The 12th SOL FILM Festival transforms Torrevieja into the center of short films with an edition dedicated to the female gaze

From July 9 to 12, Torrevieja will once again become one of the main showcases for national short films with the celebration of the twelfth edition of the SOL FILM FESTIVAL, a fully consolidated event within the Spanish audiovisual scene that will bring together actors, directors, producers, screenwriters and film industry professionals in the city.

The 2026 edition will be dedicated to the "Female Gaze", a theme that aims to highlight the role of women in the world of cinema, both in front of and behind the cameras, showcasing their creative talent, promoting new narratives and generating spaces for reflection on the evolution and challenges that the audiovisual sector still faces from a female perspective.

Over four intense days, the festival will offer screenings, meetings with filmmakers, discussions and galas open to the public, consolidating Torrevieja as a cultural and cinematic benchmark of the summer.

Ángela Molina will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening gala.

The official opening will take place on Thursday, July 9, at 8:00 p.m., at the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Center, in a gala that will feature a red carpet and the presence of numerous guests from the national film scene.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the prestigious actress Ángela Molina, one of the leading figures in Spanish cinema, who will be recognized for her brilliant artistic career. In addition, the first session of short films from the Official Selection will be screened during the ceremony.

The gala will be presented by the Torrevieja-born communicator Daniela Momo and will feature numerous participating directors and actors, including María Lorente-Becerra, director of La última canción ; Javier Bódalo, actor in Condolenc-ias ; Enrique Vasalo, director of Guía para circula por las aceras ; Gonzalo Ruiz, director of Las desqueridas ; and the Torrevieja-born director David de Loro, author of Ya no duele , among others.

THREE DAYS TO ENJOY THE BEST NATIONAL SHORT FILMS

The screenings will continue on July 10 and 11, starting at 4:00 p.m., in the Neocines theaters, located in the new Paseo del Mar leisure center, in the port of Torrevieja.

Each session will feature the participation of the artistic and technical teams of the short films, offering the public the opportunity to learn firsthand about the creative process of the selected works.

Confirmed guests include actor Juan José Ballesta; director Rodrigo Marini and producer Gerardo de las Morenas, responsible for Dopamina Zero ; Álvaro G. Company, director of Por dentro ; Rubén Guindo, director of Montecarlo 67 , winner of eight Fugaz Awards 2026; Anna Saura, director of the animated short Sophia ; Rubén Bautista, director of Condolenc-ias ; Jandro, director of El revisor ; Torrevieja filmmaker Carlos Mures, director of No tengo nada que perder ; Francisco Villegas, screenwriter and producer of Interferencias ; and Lucía Forner, director of Berta , among other professionals.

A COLLOQUIUM ON WOMEN IN FILM WILL CLOSE THIS UNIQUE EDITION

The festival will close on Sunday, July 12, starting at 7:00 p.m., at the Torrevieja Casino.

The day will begin with the colloquium "Female Gaze", a meeting in which renowned filmmakers will discuss the present, evolution and challenges of women within the film industry.

The Awards Gala will then take place, bringing the event to a close, followed by a gathering of attendees and film professionals with live music, a cold dinner and an after-party.

TWENTY-FOUR SHORT FILMS WILL COMPETE FOR THE FESTIVAL'S MAIN PRIZES

The Official Section consists of 24 short films, mostly Spanish, along with one French production and several international co-productions.

All screenings will be offered in Spanish with English subtitles, thus reinforcing the international character of the event.

The works will compete for the following awards:

• Best Fiction Short Film (1,000 euros and trophy).
• Best Animated Short Film (500 euros and a trophy).
• Best Short Documentary Film (500 euros and a trophy).
• SOL Torrevieja Award for Best Short Film in the Valencian Community (500 euros and trophy).
• UNED Torrevieja Audience Award (500 euros and trophy).

In addition, the jury will award several honorary recognitions for Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Male Performance, Best Female Performance, as well as the "Female Gaze" Award and the Festival Godmother Award, both intended to recognize the work of female creators or projects with a gender perspective.

FREE ENTRY FOR MOST OF THE PROGRAMMING

Attendance at the opening gala and the screenings on July 10 and 11 will be free, with prior reservation of an invitation through the festival's official website.

Tickets for the Closing Gala and Awards Ceremony will cost 25 euros, including access to the event, a cold dinner, and a meeting afterwards with the filmmakers and participants of the festival.