The Albacete International Independent Film Festival, Abycine, has announced that actor Antonio Resines will be the first performer to receive the newly created Jose Luis Cuerda Award. The award will be presented at the closing gala of the festival's 28th edition, which will be held from October 20 to 29 in the capital of La Mancha.
The news is significant as it marks the debut of an honor designed to pay tribute to the memory and work of Jose Luis Cuerda, the filmmaker from Albacete whose influence continues to shape Spanish auteur and comedy cinema. With this award, Abycine adds a new symbolic space to its programming, just as the festival prepares for an edition packed with premieres and prominent names from the national audiovisual scene.
An award designed to champion Cuerda’s legacy
The Jose Luis Cuerda Award was created with the purpose of distinguishing a professional or initiative in the Spanish film landscape that connects with the values of the comedy that defined the director. As explained by the festival organization, the criteria for the award include fostering creativity, the historical reclamation of cinema, and, above all, a connection to the creative universe that Cuerda imagined throughout his career.
The choice of Antonio Resines to debut this recognition is no coincidence. The actor maintained a close professional relationship with the filmmaker and was one of the stars of Amanece, que no es poco, a cult film of Spanish humor shot in various locations in the province of Albacete. Resines also participated in other projects linked to Cuerda's filmography, which reinforces the symbolic weight of this first presentation of the award.
An edition with Berto Romero, Paco Roca, and Victoria Luengo
In addition to the tribute to Resines, the 28th edition of Abycine will bring together a wide range of film and culture professionals. Comedian and actor Berto Romero will arrive in Albacete alongside director Javier Ruiz Caldera to present the film 5 minutos más, the film chosen to open the festival on October 22 at the Teatro Circo, in a gala hosted by Albacete comedian Joaquin Reyes.
The festival will also feature the presence of actors such as Greta Fernandez and Antonio Dechent, as well as Jose Luis Rebordinos, director of the San Sebastian Festival, who will receive recognition at the opening gala and will serve on the jury for the WIP projects section of Abycine Lanza.
Joining this list are comic book author Paco Roca, communicator and actress Lorena Berdun, and performer Victoria Luengo, who will receive the Abycine 2026 Young Career Award.
121 productions and six world premieres
The programming for this edition will include 121 productions and a total of 101 public sessions, including six world premieres. The festival will combine feature films, short films, and parallel activities spread across its different sections.
Focus on Abycine Indie
One of the sections with the most weight will be Abycine Indie, the festival's showcase for independent cinema. Among the titles scheduled in this section are Esta soledad, by Javier Giner; Dante, by Hugo Ruiz; La mala madre, by Alicia Albares; Sants, by Mikel Gurrea; and Lejos de los árboles, by Meritxell Colell, among other works.
Documentary and regional talent
In the Abycine Presenta section, the documentary La voz quebrada, directed by Manuel Menchon, stands out. The festival will also maintain its commitment to talent from Castilla-La Mancha, with two feature films included in the Hecho en CLM section, in addition to several short films and three projects linked to Abycine Lanza.
Abycine Lanza, the independent audiovisual market
The festival's professional market, Abycine Lanza, will continue its work of connecting creators with professionals in the audiovisual industry. In this edition, its programming will incorporate a series of conversations focused on artificial intelligence and the new forms of audiovisual communication that are transforming the sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Abycine Jose Luis Cuerda Award?
It is a new award created by the Albacete International Independent Film Festival to recognize professionals or initiatives in Spanish cinema linked to the creative values and the universe of the Albacete director Jose Luis Cuerda.
Why is Antonio Resines receiving this award?
Because the actor worked directly with Jose Luis Cuerda and was one of the stars of Amanece, que no es poco, a film shot in Albacete and considered a cult classic of Spanish humor.
When is the 28th edition of Abycine held?
The festival will take place from October 20 to 29 in Albacete, with the opening gala on October 22 at the Teatro Circo.
What other figures will participate in the festival?
Attendees include Berto Romero, Javier Ruiz Caldera, Joaquin Reyes, Greta Fernandez, Antonio Dechent, Jose Luis Rebordinos, Paco Roca, Lorena Berdun, and Victoria Luengo, who will receive the Young Career Award.
How many productions does the Abycine 2026 program include?
The edition will bring together 121 productions and 101 public sessions, with six world premieres included in its programming.
What is Abycine Lanza?
It is the festival's independent audiovisual market, focused on connecting creators with industry professionals, which this year will include debates on artificial intelligence and new forms of audiovisual communication.
