La Laguna’s Northeast Film Festival Highlights Community and Creative Growth

The Canary Islands have become a hub for rapid-filmmaking festivals, with the town of La Laguna proving to be the perfect setting for audiovisual experimentation. The third annual Northeast Film Festival recently wrapped up, challenging participating teams to write, shoot, and edit 41 short films in just seven days—a feat that requires immense technical skill and quick thinking.

Held from July 25 to August 1, the festival turned the neighborhoods of Tejina, Valle de Guerra, Bajamar, and Punta del Hidalgo into bustling film sets. These events are vital for bringing culture outside of major city centers and involving local residents in the filmmaking process. A highlight of this community spirit was the screening of Vehículo oficial, a collaborative project between filmmakers Carlos Pedrós and Jairo Ramos and the Tejina Atalaya Senior Citizens Association.

The jury—made up of Laura Álvarez, Silvia Criado, and Enzo Álvarez—awarded the top prize to Bienvenida, directed by Anatael Pérez. Meanwhile, the audience at Tejina’s Plaza de El Pico chose Madre, by Elena Bellsabat, as their favorite, underscoring the festival’s strong connection with local viewers. Several other participants also received awards for their technical and creative achievements.

Beyond the competition, the festival focused on professional development by hosting a 20-hour acting workshop led by actor Fernando Cayo, helping to strengthen the local film industry. The closing ceremony at the Teatro Unión Tejina, hosted by comedians Víctor Hubara and Nacho Peña, also aimed to boost the local economy. Through a partnership with El Típico de Tenerife and Jurona Cultural, the festival encouraged attendees to support neighborhood businesses, successfully linking the event’s creative energy to the area's economic growth.