Northeast Film Festival Boosts Culture and Economy in Tenerife Communities
The third annual Northeast Film Festival in Tenerife is fostering regional cultural and economic growth through its community-focused "express cinema" competition, professional acting workshops, and new collaborative partnerships with the Lanzarote International Film Festival.
The Northeast Film Festival in Tenerife is becoming a key driver for both culture and the economy in the island's smaller communities. Now in its third year, the event—produced by Multitrack and directed by Emilio González—is doing more than just showcasing films; it is helping to bring the towns of Tejina, Valle de Guerra, Bajamar, and Punta del Hidalgo closer together.
The festival’s "express cinema" format, which challenges participants to write, film, and edit a short movie in just seven days, has been a major success, resulting in 91 films over the past two years. To raise the bar this year, the organizers have introduced an Acting Laboratory led by Fernando Cayo. Running from July 21 to 23, this workshop aims to help local talent sharpen their skills before the competition begins, further establishing the festival as a hub for audiovisual training in the Canary Islands.
The festival is deeply rooted in the local community, with events designed to get the public involved. On July 31, the Plaza de El Pico in Tejina will host an outdoor screening of the entries. This will be followed by an Awards Gala on August 1 at the Teatro Unión Tejina. Hosted by Víctor Hubara and Nacho Peña, the ceremony will feature performances by the San Sebastián Cultural Association, with all ticket proceeds donated to local Caritas projects.
A jury consisting of Elisa Cano, Enzo Álvarez, and Laura Álvarez will judge the entries, with winners receiving handcrafted statuettes by artist Imobach Molina. The festival is supported by the La Laguna City Council, the Government of the Canary Islands, and corporate partners including Worten Canarias, Ron Guajiro, and Isla Media Productora Audiovisual.
Beyond the competition, the festival is building connections across the islands. Through a partnership with the Lanzarote International Film Festival, winners from last year’s event will have the chance to showcase their work at the 26th edition of the Lanzarote festival this May. This collaboration highlights the importance of working together to help Canarian filmmakers reach new audiences, using the beautiful La Laguna coastline as a backdrop for a growing regional film industry.