenger Lovers'), Cesc Gay ('Truman') , Santiago Segura ('Father There Is No More Than One') or Alfonso Albacete ('The Bride of America'), and has achieved enormous popularity by giving life to her most media character, La Terremoto de Alcorcón. The Madrid native, with strong ties to the province of Huelva personally, displayed her generous sympathy before an audience with restricted capacity due to anti-COVID19 security measures who indulged in a night full of emotions, and during her speech at the head of the Gala launched a plea shouting “culture is safe” in defense of shows and an industry that has especially suffered the devastating economic effects of the pandemic.

Dressed in a protesting mask with the rainbow flag on a day marked by the celebrations of Gay Pride Day throughout Spain and part of the planet, Pepa Charro gave way to the director from Lebrija Benito Zambrano, one of the main collaborators in which the career of Marta Velasco as a producer is one of the most brilliant that Andalusian cinema has contributed to the Seventh Art.

Zambrano, who has worked with the honoree in the celebrated feature film Intemperie (2019), nominated for the Goya for Best Film, highlighted Marta Velasco "not only her professionalism, but also her human quality", and thanked her for giving herself "fully and soul in each project in which she is involved, because although she does not feel like it, her work is very much that of a businesswoman, of obtaining the necessary financial resources so that others like me can make art.”

The Andalusian director offered a simile, recalling that “cinema is an industry, it generates wealth, jobs for many people, tax collection, etc.; As an industry, it requires a lot of work, it means getting up very early, setting up structures, building stages, cutting streets... it is not something that is carried out without sacrifice; and as such an industry, cinema is an investment, and involves a risk; but unlike other industries, the result is something intangible, not material... and even so, it is worth it, because our work serves to feed the soul of those people who, when they come home after a hard day of work, feel "to see a movie and reconcile with life."

Benito Zambrano wished Marta Velasco “many years of work because she is one of the best producers we have, but, in view of her career, Marta is also one of the best producers we are going to have, because she is very young.”

The winner was also accompanied by the president of the Association of Andalusian Film Writers (ASECAN), Lourdes Palacios, who thanked Marta Velasco for having “the bravery, the heart and the courage to carry out her professional project.” taking into account that, as a woman, she has not had any other woman as a reference in which to look at herself; something that thanks to her will change in the future, because many others will be able to see themselves in it.” Likewise, Palacios recognized the honoree "for having managed to carry out the project of the new Andalusian Film Academy and the Carmen Awards for Andalusian cinema, because without her tenacity, this enormous task would not have been possible."

Presentation of the 'Francisco Elías' Award to Marta Velasco.

The honored producer received the award from the institutional representatives of the Commonwealth of Islantilla, Isabel López and Jesús Toronjo, Deputy Mayor of the Municipalities of Isla Cristina and Lepe, respectively.

A visibly excited Marta Velasco addressed the audience to thank the 'Francisco Elías' Award, “a recognition that bears the name of a pioneer of our land, the first to shoot a sound film in Spain in 1928, and that is always a responsibility". Velasco pointed out as a wink of destiny the fact that, precisely, “the last film that Francisco Elías shot was titled Marta.

With a racing heart and tears in her eyes, Marta Velasco wanted to remember her mother at such an important moment for her, “because approximately a year ago I was with her in a hospital and she finally died, but not before pushing me to fight for her. my dreams and to work hard for them, so I can only dedicate this award and those that come in the future to her wherever she is.”

The Sevillian producer also wanted to thank the Commonwealth of Islantilla, the Festival team and the members of the Board of Directors of the Andalusian Film Academy for their presence on such an important night for her, and also to her “partner in life and projects, Gonzalo Bendala, with whom I also share a daughter who is, without a doubt, the best of my productions.”

In addition to Benito Zambrano and Lourdes Palacios, the Andalusian Film Academy has been represented at the Islantilla Festival by the actress Mercedes Hoyos, vice president of the entity, who shared a photocall with other industry professionals such as the producer José Luis Díaz or the representative and specialized journalist Rafa Pontes.

During the opening gala, the main contents of an edition were presented that will once again feature twelve feature films and 100 shorts in competition, in addition to several cycles and parallel sections with Andalusian Cinema, the Centenary of Luis Ciges, the children's film Minifórum and the out-of-competition premiere of the documentary Historias del agua, by José Carlos de la Isla and Paco Ortiz, as a complementary offering to its programming.

In addition, the night featured a special performance by the Argentine singer, composer and actor Maximiliano Calvo, who performed several songs, including one presented on a delayed basis by the singer María Jiménez, who sent the Organization of the exhibition a funny message of video aimed at all attendees of the Gala.

With this event, two months of free screenings begin, for all audiences and in the light of the moon, which will last throughout the entire summer season in what is probably the longest film festival in the world, and which will give The Official Competition Section will begin tomorrow, Monday, with sessions in the patio of the Islantilla Cultural Center located on Avenida de Río Frío.

The screenings will begin at 10:30 p.m., and begin tomorrow with the Chilean feature film by Marco Antonio Núñez titled Al mar. Monday and Wednesday will feature feature films, while Tuesday and Thursday will be reserved for the screening of the one hundred short films in competition.

The Festival programming can be consulted on the website www.islantillacineforum.com