Actress Emma Suárez and producer Carmen Aguado will be honoured at the 21st edition of the Festivalito La Palma, which will take place from September 11 to 19 in El Paso. The festival introduces the Cinerama Canarias section to highlight local audiovisual production.
The Festivalito La Palma is gearing up for its twenty-first edition, which will be held from September 11 to 19 in El Paso. The organisation has announced that actress Emma Suárez and producer Carmen Aguado will be this year's honourees, recognising their extensive careers in Spanish cinema.
The official presentation, held with a strong institutional representation, revealed the novelties of a festival that has managed to establish itself as an unmissable event for the Canary Islands' audiovisual sector. The president of the Cabildo Insular de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, stated that the festival "is a key piece for the audiovisual sector in the Canary Islands and, particularly, for La Palma."
A festival that grows with Cinerama Canarias
The festival director, José Víctor Fuentes, explained that this edition marks a new milestone with the creation of the Cinerama Canarias section, a competitive and exhibition category that seeks to recognise the work of the audiovisual industry in the islands. "We want to differentiate between films shot in the archipelago by foreign producers and works created entirely by the professional fabric of the Canary Islands," Fuentes pointed out.
This initiative comes at a time when audiovisual production in the Canary Islands is experiencing a boom thanks to tax incentives and the diversity of landscapes. For local creators, it represents a unique opportunity to showcase their talent on an international stage. The festival also maintains its shooting section, which allows filmmakers from around the world to film on the island during the event.
The Festivalito 360 extends cinema throughout the year
The cultural councillor of the El Paso City Council, Irinova Hernández, highlighted the Festivalito 360 programme, which has managed to integrate cinematic activities into local cultural life throughout the year. "The festival has known how to grow, adapt to the times, and maintain its essence intact," Hernández stated, visibly proud that El Paso is the main venue.
The mayor of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Asier Antona, also spoke to praise the economic impact of the festival and emphasised the importance of the Campus Festivalito, a training space that offers opportunities to new generations. "Reaching more than two decades of history is not a matter of chance, but of creativity, talent, and a firm commitment to La Palma as a natural set," Antona remarked.
For the island's residents, the Festivalito is not just a cultural event but an economic engine that attracts visitors and generates employment. Screenings and activities will be spread across El Paso and other municipalities, allowing the public to enjoy cinema in different corners of La Palma.
Since its founding in 2002, the festival has established itself as a meeting place for filmmakers and students from around the world. Its foundational mission, centred on the shooting section, remains alive while the event explores new ways to continue demonstrating that cinema has the transformative power to create community.
Tickets for screenings and activities will soon be available through the festival's website. Cinema lovers in La Palma already have a date marked on their calendars: from September 11 to 19, the seventh art will take over the island.
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