“CiBRA has grown thanks to the work and efforts of a large team and the support of the public”

Gabriel Castano he feels of the city and of Toledosince he has lived between these two cities since the age of two. “My life takes place between the road between La Puebla and Toledo”, answer. Perhaps, as this radio host and film producer recognizes, it was on this path that an event began to take shape that acquired enormous scale, becoming a place of attraction for major cinema stars and established authors who, year after year, come to Toledo. to enjoy the Festival du Film et de la Parole gala. This year, that was evident in the photos that already make up the CiBRA story.

—What assessment can you make of the 16th edition of the CiBRA Film and Word Festival, which has just ended?

—This is a very positive result because the figures are fantastic. Everything that is done fills up and the places sell out quickly, but it is also very satisfying because there are people, it fills the rooms. That is to say that the public leaves very happy because they had the opportunity, for example, to see films which have not yet arrived in commercial cinemas. They attend presentations of books which, as in the case of Leonardo Padura, were presented earlier in Toledo than in Madrid. Sonsoles Onega also presented his novel, Premio Planeta, in Castilla La Mancha. Of course, there is a but, which is that we may need more seats to be able to see everything we offer. Tickets are selling out quickly. We need to find a solution so that people can enjoy the festival.

—Within the program proposed this last edition, what does the director of CiBRA retain?

—It’s very difficult because in the end we do everything with a lot of love. When the goals are achieved, you are satisfied. For example, there are things that seem smaller but are larger. The MiniCiBRA, which welcomed more than 10,000 children this year. For example, the case of the town of Marjaliza, where five children and two teachers moved to Toledo. Seeing them walk into a movie theater to see a movie for the first time is something that gives us great satisfaction in making it a reality.

More spacious spaces

— Difficult to choose something specific?

-It’s difficult. I must highlight the presence of great faces of cinema and literature who visited the festival and who delighted the spectators. I wouldn’t know what to choose because I believe that all the activities that we do and prepare have a single intention, which is none other than that of bringing cinema and literature to all citizens.

—Have you thought about a solution to the lack of space in certain venues hosting the festival?

— The ideal would be to have a large room, but you also need to enhance the different spaces. Perhaps reopen the Unicaja room (former Liberbank) and have rooms with more capacity. You also have to think about duplicating passes. This is something we’ve tried before and it worked well. This could be an alternative. I think this is where the solution lies. Have more rooms, schedule two screenings and have larger spaces. That would be fantastic.

—You previously alluded to MiniCiBRA, what programming had this section dedicated to young people?

—For Primary children, we have included animated films. We also do programs in English and French, which generally work very well and are very popular with educational centers. More and more people are signing up. Since we have had control, the little ones generally come from provinces and towns that do not have cinemas, and they come to the cinema for the first time. In town, high school students move around more. This series was shown at the Luz del Tajo shopping center and, in Torrijos, at the Redux cinemas.

—The presence of great writers who came to Toledo and La Puebla de Montalbán, does this demonstrate the authors’ support for this festival?

—We try to find a balance between local authors and big national and international names like Leonardo Padura. This year we had Luis Landero, José María Cabeza and in the next few days we will present Macarena Alonso, which could not be done within the festival. We try to mix and expand these literary options because, ultimately, it has to be balanced. This year has been very round for us.

Affordable prices

—This year’s program, with more than 60 activities, requires a lot of dispersion. Have you ever considered having a CiBRA headquarters?

—Normally we have Puebla de Montalbán and Toledo. La Puebla, like the heart where everything was born and where an option is given to a population that does not have a cinema. At La Puebla we show in the official section cassettes of adapted screenplays and the best titles already released because that’s what people ask for. In Toledo we put the same two sections, but with previews. This balance works very well. We distribute well and reach all places. It is true that to achieve this objective we must have ideal rooms with greater capacity, even if not all sites are ready to accommodate it depending on the events.

