The Ajuntament de Puigcerdà and the Fundació Cerdanya Cinema have launched a new phase of cooperation, reaffirming their joint commitment to the Cerdanya Film Festival (CFF) during its 17th edition. The agreement ends weeks of uncertainty after earlier concerns over venue availability threatened the festival's traditional use of the Casino Ceretà in Puigcerdà.
Under the deal, the festival will proceed as planned from 30 July to 30 August 2026, featuring 250 screenings across six towns including Puigcerdà, Prullans, Martinet, Montellà, Alp and Bolvir. The programme includes 196 short films and 54 feature-length documentaries and films, with 12 pre-premieres and 50 premieres. The festival also serves as a qualifying event for Spain’s Goya Awards in the short film category.
Support for cultural and economic impact
Mayor Joan Manel Serra praised the director of the festival, Jordi Forcada, and the foundation team for their role in boosting Puigcerdà’s cultural profile. He stressed the municipal government’s aim to build relationships with local entities based on trust and institutional respect.
When there is willingness to make things happen, agreement is always possible,
Serra said.
First deputy mayor and councillor for Economic Promotion, Mercè Carbó, highlighted the festival’s economic value, noting its ability to attract talent, stimulate audiovisual investment, and position Puigcerdà as a filming destination. Culture and Education Councillor Nuria Laura Muñoz emphasized its educational outreach, particularly in engaging schools and fostering young people’s interest in filmmaking and creative industries.
International ambitions and industry growth
Agustí Argelich, responsible for internationalisation at the Fundació Cerdanya Cinema, outlined plans to expand the festival’s global reach, aiming to strengthen Puigcerdà and the wider Cerdanya region within key European audiovisual networks. This year’s Industry Days run from 1 to 16 August 2026, offering project pitching, networking, and expert panels, details available via the official festival programming page.
The festival will distribute €11,000 in prize money across major categories and €30,000 overall in the official selection, in addition to screening fees paid to filmmakers. The awards ceremony takes place on 15 August.
Primary sources: url.edu. Reported by Laura Nuel, Jordi Carreras, Miquel Spa, cerdanyafilmfestival.cat, Sílvia Oller, José Miguel Cruz, cerdanyacinema.cat, puigcerda.cat, Regió 7.
