The Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI) continues to strengthen its position as a vital platform for the development of new voices in Ibero-American cinema. In its 65th edition, the Work in Progress (WIP) Short Films section presented a selection of four projects currently in development, showcasing works at a decisive stage in their journey and creating space for bold cinematic explorations and innovative storytelling within contemporary filmmaking.
This year's participating projects were evaluated by a distinguished international jury whose expertise and perspective play a crucial role in supporting these films on their path toward completion and circulation:
Following the screening sessions and jury deliberations, the Festhome Award was presented to:
Bingo Night, directed by Maria Vaughan.
This short film, currently at a pivotal stage of its development, will receive support from our platform to strengthen its future strategy within the international festival circuit. Vaughan's work stands out for its distinctive cinematic voice and is already emerging as one of the titles to watch in the coming season.
For more information about the award-winning project, you can visit the official FICCI website.
This award reaffirms Festhome's core mission: breaking down the geographical and industry barriers that independent filmmakers often face. Short films are, by nature, the creative laboratory where the future of cinema is born, yet they are also among the formats that require the most strategic support to stand out in an increasingly competitive global market.
By presenting this incentive within such a prestigious framework as FICCI, we renew our long-standing commitment to Ibero-American cinema. We believe that the final stages of a project should never become an obstacle to its visibility and circulation. Through accessible digital tools and ongoing support in festival submissions management, our goal is to remain the technical and human bridge that connects the stories of our region with screens, programmers, and audiences around the world.
Congratulations to Maria Vaughan and the entire team behind Bingo Night for this well-deserved recognition. See you on the festival circuit!
