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Spotlight on the 21st Sevilla European Film Festival
This November, the Sevilla European Film Festival (SEFF) returns for its 21st edition, promising an exciting lineup and compelling new initiatives under the visionary leadership of celebrated Spanish producer Manuel Cristobal. Let’s dive into what’s shaping SEFF 2023 into an unmissable event.
Bringing the Festival Closer to Seville
In his sophomore year as the festival’s director, Cristobal is determined to forge stronger bonds between SEFF, the city of Seville, and its residents. One of the most notable changes this year is the substantial increase in both screenings and venues.
“We wanted to make this festival closer to the city,” says Cristobal. “That’s why we increased the number of venues and, for the first time, we’re using the Cartuja Center, a well-known venue with a giant screen and Dolby surround sound.”
Making Cinema Accessible
A significant emphasis has been placed on accessibility, ensuring film enthusiasts from all walks of life can participate. General admission prices are set at a highly affordable €3.50 ($3.77), and for individuals currently out of work, the cost is further reduced to €2.50 ($2.69). Children under three can attend for free, pointing to a robust family-friendly section within the festival’s lineup.
“We wanted to keep it accessible and increase the sizes of the audiences. Seville is a perfect city to do that, given it has more venues than the average European city, which is something we wanted to leverage,” Cristobal explains.
Audience Engagement and Diversity in Films
Cristobal notes that last year’s festival saw an impressive 85% of available tickets sold, showcasing high engagement levels and audience enthusiasm. This year, he and his team have broadened the festival’s scope to include a wide variety of films—not just those typically highlighted by arthouse festivals.
“We wanted to adopt a broader approach to European cinema. The concept of ‘European Cinema’ is very broad, and we aimed to represent this diversity. While arthouse cinema is featured, there are also more mainstream, crowd-pleasing European films that deserve the spotlight.”
Contemplative and Reflective Vibes
As one of the final European industry gatherings of the year, SEFF is set to have a more contemplative atmosphere. Its programming will reflect this with various non-screening programs offering insights and discussions.
“This festival is one of the last major cinema events of the year, and we wanted Seville to serve as a moment of reflection for the cinema community,” says Cristobal. “Our roundtable discussions will tackle themes like overproduction and theatrical distribution, encouraging participants to reflect on the past year and identify trends and goals for moving forward.”
Spotlighting European Cinema with the Puerto America Award
Despite the challenges of curating a festival in November, Cristobal views it as an opportune time to give films a PR boost ahead of the winter awards season. This year, SEFF will introduce the Puerto America Award, which will be given to one of the 16 Oscar-submitted films featured in its program.
“Historically, Seville was Europe’s gate to the Americas. With the Puerto America award, we aim to be the gateway for European films into the International Feature Oscars race,” Cristobal proudly shares.
The award seeks to provide additional exposure to European films vying for a spot on the December shortlist. SEFF also aims to attract more AMPAS members to attend the festival and participate in juries.
Nurturing New Talent with Future Frames
One of the exciting new partnerships this year sees SEFF collaborating with the European Film Promotion (EFP) on its Future Frames program. Initially launched at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the program supports ten emerging filmmakers through a tailored promotion and networking curriculum. Half of this year’s participants will showcase their latest short films at SEFF.
“The Seville European Film Festival is committed to new talent. Partnering with European Film Promotion through the Future Frames program is a fantastic way to demonstrate that European talent is nurtured and valued here.”
Elevating Screenwriters and Industry Professionals
SEFF is also championing screenwriters by collaborating with the European Federation of Screenwriters, ensuring they receive prominent billing alongside directors, producers, and actors in film credits.
Additionally, this year marks the inaugural Frame Sevilla, an event designed to bring film industry professionals together for roundtables, workshops, and talks focused on production, management, training, and distribution. These industry-driven conversations will run from November 11 through November 15.
“There are numerous new aspects this year, and we’ll continue unveiling programs and initiatives that are meaningful for both the festival and Seville.”
A Festival that Reflects the City’s Spirit
Cristobal emphasizes that SEFF’s relationship with Seville is at the core of their vision. The festival aims to mirror the city’s vibrant and colorful character, drawing on its lively spirit.
“The fact that this festival is in Seville is invaluable. When people think of Seville, they envision a lively, colorful city, and we want that to be reflected in our program.”
Join SEFF 2023: A Celebrated Confluence of Cinema and Community
SEFF 2023 promises to be a unique celebration of cinema, community, and cultural reflection, positioning itself as an essential event on the European film calendar. Stay tuned for more updates and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of the Sevilla European Film Festival this November.
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