Barcelona is getting ready to welcome a new edition of the Pantalla circuit, a proposal that, under the umbrella of Barcelona Districte Cultural, seeks to bring cinema to all the city’s neighborhoods. Organized by the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona (ICUB), the cycle will run from October 17, 2024 to the end of March 2025, with screenings in 23 civic centers around the city. This year, the event promises a diverse program, with award-winning films from festivals around the world, as well as a great novelty: the Petit Cineclub, designed for the little ones.
Quality cinema to reflect on the future
The Screen not only seeks to offer local cinema, but is also a space for reflection. The theme of this edition, “Imagining futures”, invites viewers to think about what is to come through ten films that address issues such as climate change, social justice, communication or artificial intelligence. Among the featured titles are “Alis”, a documentary that follows the lives of a group of young people in Bogota, and “As bestas”, an intense thriller by Rodrigo Sorogoyen that explores the tensions between tradition and modernity. Also to be screened is “El triángulo de la tristeza,” a critique of celebrity culture that questions power relations in crisis situations. Other titles include “Fantastic Machine,” which analyzes the impact of visual technology on our perception of the world, and “Gagarine,” which blends magical realism with social drama to narrate life in a suburb of Paris. Oscar winner “Nomadland” will also be part of the series, telling the story of a woman who lives as a nomad in the western United States.
Petit Cineclub: cinema for the little ones
One of the great novelties of this edition is the Petit Cineclub, a section dedicated to animated films for children between the ages of two and ten. This space includes six sessions with a total of 17 films, including the feature film “The Storybook Revolt”, inspired by the stories of Roald Dahl, and “Dunia and the Echo of the Drum”, which tells the story of a Syrian refugee girl in Canada. The Petit Cineclub is not only an opportunity to enjoy cinema with the family, but also offers an educational dimension. Each session will be accompanied by playful presentations by the characters Billy and Milly Oncle, who will make the little ones feel part of the experience.
More than movies: complementary activities
The Pantalla circuit is not limited to screenings. This year, spectators will also be able to participate in workshops, film forums, debates and talks with industry professionals. Pati de Cinema is one of the most outstanding activities: a nine-session workshop at the Pati Llimona Civic Center, where aspects such as the analysis of film language, screenwriting and photography are explored in depth. Another activity to highlight is the workshop on artificial intelligence in cinema, taught by Anna Giralt and Jorge Caballero. During three sessions, participants will explore how this technology is transforming filmmaking and experiment with innovative tools for the creation of images and sounds. In addition, the series includes a series of Dialogues with directors and experts. For example, in the talk on “The Triangle of Sadness,” Martín Habiague of the Mescladís Foundation will discuss topics such as gastronomy and social classes. The directors of “Alis”, Clare Weiskopf and Nicolas van Hemelryck, will talk about their creative process, while activist Javier Rueda will address the impact of climate change after the screening of “Utama”.
Free cinema for all
One of the great advantages of the Pantalla circuit is that all activities and screenings are free of charge. Tickets can be booked through the websites of the participating civic centers or in person, until full capacity is reached. With a program that ranges from documentaries to animated films, and with activities that go beyond the simple screening, the Pantalla circuit is consolidating itself as one of the most attractive cultural offers in Barcelona. It is a perfect opportunity to discover award-winning films and reflect on the future in a close and accessible environment for everyone.
