Even if critics often award the most important prizes to deserving movies, more often, when people think about those festivals, they remember Hollywood celebrities and the most commercial movies, which are better promoted and which gain success in the screening rooms. But this is not true if we consider l'Alternativa, Barcelona Independent Film Festival, which will take place from the 14th to the 22nd November in various venues of the city. The Festival, which, as we can understand from its name, is meant to be completely different from any other cinema festival, this year will celebrate its 15th edition. The festival is organised every year by La F'brica de Cinema Alternatiu, an association created in 1992 by a group of directors, producers and other professionals in the field of cinema as a reaction against traditional cinema. The F'brica de Cinema Alternatiu is meant to promote the most innovative works in the audiovisual field, creating useful spaces to discuss and get to know the works of those directors who otherwise would not emerge; and also for this reason it is worth visiting Barcelona during these days.



The Festival hosts screenings of good films, which cannot easily find their space in commercial circuits, and one of the missions of the festival is that of bringing to light those diamonds that otherwise would risk to remain hidden. No frivolity and paillettes in this festival, but only pure and simple movies, which is something different from what we are used to, and for this reason these movies give us the possibility to open up our mind and to broaden our horizons. The Festival, indeed, is also meant to present movies, documentaries and short films which can make us rethink the way we see the world, make us know new things and make us travel, with our eyes and with our mind, reaching distant places. The selected independent movies are chosen because they make us think and because they give us the possibility to discuss important issues.

The only similarity between L'Alternativa and traditional Film Festivals is that also Barcelona's festival includes an official selection and parallel sections. The movies of the official selection are divided into 4 sections (short, feature, animation and documentary), and represent the best in the independent production of the last two years: 75 innovative and engaged works realised by directors coming from all over the world, who have the opportunity to introduce themselves to a wide audience. Parallel sections include retrospectives, tributes and works from international film schools, and can be considered as a good starting point for discussions about artistic forms and expression means.

Apart from the screenings, also parallel activities are particularly important: spectators will have the opportunity to take part in debates and round tables meeting directors, cinema experts, professional and historians, and to discuss with them about filmmaking, cinema, its social role and its cultural influences.

Visit also the most experimental space of the Festival, the Pantalla Hall, where visitors will have the possibility to watch (for free) the screenings of the most experimental works realised by those directors who seek to explore new techniques and who are usually excluded from commercial circuits.

If you love cinema, but you need to experience something new, the Barcelona Film Festival is the ideal place for you!

It's not casual that an event like the Independent Film Festival takes place in Barcelona, a lively city which is also Spain cultural centre. Barcelona attracts visitors also for many other reasons, and if you want to be sure to find an accommodation, we suggest that you book in advance a cheap hostel.

Date: 14th-22nd November 2008

Location: various venues, Barcelona, Spain