Celebrating Excellence in Educational Cinema: CinedFest 2023
On Monday morning, June 20, 2023, the grand Gala Final of the CinedFest Awards took place, featuring the 11th edition of the Educational Film Festival dedicated to secondary schools across the Canary Islands. The events began the day prior, on June 19, with an exciting Primary School Ceremony, showcasing the remarkable talents of younger filmmakers.
Highlights from the Primary School Category
Among the winners, schools from Fuerteventura stood out with several prestigious awards. Notably, the Escuela Unitaria de Valles de Ortega received the Best Comedy Short award for their film “El profe ha desaparecido”. This ceremony, held in collaboration with the Municipality of Antigua, exemplified the festival’s focus on fostering creativity and skills in children.
CinedFest is not merely a competition but a participative and integrative festival designed to promote cinema and audiovisual culture within the educational sector. This year’s festival celebrated a total of 115 awards across various categories from a remarkable 528 entries submitted from schools throughout the archipelago.
Another noteworthy winner from the Primary category was “Palomitas de mar ¡No te las puedes llevar!” from CEIP Lajares, which took home the award for Best Animation.
Achievements from Secondary School Participants
In the secondary school category, films like “Por ti, sí nos mojamos” from IES Corralejo garnered recognition in the Diversity and Inclusion category. Another contender, “Nautae”, represented the IES Puerto Cabras – Rafael Báez, showcasing the diverse and engaging narratives young filmmakers are exploring.
CinedFest: A Platform for Growth and Recognition
CinedFest not only offers islands-specific awards conducted by participating councils, but it also highlights the best of every region’s emerging talent. The event was hosted in Corralejo, where the Cabildo of Fuerteventura awarded many prizes, including the prestigious Best Short Film award. This accolade went to “Nautae”, a film that will represent the island in the CinedFest finals in Tenerife.
Other notable mentions included “Desconexión: Más Allá de las pantallas” from IES La Oliva, and the comedic short “¡El profe ha desaparecido!”, which also secured awards for Best Screenplay and Best Direction, alongside recognition for Best Photography.
Recognizing Talent and Creativity
Among the awarded talents was Imran Koné, who won the Best Actor award for his commendable performance in “Nautae”, while Alice Corinnegeorgia took home the Best Actress award for her role in “Chisme en el Insti” from IES La Oliva.
The Supportive Ecosystem of CinedFest
CinedFest is a collaborative effort backed by various institutions, including the Government of the Canary Islands, multiple participating councils, and local organizations like the Fuerteventura Film Commission. This collaborative atmosphere helps promote local talents and encourages them to reach broader audiences.
A Decade of Inspiring Creativity
CinedFest, initiated in 2014 under the guidance of filmmaker David Cánovas and composer Antonio Hernández through the Free Run Producciones and Free Run Educa Association, has grown immensely over the years. It has transformed into a national event that attracts not only local talents but entries from as far as Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador.
The Cultural Impact of CinedFest
With the unwavering support of local councils and cultural organizations, CinedFest continues to thrive, making a significant impact on the educational landscape of the Canary Islands. It emphasizes the importance of integrating arts and culture into education, providing students with the tools and opportunities needed to express themselves through cinema.
As CinedFest embarks on this year’s final, it’s clear that the festival is not merely an event but a movement—one that nurtures and celebrates young filmmakers, encouraging them to tell their stories creatively and compellingly.
