The 'Cinema Libre Talks' are here, an opportunity to enjoy and chat about film with professionals from the Balearic Islands and Catalonia
The Sa Riera building of the UIB, the Can Sales Library in Palma and the Can Torró Library in Alcúdia will host, on December 2, 3 and 4, screenings of films and short films accompanied by conversations with professionals from the film industry.
PalmThe 'Cinema Libre Talks' are here, and for the first time, they're being held in person. The team from Free Cinema This unique opportunity offers the chance to enjoy and discuss film with industry professionals. The format includes the screening of one or more films followed by a discussion with their creators. This third edition of 'Talks' will feature the following feature films: The Imminent Age, with the Vigilia Collective and its lead actor, and Hail Marywith editor Aina Calleja, and the short films The Farce, Fallow and Catalina and MagalufWith Guillem Miró, Josep Alorda, and Maria Pujalte.
In total, three different sessions have been scheduled for December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, starting at 6:00 PM, in Palma and Alcúdia, municipalities that also host the Free Cinema on the Beach screenings during the summer. Admission is free and no prior registration is required until capacity is reached. While open to all audiences, these sessions have become a meeting point especially for students, film lovers, and filmmakers who want to connect with talent in the industry.
Three days of young, local talent
The Auditorium of the Sa Riera Building at the UIB will host the first session of the 'Free Cinema Talks' on Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:15 pm, in collaboration with the University of the Balearic Islands Film Club. In keeping with this university spirit, the film chosen for this first screening is...Imminent AgeA film created by a student collective and nominated for the 2024 Gaudí Awards for Best New Director. Following the screening, the audience will be able to participate in a discussion with members of Col·lectiu Vigília, the film's creators, who will be present virtually, along with its lead actor, Miquel Mas Martínez. Cultural manager Tina Codina will moderate the conversation, which will cover topics such as the creative process, the challenges of undertaking a collective project, and breaking into the film industry.
The Can Sales Library in Palma is another venue that has chosen to host this initiative, so the 'Cine Libre Talks' will take place there on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 6:15 pm. This session will showcase the talent of Mallorcan cinema through three short films that explore diverse perspectives: The Farce, by Guillem Miró; Fallowby Josep Alorda; and Catalina and Magalufby Maria Pujalte. After the screenings, the filmmakers will share their creative processes and behind-the-scenes experiences with the audience, moderated by journalist, screenwriter, and producer Marta Hierro.
The final session, on Thursday, December 4th at 6:00 PM, will take place at the Can Torró Library in Alcúdia, which has also partnered with the project. Hail Mary It will be the feature film that closes the 'Cine Libre Talks' series, followed by a discussion after the screening. The film's editor, Aina Calleja, will also speak with Marta Hierro, sharing with the audience their experience building the rhythm, emotion, and narrative of this story, directed by Mar Coll, about the dark and little-explored side of motherhood.
What is Cine Libre?
Cinema Libre is a project by Mago Production that has become an umbrella for free-access initiatives to promote independent cinema and emerging talent throughout the year. Its flagship project is Cinema Libre en la Playa (Cinema Libre on the Beach), an open-air film festival held annually between June and August on the beaches of Catalonia and Mallorca. This initiative began 15 years ago in Barcelona and arrived in Mallorca five years ago, with the aim of bringing quality cinema to everyone. Cinema Libre has also supported other initiatives in Mallorca: Cinema Libre en la Biblioteca (Cinema Libre at the Library), from 2019 to 2022; Cinema Libre Conecta (Cinema Libre Connects), in 2022 and 2023; and the Cinema Libre Talks, since 2023.
Over the past three years, the 'Cinema Libre Talks' have established themselves as a key forum for reflection and dialogue within the audiovisual sector. Until now, the format has been exclusively online, allowing for the participation of professionals from diverse backgrounds. Previous editions have featured figures such as Sofi Escudé, film editor; Antonina Obrador, director of the feature film QuestGris Jordana, director of photography; as well as directors Rubén Rojo and Ruth Caudeli, who have also shared their vision and experience.
This year's collaborators include the Balearic Government, the Institute of Balearic Studies, the Council of Mallorca, and the Alcúdia City Council. The project is also made possible thanks to the University of the Balearic Islands, the UIB University Film Club, the Can Sales Library, and the Alcúdia Can Torró Library Foundation.
A document with more information about the films and speakers is available, as well as a folder with graphic material from the third edition of 'Cinema Libre Talks', with images of all the films that will be screened and photographs from previous editions of the Cinema Libre format at the Library.