Lanzarote International Film Festival 2027 – Arrecife, Spain

What to expect

Lanzarote International Film Festival is an established Spanish film festival based in Arrecife and one of the most important annual audiovisual events in the Canary Islands. The festival combines international and Spanish short films with animation, documentaries, Canarian productions, children’s cinema, feature-film screenings, filmmaker meetings, workshops, exhibitions and professional activities. It has also been a qualifying festival for the Spanish Goya Awards since 2016, giving its official competition particular importance for filmmakers working in Spanish short cinema.

The festival is designed around the idea of cinema as a collective cultural experience. Rather than focusing exclusively on competition screenings, the programme brings filmmakers and audiences together through presentations, conversations, educational activities and cultural events. The organisers describe the festival as a meeting point for creativity, diversity and audiovisual talent from the Canary Islands and beyond.

The official competition is divided into six categories:

• National Fiction Shorts
• International Fiction Shorts
• Animation Shorts
• Documentary Shorts
• Canary Islands Shorts
• Children’s Shorts

The international category is open to productions from countries outside Spain, while the animation, documentary and children’s categories have broader international eligibility. The Canary Islands category has specific regional eligibility requirements designed to recognise filmmaking connected with the islands.

For visitors, the appeal is the combination of short-film discovery and the atmosphere of a local cultural festival. Screenings take place alongside conversations, educational projects, artistic displays and activities that connect cinema with the wider cultural life of Lanzarote.

Festival dates

The 27th Lanzarote International Film Festival will take place from 24–30 May 2027 in Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain. The official festival regulations confirm the dates and establish the event as the festival’s 27th edition.

The official competition is expected to form the core of the programme, with selected films screened publicly and evaluated by separate juries. The festival regulations state that one winning short will be selected in each official category, with the possibility of special mentions from the juries.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venues & festival locations

The festival’s principal venue is the Centro de Innovación Cultural El Almacén in Arrecife. The official festival history identifies El Almacén as its main headquarters and the location where screenings from the official section are presented.

El Almacén is particularly appropriate for the festival because of its cultural history. The building originated from the combination of two 19th-century homes and was later transformed into a multidisciplinary cultural centre following an intervention by Lanzarote artist César Manrique. It subsequently became an important venue for contemporary culture on the island.

The Teatro Víctor Fernández Gopar “El Salinero” is another important festival venue. It traditionally hosts the closing ceremony, presentation of the official competition winners and award presentation.

Additional screenings and festival activities have previously taken place at venues including Multicines Atlántida and Teatro de San Bartolomé. This means visitors should check the official programme for the exact location of individual activities rather than assuming every screening is held at El Almacén.

Full programme

The programme is built around the official short-film competitions but extends considerably beyond them. The festival promotes cinema through screenings, professional meetings, educational activities, exhibitions, workshops and cultural experiences.

The core competition structure includes:

• National Fiction Shorts
• International Fiction Shorts
• Animation Shorts
• Documentary Shorts
• Canary Islands Shorts
• Children’s Shorts

The organisers’ regulations establish maximum running times for submitted works. National, international, animation and Canary Islands fiction shorts can run for up to 25 minutes, documentaries up to 30 minutes and children’s shorts up to 15 minutes, including credits.

The wider programme can include feature films, special screenings, filmmaker presentations, professional meetings, youth cinema, school competitions, short-film challenges and visual-art activities.

The festival also runs initiatives such as the Roberto Pérez Toledo Express Short Film Competition, school short-film competitions and a cinema mural competition, demonstrating that its programme reaches beyond professional film production and includes community participation and youth creativity.

Featured films & premieres

The exact feature-film and short-film selection for the upcoming edition has not yet been published in full. The official competition rules establish the eligibility framework, with selected works to be announced through the festival’s official channels.

The most important discovery opportunity will be the six official short-film sections. The international competition is particularly useful for audiences looking for emerging filmmakers from outside Spain, while the Canary Islands category provides a concentrated look at audiovisual production from the archipelago.

Previous programming has also included feature-film presentations accompanied by conversations with directors and cast members. This format gives audiences an opportunity to hear directly from filmmakers about production, storytelling and the themes behind their work.

The festival’s qualifying status for the Goya Awards adds another reason to follow the official competition. Winners in the relevant Spanish fiction and documentary categories receive a pathway into the Goya preselection process, increasing the professional importance of the festival’s short-film competition.

Directors, actors & guests

The final guest list for the upcoming edition has not yet been announced. However, the festival has a strong tradition of inviting directors, actors, screenwriters, producers and other audiovisual professionals to participate in screenings and conversations.