—An important element of the festival is that the prices are very affordable. Does the collaboration of institutions – which support CiBRA – make it possible to maintain these prices?

—For us, one of our handicaps is the economic aspect. In other words, we are growing, but we need to grow more. Right now we have an oversized project for the people we are with. Most of the team members work for the love of art. We always consider that culture must be accessible, that it is not a question of giving it away or making it free, what it should be is within the reach of all citizens. We are following the line of the Municipal Cinema Club of Toledo and for now we are trying to hold on. But somehow we need to get more resources to keep growing. Not only from the effort point of view but also from the economic side. I have always talked about a hybrid engine, where enthusiasm drives everything, but on the other hand it lacks that economic part that must grow to try to achieve the goals and maintain them. You have to find that balance. This is where we are. For now, the truth is that satisfaction means that it remains a little aside, but as soon as we close this year and look forward to next year, we must not only maintain public aid, but also obtain private support, which seem to go more slowly. .

—A project of this magnitude has its own needs, what worries you as a director and the people who work at the festival?

— There are several of us. To a greater or lesser extent, some of us work more throughout the year. Others join us when the festival arrives. The truth is that this is the joy of the project, that although every year he behaves more professionally, behind closed doors he is still very familiar, with all the positive things he has. You do everything with a smile from ear to ear, but also with the negative because in the end you lack resources. We are very happy and we don’t want that to change. We want to continue to integrate professionals to help us, but while maintaining this family aspect. As I told you, I fear that the project will be oversized at the level of this back part which is like held by threads, trying to hold everything together as best as we can so that everything goes smoothly from door to door . There are times when you feel insecure precisely because you don’t know if you have enough resources to make it work. We need stability that makes the project maintainable.

—Who guarantees this security so that the festival continues to grow?

—I am very grateful to public administrations for their support because I see that they really believe in it. But our obligation is that if we want to continue growing, it is necessary to convince them that we must take one more step each time. Growth comes on the one hand from public administrations and, on the other hand, from private companies that continue to work and plant to bring together more alliances that make us grow. This is where we are. This is the work we do for much of the year. Try to get the resources that will allow you to stabilize and have peace of mind from the stress that organizing an event lasting so many days and with so many responsibilities can require. It is true that if we succeed, the festival will become more stable and ensure sustained growth each year.

Power of appeal

— Should we emphasize the unifying power of CiBRA. How do you get it?

— More than my work, it’s a bit of good work. The project developed by doing things well and trying to make them attractive. I think people also stick to the program which is done carefully, taking care of the little details, trying to provide different things that you don’t see anywhere else. This has been work year after year and carried out by a fantastic team who make the festival. I have no attraction to anything. Without a good team, nothing can be done. No one stands out from the others. It’s my turn to show my face and often it’s difficult for me because I don’t see myself in front of a camera or in front of anything. It’s true that behind me, there are many people who do exceptional work and who are wonderful. They devote very valuable time to the festival, make it interesting for citizens and enjoy it every day.

– Finally, your position regarding the cinema city of Toledo is known. These days, Izquierda Unida has criticized its support for this project. What is your opinion?

-I was recently with Chema and he didn’t say anything to me. The truth is that something resonated with me on Twitter, but I don’t want to get into the controversy. I don’t have all the data. But if you talk to me about cinema, I think the option that has been given to the city is spectacular. If done right, there can be a change and turning point in Toledo and the region when it comes to cinema and the film industry. Until now, most people who work in the cinema field had to go to Madrid. In this way, I believe that a lot can be generated around it and that we can benefit from it, Toledo being an exceptional cinematographic destination. It is true that from what I read or what I was told it was something like that linked to the Tagus River, although the project will take great care of the river banks and clean part very abandoned. I am open to talking to anyone and have no problem defending my opinion on what I know. It seems to me that this is a great opportunity for people who are dedicated to cinema in Toledo and Castile-La Mancha.