II Memorables Film Festival

II Memorables Film Festival
  • The CIEN Foundation, Alzheimer Center - Queen Sofía Foundation, announces the 2nd edition of the Memorables Film Festival, a short film competition aimed at promoting the creation of audiovisual content dedicated to Alzheimer's disease.
  • The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2020.

The CIEN Foundation - Center for Research on Neurological Diseases presents the 2nd edition of the Memorables Film Festival, a film festival dedicated to highlighting the human aspect of Alzheimer's disease, as well as encouraging the creation and dissemination of short films centered on this condition. Given the challenging health situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly impacted elderly individuals, this edition will place special emphasis on works that address the pandemic’s effects on people with Alzheimer's.

With the support of the Alzheimer Center - Queen Sofía Foundation, the CIEN Foundation organizes this project to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease through the human factor and the emotional impact of the condition, which not only affects patients but also disrupts the daily lives of their families and caregivers. Mª Ángeles Pérez, CIEN Foundation’s director, states, "These kinds of initiatives are essential to help society understand how Alzheimer's affects those who live with it, suffer from it, or witness its effects, and most importantly, the emotional toll the disease can take."

In the Official Section, the winning films will be selected by a rigorous jury composed of experts in Alzheimer's research as well as distinguished professionals from the Spanish film industry. The entries must be fiction and/or documentary short films focusing on Alzheimer's in any of its dimensions, with a maximum duration of ten minutes. Finalists in the Official Section will compete for first, second, and third prizes, with cash awards ranging from €750 to €2,000. Additionally, there will be a special category in which the audience will vote for their favorite short film, awarding a prize valued at €750. The awards will be presented during the festival’s gala in November.

Beyond the short film competition, the gala will feature various activities and experiences related to the festival’s theme, including talks, panel discussions, exhibitions, and sessions with experts, as well as individuals who have personally or indirectly experienced Alzheimer's disease.

Festival registration is free, and the submission period will remain open until October 15. Interested participants can review the Memorables Film Festival guidelines and submit their entries through the CIEN Foundation’s website.

The social impact of Alzheimer's: A key theme in the 1st edition of the Memorables Film Festival

The 1st edition of the Memorables Film Festival featured 14 short films, covering topics ranging from the family drama of the disease to the daily lives of healthcare professionals. The event also included contributions from audiovisual experts, such as directors Alfonso Albacete and David Ulloa, as well as professionals from the social and research sectors, including Cristina Maragall, spokesperson for the Pasqual Maragall Foundation.

Imagínate, directed by Cindy Fuentes Marín, won the Official Section and was awarded the Golden Neuron, a prize symbolizing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on neural tissue. Mi estrella, by Sergio Barba Soler, and Capitán Kinesis, by Francisco Andrés Jiménez Céspedes, received the Silver and Bronze Neurons, respectively. Additionally, the audience recognized the quality and message of the short film Mi nombre es Alba, directed by Mar Estefanía Duarte.