Previous editions have featured recognised Spanish actors and filmmakers. The festival’s closing programme has included figures such as Miguel Ángel Muñoz, María Esteve, Mina El Hamani, Rubén Cortada, Sergi López, Loreto Mauleón and Michelle Calvó, alongside other professionals from the Spanish and Canarian audiovisual industries.

The festival also encourages filmmakers whose works are screened to participate in discussions and meetings with audiences. This creates a more direct relationship between viewers and creators than a conventional cinema programme.

The professional emphasis is particularly strong around the official competitions, where filmmakers can present their work and engage with juries, critics, programmers and fellow creators.

Screening schedule

The detailed screening timetable has not yet been released. Visitors should therefore use the official festival agenda when the complete programme becomes available.

Based on the established structure of the festival, the schedule is expected to include multiple blocks of short films organised by competition category. Official sections are generally programmed separately so that audiences can follow particular strands such as international fiction, national fiction, animation, documentaries or Canarian cinema.

Special feature-film screenings may also be accompanied by filmmaker conversations or presentations. Previous programmes have used El Almacén for feature screenings and other island venues for special events.

The schedule can also include educational and community activities. The festival’s wider programme has included school competitions, youth cinema, professional conversations, workshops and artistic projects alongside the principal screening programme.

Ticket types & accreditation

Ticket prices for the upcoming edition have not yet been announced. As a reference, official-section screenings in the most recent edition were offered at approximately $2 per session. A previous edition also offered a complete screening pass at approximately $16, based on the published price of €15.

Some festival activities have been free of charge, particularly certain presentations, cultural activities and public events. The exact admission conditions depend on the activity and venue.

The festival also has professional and press access arrangements for eligible industry participants and media representatives. These should be checked directly with the organisers because accreditation categories and procedures can change.

For filmmakers, the official competition is based on film submission rather than ordinary audience ticketing. The official regulations specify the categories, eligibility requirements, technical formats and submission procedures.

Industry & professional access

The Lanzarote International Film Festival has developed a strong professional component around meetings between audiovisual creators, industry representatives and audiences.

Professional meetings have covered issues such as streaming platforms, sustainability in film production, artificial intelligence in audiovisual creation and diversity within the film industry. The festival also places particular emphasis on local Canarian talent and encourages exchanges between established professionals and emerging filmmakers.

For filmmakers, the official competition provides visibility and professional recognition. Winning a qualifying category can be especially valuable because the festival’s Goya-qualifying status provides an important route for selected Spanish short films toward the Spanish Academy’s award process.

The festival’s industry environment is therefore useful for directors, producers, actors, writers, students, critics, programmers and audiovisual professionals interested in networking and discovering new talent.

Red carpet & special events

The closing ceremony at Teatro Víctor Fernández Gopar “El Salinero” is the main formal celebration of the festival. It combines the presentation of the official competition results with the awards ceremony and provides the strongest red-carpet-style atmosphere for filmmakers, guests and invited professionals.

Previous closing ceremonies have included recognised actors, directors, journalists and cultural figures, together with performances and entertainment. The event has also provided an opportunity to celebrate the festival’s development and recognise the winning filmmakers.

Other special events can include feature-film presentations, filmmaker conversations, professional meetings, workshops and community competitions.

The festival’s public-facing activities are important because they transform Arrecife’s cultural spaces into meeting points for filmmakers and audiences rather than limiting the event to formal cinema screenings.

Festival rules

The official competition has clearly defined submission rules. Producers or filmmakers must hold the rights to the submitted works, and films must be delivered in MOV or MP4 format.

Works submitted to the official competition must meet the festival’s eligibility requirements and must not have been presented at previous editions. The rules provide a specific exception for children’s short films concerning the permitted production period.

The festival also has strict subtitle requirements. Films containing Spanish dialogue or text must include English subtitles, while films in English must include Spanish subtitles. Works in other languages must include both Spanish and English subtitles. Failure to meet the subtitle requirement can result in disqualification.

Each official category has its own eligibility requirements, particularly the Canary Islands section. The festival requires participating works to meet at least two of several regional criteria relating to the director, birthplace, filming location, production company or crew.

How to get there

Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote and the island’s main urban centre, making it the easiest base for visitors attending the festival.

Lanzarote Airport is located close to Arrecife and provides the principal international gateway to the island. Visitors arriving by air can continue into the city by taxi, rental car or public transport.

For travellers already staying elsewhere on Lanzarote, Arrecife can be reached by the island’s road network. Rental cars are particularly useful for visitors who want to combine festival activities with sightseeing around the island.

Because festival activities can be spread across different venues, checking the individual venue before each event is recommended.

Public transport & parking

Arrecife has local bus connections serving the city and wider Lanzarote. Visitors staying in the central area can generally reach major cultural venues without needing a private vehicle.

