ALCINE 53 JURY
Meet the professionals who will decide on the best short films of the year, distribute awards, mentions and trophies and pave their international path.
Daniel Hadenius-Ebner is a culture worker, curator, and project lead with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of film, media, and politics. As co-founder and longtime director of VIENNA SHORTS, he has helped build one of Europe’s leading short film festivals and co-initiated projects such as the festival streaming platform THIS IS SHORT and the film magazine TALKING SHORTS. His work focuses on sustainable cultural development and European collaboration.
Pablo Hernando (Vitoria-Gasteiz, 1986) is a screenwriter, director, and editor. In 2015, his feature film Berserker won the Special Las Nuevas Olas Award at the Seville European Film Festival. In 2016, he co-wrote and co-directed Esa sensación alongside Juan Cavestany and Julián Génisson — a film that premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, was selected for BAFICI, and won the Movistar+ Award at the Málaga Film Festival. In 2020, his short film El ruido solar premiered in the official section of the Sitges Film Festival and earned him the Best Director Award at the Málaga Film Festival. In 2024, he premiered Una ballena at Sitges, with its commercial release in theaters scheduled for March 2025.
Menorcan actress and creator based in Madrid. She co-wrote Isla Bonita (Fernando Colomo, 2015) and premiered her stage work #aboutlastnight (2019) at the Corral de Comedias in Alcalá de Henares, where she also received the AISGE Award for Best Performance at ALCINE 53. Her first short film, Instructions for Cooking a Chicken Underground, co-directed with Nacho Sánchez, premiered at SEMINCI. She is currently developing her debut feature, The Bastard Daughter, within the Spanish Film Academy’s Rueda program. Her film and TV credits include Los inocentes, Lejos del mar, Warrior Nun, Doctor Portuondo and Vis a vis.
Film communicator through his own social media project, Cinema Excelsior. After completing his studies in English Philology, he decided to pursue his true passion for cinema. Since then, he has built a community of 500,000 film lovers worldwide, co-directed the short film Azul la mancha (2022), and authored the book El cine reparador (2025, Ediciones Duomo).
Malaika Bova is a film curator and festival programmer with extensive experience in the UK and across Europe. She served as Artistic Director of the Raindance Film Festival in London and currently works as a scout and programmer for the First Feature Competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. In addition, she produces From Venice to London — an event organized in collaboration with La Biennale di Venezia, showcasing a selection of films from the Venice Film Festival in the UK. She also curates the Austrian Film Festival in London and a showcase of Italian documentaries in collaboration with Cinecittà at the Bertha DocHouse.
Sevillian illustrator based in Bilbao. Her work focuses on editorial illustration and film poster design. She has collaborated with major international outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and El País.
Alcalá Film Jam
Cajabaja is a creative studio offering communication, cultural mediation, and social engagement services. Within Cajabaja, there are projects that foster community networks through artistic and educational experiences, such as the short film La costra pegajosa (The Sticky Crust), shot in and with the people of Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Madrid.
Galician actress, director, screenwriter, and comedian. She has worked with directors such as Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Jaione Camborda, and Juanjo Giménez. As a screenwriter, she is developing two series and a feature film. Together with Natalia Mateo, she founded Las 3 Disciplinas, a creative and training space for directors, screenwriters, and actors in Madrid.
@robystarss is an authentic and charismatic content creator known for his unique style and genuine connection with his community. He combines creativity, humour, and attitude to inspire his followers to express themselves fearlessly and live confidently. His positive energy, talent, and original aesthetic make him a standout figure in the digital world and on social media.
Colectivo de Acción para el Juego y la Educación is a non-profit association that has been working since 1984 in favour of people at risk of social exclusion, especially young people and their families. In 2023 it was recognised with the City of Alcalá Arsenio Lope Huerta Civic Values Award.
For years it has formed a jury made up of children from District II of Alcalá de Henares, who are responsible for viewing and choosing the best short film in the ALCINE Kids section.
With more than 1,300 films received each year, it takes a large and dedicated team to watch them all and identify the potential hidden gems. These precious pieces are then carefully set into the 12 screenings that make up the festival’s competitive programs. The result is a thoughtfully balanced, gender-equal and intergenerational selection shaped by professionals from the worlds of film criticism, programming, and the industry, many of whom are closely connected to the festival itself or to the cultural life of Alcalá de Henares. Here you can discover their names:
Blanca Martínez
Colectivo Alterno
Cristina Aparicio
Daniel de Partearroyo
Diane Malherbe
Gala Cubillo
Irene Castro
Jara Yáñez
Lola Mayo
María Juárez
Mediadistancia
Noah Benalal
Pepe Martín
Roberto Huertas
