Some years, you can feel that something real is happening. And this year, honestly, that’s exactly how we feel about the cinema being made in the Balearic Islands.
At AMFF 2026, we’ve unveiled a first look at this year’s programme, confirming something we’ve been witnessing up close for quite some time now: more films, more singular voices, greater international presence and a shared feeling that Balearic cinema is going through one of its most exciting and inspiring moments.
The presentation took place at Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá in Palma, where festival director Jaume Ripoll revealed some of the key highlights of this 16th edition, taking place from July 24 to August 2 in Mallorca, and online on Filmin until August 24.
“Forastera”, by Lucía Aleñar, will open the festival
There’s something deeply moving about seeing a film shot here travel across international festivals and then come back home to open Atlàntida.
That’s exactly what will happen this year with Forastera, Lucía Aleñar’s debut feature. Shot in Mallorca and shaped by themes of identity, ghosts and grief, the film arrives at the festival after winning the FIPRESCI Prize in Toronto.
The opening night will take place on July 26 at La Misericòrdia, with the presence of the director and stars Lluís Homar and Zoe Stein. A beautiful way to begin an edition that looks closely at cinema made here, from here, and with a strong sense of identity.
Talent Balear: films that speak from the islands
This year’s official Talent Balear section will bring together eight feature films, twenty short films and one very clear idea: Balearic cinema feels more alive, freer and more diverse than ever.
There’s La carn, by Joan Porcel, arriving straight from the Málaga Film Festival with two Silver Biznagas under its belt. An uncomfortable, sensual and emotionally contemporary film.
There’s also En l’eixam, the new work by Goya-winning director Óscar Bernàcer, a psychological thriller about seemingly perfect communities where, obviously, nothing ends up being quite so perfect.
And several filmmakers deeply connected to Atlàntida’s history are returning to the festival.
Miguel Eek will present Amílcar, a documentary filmed over many years around the figure of Amílcar Cabral. Marga Melià arrives with Soportant el paradís, a reflection on contemporary Mallorca and its contradictions. And Álex Dioscórides will present Maria Solivellas, entering the world of the legendary Ca Na Toneta restaurant to talk about food, territory and memory through one of the island’s most important chefs.
Balearic short films are having an exceptional moment
The feeling that something important is happening is especially visible in the short film scene.
This year we will have nineteen titles in competition ranging from intimate documentary, experimental cinema, horror, and essay film to more emotional fiction, as well as that strange and uncomfortable humor that is increasingly appearing in the new Balearic cinema.
The selected films are:
Los días azules, by Javier García Lerín
Instrucciones para cocinar un pollo bajo tierra, by Olivia Delcán y Nacho Sánchez
Gamberra, by Marine Auclair March
L’Inocència, by Miki Durán
Mannequin, by Juan Martínez Avellaneda
La verdadera mentira, by Kilian IRZ Obermayr
L’extinció dels mopis, by Pau Gelabert
La Barraca, by Júlia Castaño
Check Out, by Alba Bestard
El último huésped, by Nazim Galoul Kanouni
Utopus, by Jordi Nadal
Correspondencias afásicas, by Sergi Nicolau
Santa Eulalia, by Ariadna Fortuny Cardona
Asf1xia, by Álvaro Benítez
Nuredduna, de Marta Jaume Sastre y Gisela Obradó
El enamorado de la luna, by Laura Casasnovas
Yo sí te creo, by Lourdes Segura
A Dios le pido by Ester Moyá
Pulsiones, by Candela Benedetta
We’re also celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Yo”
Some films continue growing over time. Yo, by Rafa Cortés, is one of them.
Two decades after its release, we will bring the film back for a special screening at Sala Rívoli alongside Rafa Cortés and Álex Brendemühl, where audiences will also be able to see its newly restored version for the very first time.
A jury with its own perspective
This year’s Talent Balear jury will be formed by Biel Mesquida, Claire O’Keefe and Llum Barrera.
Three very different profiles connected by a shared sensitivity towards contemporary creation and films with a strong personality.
Talents Lab keeps growing
Mallorca Talents Lab will once again become one of the festival’s key spaces for supporting emerging voices and helping projects continue to grow.
Its ninth edition will gather eleven feature film projects in development, taking part in mentoring sessions, workshops and meetings with producers, distributors, sales agents and international programmers.
This year’s selected projects are:
La Fami, by Dembo Diaby Drame
El día que me muera, by Mario Monzó
Alois, by Fernando Nagore
Jarabo Spanish Psycho by Mariang Maturana
Perro Paria, by Carla Linares
La forma animal, by Isa Luengo and Sofia Esteve
La jaula, by Juan Manuel Montilla ‘El Langui’
Digital Dolls, by Julia Ponce Díaz
Fuego en la boca, by Alois Sandner Díaz
Cupido y otros arqueros, by Érik Rodríguez Fernández
Via Cintura, by Joan Bover
Mentorships will be led by some of the most exciting producers working in recent Spanish cinema, including Marisa Fernández Armenteros, Ariadna Dot, Sandra Tapia, Manuel Monzón and Nadine Rothschild.
A more accessible festival
This year, we also want the festival to feel easier and more accessible for everyone.
That’s why we’ll open our Casa Planas offices one day a week to help elderly people or audiences with digital difficulties manage their online ticket reservations.
The support sessions will take place on June 30 and July 7, 14 and 21.
Hotel Victoria, the after parties and the Atlàntida summer
Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá will once again become one of the festival’s main hubs. Alongside serving as the official festival headquarters, it will host two surprise screenings on July 24 and 25.
And then, of course, there are the nights.
Atlàntida Club and AMFF x Mutante will once again close each festival day together with Club Mutante, blending cinema, music and some of the best nights of the Mallorcan summer.
Because in the end, AMFF has always been about that. Discovering new voices, coming together around films and celebrating everything happening in Balearic cinema right now.