Film and TV Festivals and Events on the Island of La Palma
The island of La Palma boasts a well-established audiovisual program that brings together festivals, exhibitions, professional gatherings, and specialized events in various disciplines of the audiovisual sector. From independent film and short films to new forms of storytelling, animation, video games, and popular culture, these events help invigorate the island’s audiovisual ecosystem and position La Palma as a hub for creation, training, and networking for professionals and the public at the regional, national, and/or international levels.
Audiovisual festivals
Festivalito La Palma
The Festivalito La Palma is one of Spain’s most unique audiovisual events. Since 2002, it has brought together filmmakers, professionals, and enthusiasts every year for La Palma Rueda, a film creation lab where short films are written, shot, and premiered during the festival itself, giving rise to what is known as “Cine Exprés.” In addition to its competitive section, the Festivalito organizes educational activities, professional meetings, screenings, and networking opportunities that have made La Palma a national leader in independent audiovisual creation.
Tiempo Sur Audiovisual Festival
The Tiempo Sur Audiovisual Festival was born out of a regional collaboration among the Northwest District of the island of La Palma, specifically the municipalities of Tijarafe, Garafía, and Puntagorda. It has established itself as a platform dedicated to the dissemination and exhibition of audiovisual works that address social, cultural, and environmental realities from diverse perspectives linked to the region. Its program combines screenings, discussions, and activities aimed at fostering dialogue among creators, the public, and the region.
CortoNaos Film Festival La Palma
The CortoNaos Film Festival La Palma is an event dedicated to national and international short films that promotes the screening of new cinematic perspectives and fosters connections between filmmakers and audiences. The festival organizes various side events focused on education, outreach, and the promotion of emerging talent.
John Lee International Short Film Festival — Villa de Mazo
The John Lee International Short Film Festival is a film event dedicated to the short film format, held every two years. Held in the municipality of Villa de Mazo, it brings together national and international productions and organizes activities aimed at making film more accessible to the general public, with a special focus on educating and engaging new audiences, in addition to its “express filming” call for entries linked to the municipality.
Other audiovisual events
Cine y Territorio
Cine y Territorio is a space for gathering, reflection, and participation that explores the relationship between landscape, identity, and audiovisual creation on the island of La Palma. The initiative brings together professionals from the audiovisual sector, creators, and the general public to share experiences, foster dialogue, and reflect on the role of the territory as a narrative element and a driving force behind new forms of creation. Its program combines panel discussions, screenings, participatory activities, and audiovisual experiences linked to the rural environment, promoting a unique perspective on audiovisual works developed from and for the territory.
3rd Accelerator with Werner Herzog · La Selva Coop
In 2024, the island of La Palma hosted the third edition of the Herzog Accelerator, a program designed to support and promote audiovisual projects, organized by La Selva Coop. The initiative brought together professionals and emerging projects in a collaborative work environment, combining training, specialized mentoring, and networking activities aimed at developing new audiovisual projects.
La Palma Summer-Con
An event dedicated to pop culture, comics, manga, anime, video games, and digital creativity that brings together fans, creators, artists, and expert guests from various fields of visual culture and entertainment on the island each year. Its program combines educational activities, meet-and-greets with authors, exhibitions, contests, cosplay, workshops, and spaces dedicated to interactive entertainment, making it a gathering place for new generations and for the creative industries linked to audiovisual media, illustration, and digital content. Through an open and multidisciplinary approach, the event helps expand La Palma’s cultural offerings and foster interest in new forms of contemporary creation and expression.
ANIMETRAJE · La Palma Anime Film Festival
A festival dedicated to Japanese animated films and the promotion of anime culture on the island of La Palma. Considered one of the few events in Spain specializing in this genre and the only one of its kind in the Canary Islands, the festival features screenings of anime feature films, premieres, educational activities, and events aimed at both fans and new audiences. Its program is complemented by manga drawing contests, exhibitions, cosplay, video games, conferences, and other activities related to Japanese culture and animation, helping to introduce new forms of audiovisual expression to the public.
A space to create, showcase, and connect
The combination of international film shoots, specialized festivals, audiovisual training, and professional events makes La Palma a vibrant audiovisual hub year-round.
At the La Palma Film Commission, we support initiatives that contribute to the growth of the audiovisual sector and help promote the island as a premier destination for film and audiovisual production.