Presentation

Cinema has the power to open windows where there are only walls. It brings us closer to other realities and invites us to rethink our own; it moves us, makes us reflect, and often helps us understand a little better the complexity of the world we live in.

But cinema is, above all, a collective experience. It is the magic of meeting in a dark room, being moved together in the silence, and sharing questions, debates, and new perspectives upon leaving. And this is precisely what the Gollut Festival aims to be: a space for deep exchange between culture, territory, and people. From July 3 to 11, Ribes de Freser will once again become a privileged place from which to open ourselves to the outside world in order to then look inward; a festival deeply rooted in the land, yet attentive to everything happening beyond its mountains.

This edition moves toward the future without losing sight of the identity that defines us. We are debuting a renewed image that brings the Gollut back into the spotlight and places it at the center. At the same time, we are bringing back the official competition section with a selection of high-quality proposals—a firm commitment to discovering emerging talent, supporting new voices, and giving space to unique ways of understanding reality.

With this desire to explore, we are introducing the Youth Prize and the experimental cinema category, initiatives that expand our horizons and reinforce our commitment to the most innovative languages. During these days, you will enjoy films, workshops, discussions, open-air cinema, and activities for the whole family. We are also adding what we have called Film School, a welcoming space to learn how to read and decode audiovisual media.

And it is within this conscious and committed approach that this year’s Career Achievement Award is framed, which we dedicate to Anna Solà and Marta Selva. Pioneering women and indisputable role models in our audiovisual culture, their work at the forefront of transformative projects such as the Drac Màgic cooperative and the Barcelona International Women’s Film Festival has opened crucial paths for visual media education and the visibility of cinema through a feminist lens. Honoring their perseverance is also a way of reclaiming cinema as a tool for social action and transformation.

Thank you to the volunteers, organizations, collectives, and local people who join forces and make this project possible. Let the Gollut begin, and let the conversation continue.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Marina Saura Olivella
Festival Director