Aguilar de Campoo, a picturesque town in the Castilian region of Palencia, in Northern Spain, is best known for its biscuits and warm hospitality. Each year, it transforms into a vibrant hub of cinematic celebration. With nearly four decades of history, the Aguilar de Campoo Short Film Festival (AFF), has become an essential platform for filmmakers worldwide, earning a reputation for showcasing works of exceptional quality.

The 36th edition of the Festival commenced on November 298th with an opening ceremony that reaffirmed its importance as one of Spain’s premier showcases for short films. This year, the presence of British cinema was particularly strong, thanks to a collaboration with the British Council that has now spanned five years. Through this partnership, audiences had the chance to enjoy the eight short films nominated for the prestigious 2024 Bafta Awards, cementing AFF’s role as a cultural bridge between Spain and the United Kingdom.

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A stellar programme

Among the featured short films, three stood out for their exploration of the relationship between humans and the sea: Jellyfish & Lobster (Yasmin Afifi; pictured below),Crab Day (Ross Stringer) and the stunning Wild Summon (Karni Arieli and Saul Freed; pictured at the top of this article) – all of them Bafta winners this year. Wild Summon received critical acclaim for its bold narrative and hyperrealistic visuals, which anthropomorphises a salmon to address universal themes such as oppression and emotional connection.

Karni Arieli, co-director of Wild Summon, explained: “We wanted to create a story that, although centred on a salmon, resonated deeply with human audiences. Depicting the journey of a salmon as if it were a woman seeks to build universal empathy. It’s a technical and emotional challenge, but that’s what makes our work so exciting”. He also emphasised the importance of showcasing visually innovative stories at festivals like AFF: “It’s crucial for these stories to find a space where they can be seen and felt. Spain has a special energy: its people and culture inspire us. We hope to visit Aguilar de Campoo someday—it would be a dream to do so sustainably.”

The selection also included works of great thematic and technical diversity, such as Visible Mending (Samantha Moore), an animated documentary on emotional repair; Such a Lovely Day (Simon Woods), which tackles urban disconnection; Gorka (Joe Weiland), blending comedy and drama; Festival of Slaps (Abdou Cissé), focused on cultural dynamics; and Yellow (Elham Ehsas), a poignant reflection on identity and displacement.

According to Jorge Rivero, Artistic Director of AFF: “Bafta-nominated short films always generate great anticipation. This year has been no exception. The British works have moved, inspired, and surprised an audience that increasingly values short films as a powerful tool for storytelling”.

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A tribute to individuals

The opening ceremony also featured heartfelt tributes to prominent figures in Spanish cinema. Actor Pepe Viyuela, renowned for his versatility in theatre and film, was honoured for his artistic career. In his speech, Viyuela expressed his surprise at receiving the award: “I didn’t expect this award because I’ve always felt more at home in theatre than in cinema. However, I accept it with the responsibility of continuing to share parts of myself through every role. Theatre and cinema are different ways of portraying life, and each has allowed me to connect with audiences in unique ways”.

Meanwhile, José Luis Cienfuegos, Director of the Seminci, dedicated his award to Fernando Lara, the festival’s former director, highlighting the essential role of film festivals in promoting auteur cinema: “This award honours decades of dedication to auteur cinema, a work only made possible by passionate teams. Festivals are more important than ever today – not just to preserve cinema as an art form but to build cultural dialogue between communities”. He also praised AFF’s standing in Spain’s cinematic landscape: “In a country with over 200 short film festivals, Aguilar de Campoo is in the Champions League. What this festival has achieved is incredible – an exceptional effort by the organising team has placed this event among the most significant for short films in Spain.”

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Building cultural bridges

Jorge Rivero highlighted the impact of the collaboration with the British Council: “The relationship we’ve built with the British Council is one of the festival’s cornerstones. Bringing Bafta-nominated short films to Aguilar de Campoo not only ensures quality but also allows us to connect with stories that might otherwise be difficult to access. Our audience always appreciates this window into British cinema”,

In every edition, the Festival demonstrates that, even from a small town renowned for its biscuits, bridges can be built between cultures and realities, making short films a vehicle for universal connection. With British cinema taking centre stage and tributes to key figures, the festival reaffirms its place as a cornerstone of Spain’s cultural calendar.