Last October, a group of service users and staff from the Relleu Residential Home for people with functional diversity, owned by the Health and Community Foundation (FSC) in Relleu, Alicante, travelled to Sitges, in the province of Barcelona. The aim of the trip was to attend the 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, where their short film “Fin de trayecto” (End of the Line) was screened. Taking part once again has been a source of enormous satisfaction and an important recognition of the work carried out in the centre’s audiovisual arts workshop, as well as an opportunity to enjoy a top-level film event, thanks to the support of FSC.
Last year, the short film “Fin de trayecto” won in the “Posa’t en la nostra pell” (“Put yourself in our shoes”) section of the Inclús Festival in Barcelona. The award gave the centre the opportunity to screen its short film at the Sitges Festival, making this its second consecutive appearance at the prestigious event. The joy on learning that they would be returning to Sitges was immense, as it represents a very special recognition.
This time, the trip was made by Salva and Manu, residents of the home, together with the educators Reyes and Rubén. For Salva and Manu it was the first time they had attended a film festival, which made it a very rewarding experience.
The group travelled by train to Tarragona and from there took a taxi to Sitges. After settling into their apartment, they strolled around the old town. They also went to the Tramuntana cinema to collect their accreditations and invitations, and to see for themselves the venue where the short film would be screened the following day.
Later, just like last year, they joined the “Zombie Walk”, a mass parade through the streets of Sitges in which people dress up as the living dead and monsters. After getting their make-up and costumes on for the occasion, Salva took part dressed as a priest and Manu as Frankenstein, both in zombie versions. Despite some initial shyness, as the streets were packed with people, it turned out to be great fun for everyone.
Sunday was the main day of the trip. They got up early and, during the morning, enjoyed several street performances programmed as side events of the festival. They also took the opportunity to walk along the beach and browse the festival stalls. They then met Toni Gelida, Manager of the organisation’s Dependency Care and Children and Adolescents Care Area, with whom they had lunch. Afterwards, they headed to the Tramuntana cinema to finally attend the screening of their short film.
Before the screening, the representatives of the residential home introduced themselves to an almost full house of nearly 500 people, as it was followed by the documentary “¿Qué es el cine?” (What Is Cinema?), which attracted considerable interest among the audience.
Despite the usual nerves at such moments, the team gave a great presentation. As they went on stage, the shared excitement and the rush to climb the stairs led to the odd minor stumble. And although the members of the group already have experience of speaking in public, they admitted that on a stage of this calibre your voice always trembles a little and your pulse races until the very last words.
The short film was very warmly received by the audience, who greatly enjoyed the screening and responded with laughter and signs of complicity as the scenes unfolded on screen. For the team, it was very moving to receive the applause of the audience and to feel such recognition of their work; a satisfaction that is hard to put into words, they say.
After the screening, they were interviewed by Juanmi, a journalist from the Arep association for mental health. During the meeting, he showed them the press areas at the Hotel Meliá and shared many anecdotes about the festival with them. At the hotel they came across several well-known faces from the film world, and captured the moment in a number of photographs. As they already knew each other, the interview was very enjoyable and entertaining, and they also took the opportunity to suggest a possible future collaboration between the two centres. The day ended with a pleasant walk and dinner on the seafront, rounding off a day full of experiences and good times.
On Monday they had to get up early, as the return train left Barcelona first thing in the morning. At midday the group arrived back at the Relleu residential home, where Salva and Manu were able to rest after a very exciting and intense weekend. When they got back to the centre, Salva was beaming with happiness. For Manu, the experience was also unforgettable and very special; he was thrilled to share everything they had experienced.
The Relleu Residential Home for people with functional diversity, in Alicante, would like to highlight and especially thank the Health and Community Foundation, which has made it possible for them to travel to Sitges for the second year running. They hope to have the chance to return next year, as that would mean they have once again won an award at the Inclús Festival in Barcelona. They are aware that it will not be easy, but they are facing this challenge with great enthusiasm.
As they have said on other occasions, having their short films selected and being able to take part in different film festivals related to functional diversity, and even reach a festival as important as Sitges, is a great recognition of the work they do in the audiovisual arts workshop. They also believe that cinema is a fundamental tool for giving visibility to people with functional diversity, showing their artistic and creative abilities and highlighting what they are capable of.
The centre would also like to express its sincere thanks to the Inclús Festival in Barcelona and everyone involved in organising it, as the award they received last year gave them the opportunity to take part in a festival like Sitges. It has undoubtedly been a very enriching experience that encourages them to keep working.
Finally, they would like to share that they have already submitted two new short films to the Inclús Festival in Barcelona, with which they will take part in this year’s edition. Both films will premiere at this year’s open day, a very special occasion on which they will be able to share with everyone who attends the result of the effort, creativity and enthusiasm they put into each of their audiovisual projects.
