ENDORSEMENTS AND ALLIANCES
Connecting fantasy cinema with the global industry
The work of Curtas Festival do Imaxinario has been endorsed by its membership in the most prestigious international federations, strategic professional networks, and European quality accreditations. These alliances not only consolidate Curtas as the longest-running event in Galicia and an essential benchmark in the global genre film circuit, but also reinforce our commitment to excellence and international projection from Vilagarcía de Arousa.
COMPETITIONS & AWARDS
MÉLIÈS D’ARGENT
The Méliès d’Argent is the international award with which Curtas Festival do Imaxinario distinguishes the best European genre short film from its Official Selection. This accolade establishes the festival as a key validator within the continental circuit.
The winning work in Vilagarcía gains direct recognition and access to compete for the Méliès d’Or, the highest distinction for fantastic cinema in Europe. Thus, the festival ensures a global projection platform for emerging talent before critics and the specialized industry.
FUGAZ AWARDS
Curtas Festival do Imaxinario reaffirms its influence in the industry as a “Festival Amigo” (Partner Festival) of the Fugaz Awards, the leading short film awards in Spain. This alliance makes the event the first in Galicia with a voice and a vote in the professional commission that decides these awards.
The direct participation of Curtas Festival do Imaxinario in this network of over 1,500 experts ensures that genre cinema has a solid representation within the industry. This strategic connection establishes the festival as an essential validation hub for national talent on their journey toward the major milestones of Spanish cinema.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
DREAD CENTRAL: THE 90 BEST GENRE FESTIVALS ON EARTH
Curtas Festival do Imaxinario has been selected by Dread Central, the global authority on horror and fantasy cinema, as one of the 90 Best Genre Film Festivals on Earth.
This distinction, awarded by a panel of industry experts, critics, and filmmakers, places Curtas among the world’s elite alongside legendary events such as Sitges, TIFF (Midnight Madness), and Austin Fantastic Fest.
Dread Central highlights Curtas as a “hidden gem” and praises its high-quality programming and unique atmosphere, recognizing it as a must-see for fantasy fans worldwide.
EFFE LABEL
Curtas’ commitment to artistic excellence and its international focus have been recognized with the EFFE Label (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe), the European Union’s quality seal for leading arts festivals.
Awarded by the European Festivals Association (EFA) with the support of the European Commission, this label distinguishes festivals that demonstrate a strong commitment to the arts, community engagement, and international openness, placing Curtas within a select community of top-tier cultural events in Europe.
LUMIÈRE CINEMA MEDAL
On September 15, 2013, coinciding with the closing ceremony of its 41st edition, the festival was honored with the Lumière Cinema Medal. This award, granted by the Lumière Foundation, recognizes more than four decades of uninterrupted dedication to cinematographic culture. This distinction endorses the festival’s historical commitment to bringing film to the public and its fundamental role in preserving and promoting audiovisual works, placing Curtas among a select group of institutions recognized for their cultural excellence.
FANTASPORTO SPECIAL AWARD
The international prominence of Curtas Festival do Imaxinario reached a milestone in March 2026 by receiving the Special Award at the 46th edition of Fantasporto. This prestigious accolade recognizes the history of the Vilagarcía event and its role in the promotion of fantastic cinema. The award highlighted the efforts to champion Galician talent and solidified a strategic alliance between both festivals.
FEDERATIONS OF FESTIVALS
MÉLIÈS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS FEDERATION (MIFF)
As a Competitive Member of the Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF), Curtas is honored to award the prestigious Méliès d’Argent to the best European fantasy short film in its Official Selection.
MIFF is the world’s leading network of genre film festivals, with a presence in 21 countries and a combined audience of over 800,000. Membership in this federation allows winners at Curtas to automatically compete for the Méliès d’Or, presented annually at the Sitges Film Festival, which recognizes the best of European fantasy cinema.
TAC: TERROR ARREU DE CATALUNYA
Curtas maintains close ties with the national film industry through its affiliation, as an Amic Adherit (Affiliated Friend), with TAC (Terror Arreu de Catalunya), the federation that brings together Catalan horror and fantasy film festivals, founded in 2010 to elevate the horror genre by promoting its member festivals.
This alliance strengthens cultural exchange and the promotion of genre cinema beyond our borders, connecting the filmmakers and productions that come to Vilagarcía with the Catalan circuit, one of the most dynamic in Europe.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS
COORDINADORA DEL CORTOMETRAJE ESPAÑOL
Curtas aligns itself with the defense and promotion of the short film format through its membership in the Spanish Short Film Coordinator (Coordinadora del Cortometraje Español).
This organization is the only national association that brings together all stakeholders in the sector (directors, producers, distributors, and festivals) with the aim of representing and strengthening the short film industry before public and private institutions. Being part of the Coordinator allows Curtas to actively contribute to key initiatives such as the Spanish Short Film Archive and the celebration of Short Film Day, reaffirming our commitment to short films not only as a breeding ground for talent but also as a cinematic expression with its own distinct identity.
PANTALLA: FEDERACIÓN ESTATAL DE FESTIVALES DE CINE
As part of Proxecta, Curtas is joining Pantalla, the Spanish Federation of Film Festival and Audiovisual Content Coordinators.
This national organization unites more than 185 festivals across Spain, working to promote visibility, equality, and best practices in the sector. Our participation in Pantalla ensures that the voice of Curtas and of Galician fantasy cinema is heard in shaping cultural policies at the national level.
PROXECTA: COORDINADORA GALEGA DE FESTIVAIS DE CINEMA
Curtas is an active member of Proxecta, the coordinating body that unites and defends the interests of film festivals in Galicia.
Through this platform, we contribute to the professionalization of the sector, advocating for the role of festivals as economic and cultural drivers. The network collectively represents tens of thousands of viewers and is a key interlocutor with institutions for the development of sustainable audiovisual policies in our region.
RÍAS BAIXAS FILM FEST
Curtas is a key component of the Rías Baixas Film Fest, the quality brand promoted by the Pontevedra Provincial Council that unites the province’s main film festivals.
As Galicia’s oldest film festival (founded in 1973), Curtas contributes its experience and history to this cultural circuit, which has made the Rías Baixas region a benchmark for audiovisual production. Together with sister festivals such as the Cans Film Festival, Play-Doc, FICBUEU, and Novos Cinemas, we work to attract visitors, decentralize culture, and offer a cutting-edge film program.