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The Madrid Films by Women Festival closes its eighth edition, during which 62 feature films from 18 different countries were screened. The provisional figures received until last Friday speak for themselves: 18 total sold-outs and 4,526 spectators, not including the attendees to the 17 screenings and activities that took place on November Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th. The channel 8Madridtv, where 6 feature films by Spanish directors were screened, had an audience of 31,000 people and more than 400 people watched the 3 films from the international competition on FILMIN. During the 13 days of the festival, from October 28th to November 9th, that took place in 18 venues, Madrid was filled with activities, colloquiums and screenings with the aim of making visible and paying tribute to cinema directed by women (not FOR or ABOUT women). In addition, the spectators were able to enjoy the presence of 53 professionals: 33 directors, 6 actresses and 14 experts.
The crowning touch took place during the closing gala, held on Sunday, November 9th, at the Palacio de la Prensa in Callao. Numerous representatives of the industry attended the event, in which the feature film Silent Rebellion, by Marie-Elsa Sgualdo, was screened. The gala was hosted by Sol Alonso, Carlota Álvarez Basso and Diego Mas Trelles.
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During the closing gala, the long-awaited awards of this edition were revealed! First, the 2025 Award for Best Spanish Film was presented. On this occasion, the award went to Sorda, by Eva Libertad, "for its extraordinary cinematographic and social value, offering a fully adapted work that invites us to reflect on the coexistence between the world of listeners and that of people with hearing disabilities". This prize consists of a €3,000 discount on the rental of lighting material for the next project carried out by the director, courtesy of Aluzine; €3,000 in discounts on film equipment rental, courtesy of RC Service; and a limited-edition Huawei Watch GT 6, valued at €249, courtesy of UWA, UHD World Association. The award was presented by Macarena Gámir Linares, Deputy Director General of Women and Equal Opportunities of the Ministry of Family, Youth and Social Affairs of the Comunidad de Madrid.
Subsequently, the Baturu Award for Best New Director 2025 was presented and went to Avelina Prat for Una quinta portuguesa. "Her proposal, delicate and precise, immerses us in parallel universes that subtly intersect, weaving a story of half-truths with a sensitivity that evokes Pessoa, Oliveira and other great Portuguese references. It also highlights the elegance in the visual composition and the narrative balance that reveal a promising authorial voice," the Jury said. This award comprises a one-month creative residency in Bangkok, courtesy of the Baturu Festival, including airfare, accommodation and meals, as well as a limited-edition Huawei Watch GT 6, courtesy of UWA, UHD World Association. The award was presented by Antonia Zegers, a renowned Chilean actress.
Afterwards, the 2025 Award for Best International Film of the Madrid Films by Women Festival was announced and went to Happy Birthday, by Sarah Goher (Egypt). "Sarah Goher's gaze through the eyes of Doha Ramadan, the wonderful little 8-year-old actress, brings the humanity necessary to engage in a debate about the privileges and role of women in our society," stressed the Jury. This award consists of 4K colour correction for 3 weeks in the Místika digital cinema of Free Your Mind, valued at €30,000, for her next feature film; the creation of a DCP in original version subtitled in Spanish by the company Subtitula'm, valued at €1,000; and a limited-edition Huawei Watch GT 6, courtesy of UWA, UHD World Association. The award was presented by Arantxa Echevarría, renowned director and member of the International Jury.
Finally, the Special Mention of the Jury went to the feature film Jakobs Ross (Songs Within), by Katalin Gödrös (Switzerland), "for its powerful metaphor about the price of the female voice – that voice that even today continues to pay a high cost for expressing itself freely". The mention was given by Martina Gusmán, renowned Argentine actress and member of the International Jury.
Here are 4 movies you can't miss! We hope that the two international feature films will be distributed in Spain.
We look forward to seeing you next year at the ninth edition of the Madrid Films by Women Festival, which, once again, will surprise viewers with an extensive programme full of talented women directors!
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