Ull Nu Festival's Catalan Script Lab Welcomes Recha and Funes as Tutors

The fourth edition of the Ull Nu Festival's Catalan-language script laboratory, set for May 21-24, will feature filmmakers Marc Recha and Belén Funes as tutors for eight emerging creators developing short film projects.

Organisers will select eight finalist scripts from open submissions for intensive work sessions with the directors, focusing on technical and creative refinement, narrative structure, and character development. Two winners will each receive €500 toward production costs. The deadline for applications remains April 4, with details on the festival website. The short film competition stays open until March 22.

Recha, known for his poetic and contemplative style in Catalan auteur cinema, emphasises humanist perspectives on marginalised characters, silence, and landscapes. His feature debut, *El cielo sube* (1991), led to a distinguished filmography including *L’arbre de les cireres* (1998), *Les mans buides* (2003), *Dies d’agost* (2006), *Petit indi* (2009), *Un dia perfecte per volar* (2015), *La vida lliure* (2017), *Ruta salvatge* (2023), and his latest, *Centaures de la nit* (2024), which premiered at the Málaga Film Festival and received a best film nomination in the "Noves Visions" section at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival. Beyond the script lab, Recha will lead an audiovisual creation workshop and present *Centaures de la nit* with a discussion at Andorra la Vella's Congress Centre.

Funes brings a realistic and engaged approach to her work, with precise character construction and sensitivity toward family bonds, social tensions, and emotional vulnerability. Her feature debut, *La hija de un ladrón* (2019), premiered at San Sebastián International Film Festival, earning the Silver Shell for best actress, followed by a Goya for best new director. She has built on this with projects exploring intimate and social themes.

The Creand Crèdit Andorrà-sponsored circuit for new artistic installations closed last Sunday with 45 entries. A jury will choose works for free public display in Andorra la Vella on May 22 and 23.