Marbella International Film Festival 2014 a great Success

Marbella's residents were treated to another great cinematic event this autumn. The 9th International Film Festival in Marbella ended on 5th October 2014 after five glorious days and was hailed a great success. The participants of the "Festival Goes Latino After Party" at the Mala Vida nightclub may still not have recovered from their after-party headache, but for cinema-goers living in Marbella this was a fantastic treat that left them longing for more.

Bigger and better than ever before

Including more films, entertainments and workshops than ever before, Marbella's International Film Festival 2014 delighted participants critics and audiences alike. More than 60 films were screened at the H10 Andalucía Plaza Hotel in Puerto Banus and at the Palacio de Congresos.

Starting with a workshop titled "From Script to Screen: The Road to Production", which was hosted by Brendan  Foley, the film festival set the tone for the kind of informative, yet fun programming they have become so justly famous for.

Workshops and networking events were held at the H10 Hotel in Puerto Banus and included Spanish TV and movie experts as well as producers and filmmakers from abroad, such as Mary Hare, a well-known BBC and Channel 4 producer. Britain did rather well this year. The best feature film and the best documentary were both from the UK: "Almost Married" and "Ice Bear" respectively delighted audiences and critics.

The best short film came from Cyprus this year, "5 Ways 2 Die" is a thought-provoking and imaginative film. The best animated movie, "The Dream of Grandmaster" was a home-grown adventure, while the best shorter short film came from Italy ("A Sea Tail").

More than 100 delegates took part in the workshops, film and networking events, Festival Director Mac Chakaveh said after the festival ended. Speakers came from all over the world, including delegates from Hollywood and London. Subjects for the events were wide-ranging but practical, including themes like how to get funding for example.

The 5-day film festival ended with a glamorous Gala Awards Dinner in good old "Cannes", "Oscar" and "Berlinale" tradition. The black-tie event included a cocktail reception, a five-course dinner and live music as well as the awards ceremony.

Raising the cultural Profile

Marbella has significantly raised its international profile with the type of cultural events the city has staged over the past few years, clearly trying hard to get away from the "The Only Way is Essex" image built up by the successful TV programme of the same name.

Events like the film festival bring some considerable prestige to the city, but also attract people with money, potential investors, who might invest in Spanish film projects, even buy a Marbella holiday home, after having experienced a first taste of what the Costa del Sol can offer during the festival.

The razzmatazz of the film festival may be over, but behind the scenes producers and film makers from across the world will now follow up on the new connections they have made during the 5-day event.

Location, Location, Location

Marbella and the Balearic Islands have long been favoured by film makers as locations for big budget movies. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year both the Costa del Sol and the Balearic archipelago are perfect for film shoots. An abundance of cost-effective accommodation for actors and crew during off-peak seasons means having that much more money to spend on making the movie look good.

Many film makers and producers might choose to live at the Costa del Sol for part of the year, perhaps in the beautiful La Chapas district, where a 7-bed villa with swimming pool and stunning sea views costs around EUR 2.7 million. The area has much to offer with regard to long-term investment opportunities and a steady rental income to fall back on.

Letting out a modest 3-bed apartment that sleeps 6 holidaymakers comfortably can mean making a gross income of ca. £340 per week or more, ample reason for transient movie people to purchase a semi-permanent home in Elviria or La Chapas, both located in the east of Marbella, where one gets a great deal of "house" for one's money.