Published October 25, 2025 | Category: Events

TL;DR: The Almeria International Film Festival 2025 (FICAL) runs from November 14–23 with a record number of film submissions, tributes to acclaimed filmmakers, and events that reaffirm Almeria’s status as Spain’s capital of cinematic landscapes.

Almeria International Film Festival 2025: FICAL Marks Its 24th Edition with Record Submissions and Global Guests

The Almeria International Film Festival (FICAL) returns this November for its 24th edition, transforming the Andalusian capital into a meeting point for filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals from across the world. From November 14 to 23, 2025, Almeria will once again showcase its deep connection with cinema — a bond that dates back to the golden age of Westerns filmed in its desert landscapes.

Table of Contents

• Festival overview
• Competitions and awards
• Program highlights
• Venues and screenings
• Almeria’s film heritage
• Practical info & sources

Festival overview

Organised by the Diputación de Almeria, FICAL was founded in 2003 under the name “Almeria en Corto.” What started as a regional short film competition has evolved into one of Spain’s most dynamic audiovisual festivals. According to the organisers, the 2025 edition will emphasise the theme of “Cinema as cultural identity and tourism engine”, underlining how Almeria’s landscapes have shaped global film history.

The festival’s official aim, stated by the Diputación, is to “promote the province of Almeria through its historical links with the audiovisual industry.” FICAL has become not only a cultural highlight but also a strategic pillar of Almeria’s off-season tourism economy, drawing international visitors in November each year.

Competitions and awards

FICAL 2025 will once again feature several competitive sections. The flagship contest, “Almeria en Corto”, remains one of Spain’s leading short film competitions. This year, more than 1,400 entries from over 60 countries were submitted — a record figure that highlights the festival’s global reach. According to the official rules published on Movibeta, all entries must have been produced after January 1, 2024 and must not exceed 30 minutes in length.

The festival awards more than €24,000 in prizes, including €7,000 for Best International Short Film and €6,000 for Best Spanish Short Film, along with recognition for Best Director, Screenplay, and Cinematography. These prizes are designed to support new voices in cinema and to encourage filming projects in the province.

In addition to the short film competitions, FICAL 2025 also includes sections for feature films, TV series, and digital content, reflecting how storytelling has evolved across new formats.

Program highlights

The full program, to be unveiled in early November, will include screenings, masterclasses, exhibitions, and open-air events. As in previous years, the opening gala will take place at the Auditorio Maestro Padilla, followed by the traditional red carpet ceremonies and the closing awards night at Teatro Cervantes.

Among the expected guests are Spanish filmmaker Isabel Coixet, who will receive an honorary award, and several emerging directors whose films have been shot in the Almeria region. The festival will also host round-table discussions on the future of the Andalusian film industry, co-productions, and sustainable filmmaking.

For visitors, the open-air screenings along the Paseo de Almeria and Plaza Vieja are among the most popular activities, often featuring restored classics and documentaries about the province’s cinematic past.

Venues and screenings

The festival extends across the city, combining cultural landmarks and modern auditoriums:

• Teatro Cervantes – Closing gala and award ceremony.
• Auditorio Maestro Padilla – Opening night and competition screenings.
• Museo de Almeria – Hosts the exhibition “Almeria on Screen.”
• Casa del Cine – Industry panels and meet-the-filmmaker sessions.

Many of these locations are within walking distance, turning central Almeria into a week-long open set for movie lovers.

Almeria’s film heritage

For decades, Almeria has been known as Europe’s natural film studio. Its desert plains and coastline have hosted over 500 productions, from Lawrence of Arabia (1962) to Sergio Leone’s iconic Westerns and more recent series such as Game of Thrones and Black Mirror. FICAL keeps this legacy alive by honouring both international and local creators who continue to choose the province as a filming destination.

The Almeria Film Office plays a vital role in connecting filmmakers with local resources and permits, while the festival’s “Filming Almeria” section specifically rewards productions that contribute to the province’s cultural and economic development.

Practical info & sources

Dates: November 14–23, 2025
Edition: 24th (XXIV)
Organiser: Diputación de Almeria
Total prize fund: €24,200
Official site: festivaldealmeria.com
Competition rules: Movibeta – FICAL 2025 Rules
Festival profile: Festhome
Organizer institution: Diputación de Almeria
Tourism info: Spain.info

For more updates from across the province, visit our Events category.

Published October 15, 2025 | Category: Latest News

TL;DR: Aemet issues a new alert for Almeria Weather as rain and storms return this week. Showers are expected across most of the province until Saturday, with the heaviest rainfall in Berja, Albox, Vera, and Almeria city.

Aemet warns: Almeria Weather turns unstable again

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued a new warning for Almeria Weather. After a few calm days following DANA Alice, a new cold air mass at high altitude is set to bring rain and thunderstorms back to the province starting Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Saturday, October 18.

According to Aemet, “an anticyclone over the British Isles is sending cold air to Spain, which, when combined with humid easterly winds, will create unstable conditions and storms across the eastern peninsula and the Balearic Islands.” This setup will once again affect large parts of Almeria, with a high probability of rainfall across multiple towns.

Rain forecast across Almeria

Showers are expected this afternoon between 12:00 and 18:00 across nearly the entire province. Aemet’s forecast map shows a rain probability of 95% to 100% for municipalities such as Berja, El Ejido, Almeria city, Laujar de Andarax, Ohanes, Abla, Nacimiento, Gérgal, Velefique, Bacares, Bayarque, Serón, Macael, Albox, Huércal-Overa, Oria, Taberno, Tabernas, Níjar, Gádor, Viator, Enix, Sorbas, Carboneras, Mojácar, Vera, Garrucha, Los Gallardos, and Lubrín.

These midweek showers are only a prelude. Aemet forecasts that Thursday and Friday will remain unstable, though with fewer areas experiencing significant rainfall. Rain will mainly affect inland and northern parts of the province, including Berja, Laujar de Andarax, Ohanes, Abla, Fiñana, Serón, and Bayarque.

Weekend outlook: Almeria Weather to improve by Saturday

According to Aemet, occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected on Thursday and Friday, especially in mountainous areas during the afternoon. On Saturday, October 18, rain is forecast mainly along the Mediterranean coast and inland areas in the morning. The probability of rain will range between 40% and 50%, gradually decreasing later in the day.

Residents are advised to stay updated through Aemet’s official forecast for real-time alerts and local updates on Almeria Weather.

Source: Official data from Aemet (State Meteorological Agency of Spain)

For more updates from across the province, visit our Nature & Environment category.