Mecal is the International Short Film and Animation Festival of Barcelona, recognized as a leading event both nationally and internationally. The festival stands out for its carefully curated selection of fiction, animation, documentary, and experimental short films from around the world. In addition to screenings, Mecal organizes professional activities, workshops, industry meetings, and open-air sessions, establishing itself as one of the most important events in Spain and on the international scene.

Mecal Pro, the Barcelona International Short Film and Animation Festival, brings forward its 28th edition to May 21–31, opening the open-air cinema season. With over 5,000 submissions, it presents a selection across Animation, Documentary, Fiction and Oblique, along with parallel sections such as LGTBIQ+, Green, Womart, and cult genres like Horror and Sci-Fi.

This year’s guest country is the Netherlands, with participation from Go Short and the Netherlands Film Academy. The festival also highlights local talent, film schools, and introduces a new section dedicated to artificial intelligence.

On the professional side, Mecal Lab supports selected projects and networking activities are strengthened, consolidating the festival as a key hub for the audiovisual industry. Welcome to Barcelona’s audiovisual summer with the 28th Mecal Pro.