Z365" or "Festival all year round" is the new strategic point of the Festival in which converge investigation, accompaniment and development of new talents (Ikusmira Berriak, Nest); training and cinematic knowledge transfer (ElĆas Querejeta Zine Eskola, Zinemaldia + Plus, Filmmakers' dialogue); and investigation, disclosure and cinematic thought (Z70 project, Thought and Discussion and Research and publications).
Antonio Banderas was back at the Festival yesterday as the star and producer of Gabe IbaƱezās Autómata, which was screened in the Official Section. The film is a result of a really personal commitment by Banderas that came about while he was shooting La piel que habito with Almodóvar. His co-star Elena Anaya, who had worked with IbaƱez on Hierro, passed on the script to him, convinced that without is involvement it would never get made. Both Banderas and IbaƱez pointed out that the film had been made to do well on the international market and thatās why they shot it in English. Banderas also stressed that it wasnāt a super-production but had been made with blood, sweat and tears and by relying on personal favours, which justified the collaboration of friends like Melanie Griffith or Javier Bardem.