On Tuesday 10 March the Documentary Section began with the screening of Cecilia Bartolomé: tan lluny, tan a prop, the new documentary by director Giovanna Ribes about Cecilia Bartolomé, a pioneering Spanish film director, screenwriter, and producer from Alicante.

Considered one of the most groundbreaking female filmmakers of her time, Cecilia Bartolomé was a pioneer in addressing socially and politically taboo subjects in her work, such as abortion, divorce, Spanish colonialism, and the Spanish political transition. Her 1978 film Vámonos, Bárbara is considered the first feminist film made in Spain. It earned her censorship at the time and later numerous accolades.

In the film, Giovana Ribes portrays this Cecilia, now in her eighties but with the free spirit that has always characterised her. In a journey through that fascinating life, work, and struggle, Giovana attempts to shed light on a little-known aspect of the life of a courageous woman.

When asked about Cecilia Bartolomé's reaction upon seeing clips of her own life, Giovana Ribes told the audience at the MVA Cultural Centre: "She said to me 'Wow! Is that me? You've immortalised me.' She was happy, and that was the best part for me."

The second screening of the day in the Special Sessions took place in the Christine Ruiz-Picasso Auditorium with Mañana seré feliz -Una película conversación con Manuel Vicent (Tomorrow I’ll be happy - A film conversation with Manual Vicent), directed by Luis Alegre and David Trueba. In addition to the directors, the presentation was attended by the protagonist, author Manuel Vicent , who was celebrating his 90th birthday, and the producers Arturo Valls and Félix Tusell.

Mañana seré feliz aims to capture the essence of writer Manuel Vicent, one of the most important figures of our time: his oral magic, his charm, the grace of his conversation, and his unique way of crafting his self-portrait and recounting life.

"Today Manuel Vicent, a great star of our lives, turns 90. Being Manuel's friend allows you to enjoy the joy and magic touch of his conversations. Mañana seré feliz is our way of sharing this joy. We tried to capture Manuel in an intimate moment, without any affectation. Our documentary is meant to be a birthday gift and, above all, an act of love," Luis Alegre explained.

David Trueba also wanted to share some behind-the-scenes details of the filming: “Luis (Alegre) and I were raised with Christian values ​​of sharing. And when you've been lucky enough to meet someone like Manuel Vicent, you have to share this experience with others.  We made this film thinking of those who aren't fortunate enough to enjoy what we see.”

Considered by many of his readers to be a free spirit, explosive, unpredictable, and very funny, Manuel Vicent joked, “Everyone sitting here has proven talent and does things well. When Luis and David invited me to participate, I thought, ‘It won't be the first time, and of all times, with me, that the opposite happens and it goes wrong.’” Amid laughter and camaraderie, the team from  Mañana seré feliz witnessed the presentation of the Biznaga de Honor to the writer, presented by the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre.

The Echegaray Theatre hosted the presentation of Sidosa, a documentary by directors Lluís Galter and Màrius Sánchez. In it, journalist Jordi Évole accompanies actor Eduardo Casanova during the most personal and momentous revelation of his life: publicly disclosing that he has been HIV-positive since the age of 17. Before sharing his story publicly, Eduardo needs to talk it over with some of the people who have supported him throughout these years: his doctor, his nurse, his friends. This cathartic journey is what we see in Sidosa.

Present at the screening at the Festival de Málaga, Eduardo Casanova and Jordi Évole shared their experiences during filming: "I managed to change many things about Jordi, but not his love of football or his heterosexuality. I find it very difficult to act and be in front of a camera, especially in a story like this. The credit goes to the film's two directors. The topic (of HIV) is being discussed again, people need that,” said Eduardo.

Jordi Évole: “Edu and I didn't know each other; I hadn't seen his films. I told the directors that I wasn't going to prepare much, that I was going to go to the shoots without much preparation. I wasn't involved in the editing at all, zero. When I saw the first cut, I did get involved a little, but not before.”

Co-director Lluís Galter also wanted to share his perspective: “The fact that Edu is also a storyteller has made the process very collaborative. Sitting down and talking to him and explaining what we wanted to do shed light on the matter".

Concluding Tuesday's special sessions, the audience at the Christine Ruiz-Picasso Auditorium attended the presentation of Nueve Auras, the documentary that revives the legacy of Argentine director Fabián Bielinsky and his emblematic works Nueve Reinas y El Aura. Directed by Mariano Frigerio, the film explores how Bielinsky and his films transformed Argentine cinema.

In Nueve Auras, Mariano Frigerio returns to iconic locations from Bielinsky's films to recreate scenes and discover the man behind the artist, through previously unseen archival footage and intimate memories captured in interviews with actors who worked with the director, such as Ricardo Darín, Gastón Pauls, and Leticia Brédice, among others.
Present at the Málaga premiere of Nueve Auras were director Mariano Frigerio, actors Gastón Pauls and Leticia Brédice, and Martín Bielinsky, son of the Argentine filmmaker. They also participated in the posthumous tribute to the director, receiving the Biznaga de Honor from Juan Antonio Vigar, the Festival's director.