Ourense International Film Festival 2027 – Spain

What to expect

Ourense International Film Festival, commonly known as OUFF, is one of Galicia’s major international film festivals and one of Spain’s long-running competitive festivals devoted to independent and quality cinema. The festival was created with the aim of bringing international cinema to Ourense while developing a strong platform for Galician audiovisual culture. It has grown into a meeting point for filmmakers, audiences, critics, producers, actors and other professionals from the audiovisual sector.

OUFF places particular emphasis on cinema that crosses borders, challenges conventional storytelling and addresses contemporary social and cultural subjects. Its programme combines international competition with a dedicated Panorama Galicia competition, special screenings, retrospectives, tributes, industry meetings, project development and cultural activities.

The festival’s international identity is particularly visible in its Official International Section, which accepts feature films and short films from filmmakers and production companies around the world. Fiction, documentary and animation can all be represented, giving audiences a varied selection rather than concentrating on one cinematic genre.

Galician cinema remains an equally important part of the festival. Panorama Galicia provides a dedicated competitive platform for films with a Galician connection, including productions made in Galicia, Galician co-productions and films directed by Galician filmmakers.

Beyond cinema screenings, OUFF has developed professional forums, project-development activities, filmmaker conversations, workshops, television and series presentations, exhibitions and music-related events. This makes the festival suitable both for ordinary cinema lovers and for visitors interested in the wider audiovisual industry.

Festival dates

Festival dates: September – October 2027 (Dates TBD)

The 2027 edition has not yet published its final confirmed calendar. The September–October period is therefore presented as the expected festival window rather than a confirmed set of individual dates.

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Venues & festival locations

OUFF uses several important cultural and cinema venues throughout Ourense. Rather than concentrating the entire programme in one building, the festival transforms different parts of the city into spaces for screenings, professional meetings, cultural activities and special events.

The Centro Cultural Marcos Valcárcel is closely associated with the festival and serves as an important administrative, press and cultural hub. The official festival rules identify the centre at Calle Progreso, 30, as the festival headquarters.

Teatro Principal is one of the city’s most important performance and cinema spaces and has hosted major festival screenings, Panorama Galicia presentations, special programmes and festival ceremonies. Previous official programmes have used the theatre for both competition and special events.

Auditorio Municipal de Ourense is particularly important for the festival’s major ceremonies. Opening and closing galas are held there, while other large-scale presentations and cultural events can also use the venue.

Cines Ponte Vella provides a commercial cinema environment for festival screenings, particularly paid competition screenings. It is an important location for visitors who want to see the main international and Galician competition films in conventional cinema conditions.

Other locations used for festival programming can include:

• Cineclube Padre Feijoo
• Liceo de Ourense
• Cultural centres
• Public squares and outdoor spaces
• Professional meeting spaces
• Exhibition venues
• Partner cultural institutions

The final 2027 venue allocation should be checked against the official programme once published because OUFF distributes different sections and activities across several locations.

Full programme

OUFF’s programme combines competitive cinema with a substantial selection of parallel activities. The International Official Section is the principal international competition, while Panorama Galicia provides a dedicated space for Galician cinema.

The main programme can include:

• International Official Section
• Panorama Galicia
• International feature films
• International short films
• Galician feature films
• Galician short films
• Special screenings
• Tribute programmes
• Retrospectives
• Audience events
• Family cinema
• Arabic cinema programmes
• Television and series presentations
• Project-development activities
• Industry forums
• Filmmaker meetings
• Workshops
• Exhibitions
• Music and cultural activities

The festival’s programming has expanded beyond conventional competition in recent editions. Sections such as Xanela focus on audiovisual projects that are still in development, allowing creators to present works in pre-production, production or post-production.

Other programming can connect cinema with television, animation, music, literature and other creative industries. This broader approach is one of the reasons OUFF functions as a cultural festival rather than simply a series of film screenings.

Featured films & premieres

The 2027 film selection has not yet been announced, so individual titles should not be presented as confirmed. However, the festival’s competition rules provide a clear indication of the type of cinema audiences can expect.

The International Official Section accepts feature films longer than 60 minutes and short films under 15 minutes. Fiction, animation and documentary films are eligible, giving the competition a wide artistic scope.

Premiere status is an important part of OUFF’s programming strategy. Recent festival selections have included Galician premieres, Spanish premieres and even world premieres, demonstrating that the festival can provide significant first-exhibition opportunities for selected productions.

