Americana Film Fest

Americana Film Fest, Barcelona's American indie film Festival, celebrated its first edition on the weekend of the 13th-16th of February, 2014. The Festival stemmed from the strong motivation of a group of friends to bring a selection of the best American independent films of the season to Barcelona. This adventure was made possible by the confidence and financial support of the Movistar Artsy competition and the support of the United States Consulate General in Barcelona. The first edition of Americana Film Fest screened eleven films, distributed in twelve sessions. The Festival had an excellent audience response, and more than 2,400 spectators came out to the Girona Cinemas (our venue in Barcelona), where the sold-out sign was displayed in eight out of the twelve screenings (82% of occupation in total). The Artsy Audience Award went to the acclaimed film Short Term 12, the second feature by Hawaiian director Destin Cretton. This film has also won awards at other prestigious festivals such as the Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) or South by Southwest (SXSW). Furthermore, the program included the following films: Ain't Them Bodies Saints, American Promise, Audrey the Trainwreck, Drinking Buddies, In a World ..., Jack Goes Boating, The Kings of Summer, The Motel Life, Upstream Color, and The Retrieval, which audiences received with excitement. Americana Film Fest also offered a variety of parallel activities. There was a Film Critique Workshop and a Seminar on Independent Film, hosted by film school La Casa del Cine. Americana also hosted an open invitation party at the Convent of Sant Agustí (Barcelona) in collaboration with Ven tu! (a popular underground party circuit). Furthermore, during the Summer, Americana collaborated with the two best open-air film festivals in Barcelona: Sala Montjuïc Festival, where Americana screened Short Term 12 for 1,500 spectators; and Cinema Lliure a la Platja, where Americana screened Safety not guaranteed.