For El Almacén, staying in central Arrecife is especially convenient because the venue is located within the city rather than outside the urban area.

Visitors travelling by car should allow extra time for finding parking in central Arrecife. Street parking can be limited in busy areas, particularly around major cultural events.

For activities at El Salinero or other venues outside the immediate historic centre, a taxi or rental car can be more convenient depending on the visitor’s accommodation.

Accommodation areas

Arrecife is the most convenient accommodation base for festival visitors because the city’s principal cultural venues are located within or close to the urban centre.

Staying around the historic centre provides easy access to El Almacén, restaurants, cafés, shops and the waterfront. It is particularly suitable for visitors who want to walk between accommodation and cultural activities.

Visitors looking for a beach-oriented stay can consider Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise or Playa Blanca, although these locations require additional travel to Arrecife.

For visitors primarily interested in the festival rather than a resort holiday, Arrecife is generally the most practical choice because it reduces transport requirements between screenings and professional activities.

Food & dining

Arrecife offers a broad selection of restaurants, cafés, tapas bars and casual dining options. The central areas around the old town and waterfront are particularly useful for visitors looking for meals between screenings.

Lanzarote’s cuisine provides plenty of opportunities to try Canarian specialities, seafood, local cheeses, papas arrugadas and traditional sauces. Visitors can also find international restaurants throughout Arrecife.

For a busy festival itinerary, choosing restaurants close to the day’s screening venue can save considerable travel time.

Visitors attending several consecutive sessions should also consider eating before arriving at the venue because individual screening blocks may leave limited time between activities.

Accessibility

Accessibility information should be checked directly with the individual venue and festival organisers before attending because arrangements can vary between locations.

El Almacén is a cultural venue in central Arrecife and functions as the principal headquarters for the official section. Other activities may take place in theatres, cinemas and cultural facilities with different accessibility arrangements.

Visitors who require wheelchair access, accessible seating, assistance with entry or other accommodations should contact the festival before travelling.

The festival’s emphasis on reaching different population groups is also reflected in its educational and community programming, including children’s cinema and school projects.

Best screenings to attend

Best for international cinema: The International Fiction Shorts section is the strongest choice for visitors who want to discover filmmakers from outside Spain. It provides a concentrated selection of short-form fiction from different countries.

Best for Spanish filmmaking: The National Fiction Shorts section is particularly important because the festival’s qualifying status gives the competition professional significance within Spain.

Best for local talent: The Canary Islands Shorts section is the best option for discovering directors and production teams connected with the archipelago.

Best for animation fans: The Animation Shorts section provides a focused programme of animated works from Spain and internationally.

Best for documentary cinema: The Documentary Shorts section is ideal for visitors who prefer factual storytelling and social, cultural or human-interest subjects.

Best for families: The Children’s Shorts section is designed specifically for younger audiences and forms part of the festival’s wider commitment to bringing cinema to different generations.

Best for festival atmosphere: The closing gala is the strongest choice for visitors who want to experience the awards, winning films and celebratory side of the festival.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition marked a significant milestone for the festival after more than two decades of development. The event presented a broad official competition and continued its position as a major audiovisual meeting point in the Canary Islands.

The official competition included five principal short-film categories, with awards presented for international, national, Canarian, animation and documentary productions. The festival also continued its programme of feature films, professional meetings and educational activities.

The winning films included Le dérapage by Aurélien Laplace for Best International Short, Insalvable by Javier Marco for Best National Short, Los muchachos by Alejandro Artiles for Best Canarian Short, Carmela by Vicente Mallols for Best Animated Short and Emilia by Rafa Arroyo for Best Documentary Short.

The edition also attracted a very strong international submission field. Organisers reported 2,780 submitted works from more than 100 nationalities, with 63 films ultimately competing in the official selection.

The programme combined screenings with professional encounters, workshops, conversations and cultural initiatives, reinforcing the festival’s identity as more than a conventional film competition.

Official tickets & accreditation

Official ticket information, the programme, filmmaker submission rules and accreditation announcements are published through the Lanzarote International Film Festival’s official website.

Official website: https://www.festivaldecinedelanzarote.com/

The festival’s official submission information confirms that filmmakers can enter the National Fiction, International Fiction, Animation, Documentary, Canary Islands and Children’s Shorts categories.

The festival’s official contact details are:

Phone: +34 679 26 85 55

Email: lanzaroteinternacionalfilmfest@gmail.com

For audience tickets, visitors should use the official festival ticket information when the new programme is released. Previous public sessions have used low-cost admission, with official-section screenings previously offered for approximately $2 per session, while some activities have been free.

For filmmakers, the official 2027 competition offers a $1,500 prize for the winning short in each official category, converted from the €1,500 amount stated in the official regulations.