The international competition has also attracted filmmakers with strong festival backgrounds. Recent programming has included directors whose films have appeared at major international festivals, giving OUFF audiences access to internationally recognised contemporary cinema alongside emerging voices.

Panorama Galicia provides another important discovery opportunity. Films in this section can include documentaries, fiction features and short films that explore Galician history, identity, society and culture.

For 2027, visitors should check the official programme for confirmed premiere status, languages, subtitles, filmmakers and screening information.

Directors, actors & guests

Meeting filmmakers and audiovisual professionals is an important part of the OUFF experience. Selected directors, producers, actors and creative teams regularly visit the festival to introduce films, participate in conversations and meet audiences.

The festival also gives substantial recognition to established figures in Spanish and international cinema through honorary awards. Its Calpurnia de Honor has been awarded to prominent directors, actors and production companies, reinforcing the festival’s connection with the wider history of Spanish cinema.

Recent professional guests have included major figures from the Spanish festival and film world. The Foro La Región, for example, has been used as a space for conversations about the future of cinema, festival management, cultural policy and the audiovisual industry.

Guests may include:

• Directors
• Actors
• Screenwriters
• Producers
• Cinematographers
• Editors
• Film programmers
• Critics
• Industry executives
• Television professionals
• Animation specialists
• Emerging filmmakers

The final 2027 guest list should be regarded as unconfirmed until OUFF publishes the relevant announcements.

Screening schedule

OUFF operates a substantial multi-venue screening schedule. Competition films can be shown in more than one session, allowing audiences additional opportunities to see popular titles.

The festival has previously increased the number of screenings available for films in the International Official Section to improve audience access. This is particularly useful for visitors who want to see several competition titles without having to choose between simultaneous screenings.

A typical festival itinerary can include:

• International feature-film competition
• International short-film competition
• Panorama Galicia
• Galician short films
• Special screenings
• Retrospectives
• Tribute screenings
• Family cinema
• Arabic cinema
• Made in Ourense programming
• Television and series presentations
• Project-development presentations

Screening locations can differ by section. Cines Ponte Vella and Teatro Principal have been important locations for paid feature-film screenings, while free sections can be presented at Cineclube Padre Feijoo, Centro Cultural Marcos Valcárcel and other cultural venues.

Visitors should always check the official programme for the individual film’s cinema, screening room, language, subtitles and admission requirements.

Ticket types & accreditation

OUFF offers a mixture of paid and free public screenings. The latest published ticket information provides a useful indication of the festival’s pricing model for future visitors, although 2027 prices have not yet been announced.

Paid competition screenings: Previous published admission for International Official Section, Panorama Galicia, Inédito and Colleita screenings was approximately $4.47 per ticket, based on the published €4 price and an exchange rate of €1 = approximately $1.1186.

Free screenings: Official short-film competition sessions, Agarimo, the Arabic cinema programme, Made in OU and some tribute programmes have been offered free of charge, subject to venue capacity.

Festival loyalty offer: The Bono 10+ programme rewards visitors who attend at least ten eligible paid screenings with access to an additional special screening. The exact 2027 conditions should be confirmed by the festival.

Opening and closing galas: These major ceremonies have required invitations rather than ordinary public tickets.

Press accreditation: Accredited journalists receive specific access arrangements and must receive confirmation from the festival before attending reserved screenings.

The previous published paid admission is therefore a reasonable planning estimate, but it should not be treated as confirmed 2027 pricing.

Industry & professional access

OUFF has developed a growing professional programme aimed at filmmakers, producers, television professionals, cultural organisations and emerging audiovisual creators.

Xanela is particularly relevant for projects that have not yet reached their final form. The section is designed for creators working on projects in pre-production, production, post-production or development. Presentations can give creators the opportunity to explain their projects to industry professionals and audiences.

Professional activities can cover:

• Film production
• Project development
• Television
• Series
• Animation
• Financing
• Distribution
• Festival programming
• Cultural management
• New audiovisual formats
• Co-production
• Emerging talent

Foro La Región is another professional and cultural platform where leading figures from the audiovisual sector can discuss the industry’s future and changing challenges.

The professional programme is especially useful for filmmakers who want to understand the Spanish and Galician audiovisual ecosystem. It can also provide networking opportunities with directors, producers, institutions, television representatives and cultural organisations.

