The sixth edition of the Saraqusta Film Festival opens today in Zaragoza with an inauguration that combines artistic recognition and a demand for the preservation of cinematic heritage. The event, which has already established itself as one of the most relevant specialized gatherings in the European historical cinema landscape, kicks off this evening at 7:00 PM at the Fundación Ibercaja Patio de la Infanta.
The central focus of the event will be the presentation of the Saraqusta 2026 award to actress Kimberley Tell, a performer who has successfully made her way in contemporary Spanish audiovisual productions, especially in historical narratives. Her most recent work in the series Ena —broadcast on La 1 de RTVE— where she portrays Queen Victoria Eugenia, has been pivotal in solidifying her profile within this genre, which demands both interpretative rigor and historical sensitivity.
Beyond individual recognition, the inauguration underscores a principle that underpins the festival itself: cinema as a tool for memory. It is no coincidence that the evening will open with a screening of the documentary Zaragoza, pioneer of cinema (2026), directed by Isabel Soria and Vicky Calavia. The work revisits a foundational milestone: the 125th anniversary of the filming of Salida de misa de 12 de El Pilar de Zaragoza, considered the first preserved film in Spain, made by pioneer Eduardo Jimeno.
This gesture of looking to the origins is not merely commemorative but programmatic: Saraqusta advocates for historical cinema not just as recreation, but as a dialogue between past and present.
The ceremony will feature the institutional presence of Sara Fernández, Councilor for Culture, Education, and Tourism of the Zaragoza City Council, and the festival director, José Ángel Delgado, alongside representatives from the Aragonese cultural scene. The event will be hosted by actor and playwright Alfonso Desentre, a familiar figure in the contemporary theater scene.
With this inauguration, Zaragoza reestablishes itself on the international map of thematic festivals, betting on a specialization that, far from limiting, expands the narrative scope of cinema. At a time when the industry is looking with increasing interest to the past —whether through fiction or documentary—, Saraqusta reaffirms its role as a space for reflection, exhibition, and recognition.
