Mariona Borrull, jury in Sitges, resigns from her position “due to the absence of female and non-binary filmmakers”

Mariona Borrull, journalist and film specialist, has decided to resign from her position on the jury for the 57th edition of the Sitges Film Festival due to “the total absence of female and non-binary filmmakers in the selection.” This was announced this Monday through a publication on her official X profile, in which she explained that she could not excuse this lack of representation or participate in it.

Borrull, who was supposed to be part of the jury of the Brigadoon section, refused to participate in this edition because “parity is only achieved through practice, by including non-binary people in our queues.” A few words that added spirit and encouragement to the festival organization so that they implement measures “that make effective the desires for equality that they manifest.”

“It hurts and worries me to resign from this jury, and I also know that changes will not come in the short term, but I would never consider myself a feminist if, through my silence, I were complicit in an unjust program,” Borrull concluded.

In response to his comments, the Sitges Festival also issued a statement in which it regrets this decision and clarifies the reasons that led to this withdrawal. First, the competition states that, following the guidelines of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), they do not ask for personal information about the sexual identity of filmmakers, so they cannot confirm or deny the participation of filmmakers. -binary.

The aforementioned text also highlights the existence of female talent “in other credits of great importance.” Johanna Horn, producer of The harvestCristina Medina, screenwriter of Central o Sonia Flórez, editor-in-chief of Traveler. In the specific case of the Brigadoon selection, the section in which Mariona Borrull has renounced participating, there are “excellent works by women”, among which the works of Sarah Appleton and Phillip Scott, Lisa D’Apolito and LG White stand out.

Another of the arguments that the organization launches in response to Borrull are the three tributes to the actresses Rossy Mendoza, Tisa Farrow and Teresa Gimpera, who recently passed away. Likewise, they respond that they not only broadcast, but have deployed “in recent years a great program with concrete actions such as residencies for future filmmakers”, as well as their WomanInFan project for the visibility of women.

“Finally, we would like to point out that the Sitges Festival has always believed in talent, without resorting to any quota. The quality and suitability of the productions, according to each section, are the most important and relevant criteria to consider,” concludes the Festival’s press release.

A resignation that comes during the 57th edition of one of the most prestigious and recognized film festivals in Europe, which will take place this year between October 3 and 13 and which directly affects the Brigadoon Section, the section of the festival that promotes feature films, documentaries and short films of independent production and on horror and fantasy themes.