Red carpet & special events

OUFF combines film screenings with gala ceremonies, honorary awards, special presentations and cultural activities.

The opening gala traditionally provides a high-profile introduction to the festival and can combine a major film screening with the presentation of an honorary award. Recent editions have recognised prominent actors and other cinema professionals during this ceremony.

The closing gala is another major festival moment. It brings together award winners, filmmakers, guests, professionals and audiences and provides the setting for the presentation of the principal Calpurnia awards.

Special activities can extend well beyond conventional cinema. Previous programming has included exhibitions, music performances, television previews, family activities, cultural talks and industry presentations.

OUFF’s musical programme has also included live performances associated with festival ceremonies and free concerts in public areas, demonstrating how the event can create a wider cultural atmosphere around the film programme.

Festival rules

Filmmakers entering the International Official Section must comply with the official competition regulations. The rules allow feature films and short films in fiction, animation and documentary formats.

Film rights: The person or organisation submitting a film must possess the legal rights necessary to enter it into competition.

Competition format: The International Official Section includes feature films and short films.

Selection: A committee appointed by the festival chooses the films that enter the official competition.

Screening rights: Selected participants grant OUFF permission to publicly screen their works during the festival.

Screening copy: Selected films must provide an appropriate screening copy, with DCP preferred for feature films.

Subtitles: Short films in languages other than Spanish must provide Spanish or Galician subtitles.

Festival withdrawal: Selected works cannot be withdrawn from the official programme once accepted under the applicable rules.

Attendance: The regulations require representatives of the technical or artistic team of selected works to attend the festival.

Jury: Official prizes are awarded by a professional jury drawn from the film, audiovisual, media and cultural sectors.

Awards: The jury can grant special mentions, while its official decisions are final.

The festival also requires winning representatives to attend the closing gala to collect awards. The latest official rules state that unjustified absence can result in loss of the monetary prize and trophy.

How to get there

Ourense is located in Galicia in northwestern Spain and has strong road and rail connections with other Galician cities and major Spanish destinations.

The city is connected by rail to the wider Spanish high-speed network, making train travel a practical option for visitors coming from Madrid and other major cities.

For international visitors, Santiago de Compostela Airport and Vigo Airport are useful gateways to the region, while A Coruña Airport provides another option depending on the traveller’s itinerary. From these airports, visitors can continue to Ourense by train, bus or rental car.

Madrid and other Spanish cities can also be reached by long-distance rail, making Ourense accessible without needing a private vehicle.

Once in the city, many festival locations are relatively close to the historic centre. This makes Ourense particularly convenient for visitors who prefer to walk between screenings, restaurants and cultural attractions.

Public transport & parking

Ourense has an urban bus network connecting the centre with residential districts and important transport hubs. Taxis provide another convenient option, particularly for visitors staying outside the central area or travelling with luggage.

For most festival visitors, walking is one of the easiest ways to move between central venues because several important cultural locations are within the city centre.

Train: Useful for visitors arriving from other Spanish and Galician cities.

Urban buses: Practical for accommodation outside the historic centre.

Taxi: Convenient for late-night journeys or travelling between venues.

Walking: Often the simplest option between central festival locations.

Parking: Visitors arriving by car should use public car parks near their accommodation or venue rather than relying on limited central street parking.

Because OUFF uses multiple locations, visitors should check the precise address for each screening rather than assuming every event takes place at the main festival headquarters.

Accommodation areas

Ourense offers accommodation ranging from central hotels and guesthouses to apartments and properties outside the historic core.

Historic centre: The best option for visitors who want to walk to restaurants, cultural attractions and several festival locations.

Centro: Convenient for public transport, shopping and access to central cinemas.

Near the train station: Useful for visitors arriving by rail or planning day trips to other Galician destinations.

As Burgas: A convenient area for visitors interested in Ourense’s famous thermal-water heritage while remaining close to central attractions.

Ribeira Sacra access area: Suitable for visitors combining the festival with excursions into the surrounding wine and landscape region.

Staying centrally is generally the most convenient choice for a festival visitor because it reduces the need for daily transport between screenings.

Food & dining

Ourense is an excellent destination for visitors who want to combine cinema with Galician food. The city is particularly known for its tapas culture, local produce, wines and thermal-water heritage.

