The International Fantastic Film Festival of Galicia joins the most prestigious genre film network, consolidating its position as the leading festival in northwest Spain and a key player internationally.
Curtas Festival do Imaxinario today announces its historic membership in the Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF), the most prestigious global network dedicated to fantasy and genre cinema.
This milestone represents international recognition of the quality, history, and reach of the Galician festival, placing it among the select circuit of the most important film events in Europe and the world.
A Strategic Leap for the Festival
Joining the Méliès Federation is a giant leap forward for Curtas. This inclusion is not only a mark of quality that certifies the excellence of its programming, but it also has a direct and prestigious consequence: the festival will now award the Méliès d’Argent (Silver Méliès) to the best European fantasy short film.
Starting with its next edition, Curtas will select the best European fantasy short films from its official competition to award them the Méliès d’Argent. Winners of this distinction will automatically enter the competition for the Méliès d’Or (Golden Méliès), the award that annually crowns the best European fantasy production.
For the festival director, Luis M. Rosales, “this news is the culmination of years of work to position Vilagarcía on the map of international cinema. Being part of the Méliès family places us at the level of legendary festivals and gives us the responsibility and the privilege of promoting European fantasy cinema from Galicia.”
What is the Méliès Federation?
The Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF) is a network that brings together the most important fantasy film festivals in Europe, with associate members in the Americas and Asia. Its main mission is the promotion and support of European genre cinema.
Membership in the federation means being part of an elite group that includes events such as the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival (Catalonia), the BIFFF (Brussels, Belgium), and the NIFFF (Neuchâtel, Switzerland), among others.
The operation of its awards program (the Méliès d’Argent and d’Or) creates a unique circuit that fosters the exchange of films and talent among member festivals, offering an unparalleled platform for filmmakers.
The Consolidation of Curtas
Just a few days ago, Curtas Festival do Imaxinario received the prestigious EFFE Label 2026-2027, the European quality seal that recognizes the continent’s most outstanding arts festivals. This award, granted by the European Festivals Association (EFA) with the support of the European Commission, integrates Curtas into an elite network that celebrates excellence, innovation, and cultural impact. It acknowledges the artistic commitment, community engagement, and reach of the International Fantastic Film Festival 9f Galicia.
The EFFE Label not only values the quality of the artistic programming but also places special emphasis on three fundamental pillars that define modern festivals: artistic commitment, the ability to involve the local community, and a strong international and European perspective.
With this recognition, Curtas Festival do Imaxinario strengthens its position on three strategic levels:
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In Northwest Spain: It is consolidating itself as the most important genre film event with the greatest international projection in the entire Galicia-Northern Portugal Euroregion.
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In the Spain: It positions itself as a key player alongside the other major member festivals of the federation in Spain (Sitges, FANT Bilbao, San Sebastian Horror Week, etc.), creating an Atlantic axis of reference for the fantastic.
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At an International Level: The festival officially enters the big leagues, exponentially increasing its capacity to attract top-level premieres, international guests, and the attention of the global industry and specialized press.
Thus projecting the image of Vilagarcía de Arousa and Galicia as a center of innovative and high-quality film culture.
Curtas Festival do Imaxinario has the institutional support of the Vilagarcía de Arousa City Council, the Pontevedra Provincial Council, and the Xunta de Galicia (Regional Government of Galicia). It is sponsored by De Angeles Films, Gadis, and Rei Zentolo.
