Sant Jordi is always a great opportunity to enjoy culture in Barcelona, and although tradition means books and roses take centre stage, the city offers so much more on and around 23 April: the Barcelona Sant Jordi International Film Festival is on from 15 to 23 April.

This is the fifth year running that the festival popularly known as BCN Film fest will be offering more than fifty films on all sorts of topics, with six main sections: Official, Cinema amb Gràcia (comedy), Zona Oberta, Art en Pantalla (art documentaries), Imprescindibles (auteur film classics) and Japan by Cine Asia (this year’s guest country).

Directed by Conxita Casanovas, this new edition seeks to regain the habit of going to the cinema. To this end, Cinemes Verdi are preparing to crown themselves as the trusted venue. The organisers are opting for an entirely on-site format, with all the necessary social and health measures in place for screenings.

The name’s Chaplin…

This year’s Film Fest pays homage to Charlie Chaplin, a hundred years on from his first full-length film, The Kid. The official poster shows the protagonist of the film, little Jackie Coogan, in a cinema. The youngster is watching the screen in fascination and conveying a message in favour of film, which is what this festival is all about.

At the same time, the festival devotes its Imprescindibles section to Chaplin with a broad retrospective selection of his works, including seven short films. The pieces being shown include: A Woman of Paris, The Gold Rush, City Lights, A Dog’s Life, Sunnyside, A Day’s Pleasure, The Idle Class and The Pilgrim. Various community centres will also be offering these screenings.

Spirit of Sant Jordi

The name of the festival is no coincidence. Every year the initiative is true to one of Catalonia’s most magical traditions, offering works based around film, literature and history. Besides the official section, the event marks Sant Jordi by showing literary adaptations, biopics of important personalities and major events in history. This year’s festival therefore includes works such as Mamá María, Sombra, The Good Traitor and Yalda, A Night for Forgiveness.

Besides its cycle of films, the festival features a varied programme of talks and discussions. These alternative activities are free and will be published as from March. Keep an eye on the BCN FEST website and don’t miss the latest on the festival programme!