Visitors can sample Galician specialities such as octopus, empanada, local cheeses, seafood, pork preparations and traditional pastries.

The historic centre has numerous restaurants and tapas bars, making it easy to find food between screenings.

Galician seafood: A strong choice for visitors wanting traditional regional cuisine.

Pulpo: One of Galicia’s best-known dishes and widely available in local restaurants.

Empanada: A practical option for a quick meal between cinema sessions.

Tapas: Ideal for festival visitors who want to eat quickly without committing to a long meal.

Galician wine: The wider province is closely associated with important wine-producing areas, making local wine a natural accompaniment to regional food.

Ourense’s food culture is also well suited to evening socialising after screenings, with many central establishments located within walking distance of the main cultural areas.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies according to the individual cinema, theatre and cultural building used by the festival. Visitors with specific mobility or sensory requirements should confirm facilities with the venue before attending.

OUFF’s broad programme has demonstrated an interest in making cinema available to different audiences, including family programming and specialist cultural activities.

Wheelchair users: Confirm step-free access, accessible seating and toilets with the specific venue.

Hearing accessibility: Check whether the selected film provides Spanish subtitles, Galician subtitles or other captioning support.

Language access: International films may have Spanish or Galician subtitles depending on the film and section.

Family access: Family-oriented cinema and cultural activities provide additional options for visitors travelling with children.

Because the festival uses several venues across Ourense, accessibility should be assessed individually rather than assumed to be identical throughout the programme.

Best screenings to attend

The International Official Section is the best starting point for visitors who want to experience the festival’s central competitive programme. It combines international feature films and short films and can include strong premiere activity.

Panorama Galicia is essential for anyone interested in Galician filmmaking. It provides a direct introduction to the region’s directors, producers, actors and social stories.

Best for international cinema: International Official Section.

Best for Galician cinema: Panorama Galicia.

Best for discovering new filmmakers: International short-film competition.

Best for social and cultural stories: Documentary and socially focused selections.

Best for film professionals: Xanela and industry forums.

Best for established cinema figures: Honorary events and filmmaker conversations.

Best for families: Family cinema and educational programming.

Best for classic cinema: Retrospective and tribute programmes.

Visitors with limited time should prioritise the International Official Section and Panorama Galicia. Those staying longer should add a project-development session, special screening or filmmaker discussion to experience the broader identity of OUFF.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition demonstrated the festival’s international reach and its strong commitment to Galician cinema. The International Official Section featured a diverse competition with filmmakers from different countries, while Panorama Galicia provided a dedicated showcase for productions connected with the region.

The international competition’s award winners included Club Kid by Jordan Firstman, which received the Calpurnia for Best International Film. Myrsini Aristidou received the Carlos Velo award for direction for Hold Onto Me, while Jessica Reynolds was recognised for performance in The Wolf, the Fox & the Leopard.

The Special Jury Award went to La Maison des femmes, which also received the International Audience Award. Cristian Mungiu received the screenplay award for Fjord, demonstrating the strong international profile of the competition.

Panorama Galicia was equally important. KIRO, directed by María Yáñez, won the Calpurnia for Best Panorama Galicia Film, while the section also recognised directors, performers and screenwriters.

The festival also presented a substantial short-film competition. International and Galician short films included works from numerous countries and addressed subjects such as migration, violence against women, mental health and historical memory.

Professional activity continued to expand through Xanela and Foro La Región. Xanela provided a platform for projects still in development, while Foro La Región connected the festival with influential figures from the broader film and festival world.

Official tickets & accreditation

The official OUFF website is the primary source for 2027 programme announcements, ticket information, accreditation, competition regulations and professional activities.

Official Ourense International Film Festival website (https://ouffestival.gal/)

The latest published public ticket system provides a useful guide for planning. Paid feature-film competition screenings have previously been priced at approximately $4.47, while several short-film, tribute, Arabic cinema and Made in OU programmes have been free of charge.

The festival’s professional and press accreditation system operates separately from ordinary public ticketing. Accredited press representatives must receive written confirmation before attending reserved screenings, and the accreditation is personal and non-transferable.

The official competition rules should be consulted by filmmakers before submitting a film. The festival currently accepts submissions through recognised online film-submission platforms, with entry to the International Official Section stated as free under the published rules.

For 2027, ticket prices, accreditation procedures, film submission rules and the final programme should be treated as pending official confirmation until the festival publishes its new information.