Overview
- Valladolid’s tourism councilor Blanca Jiménez announced the co-directorship, which was backed by the festival’s governing council and supported by leading industry figures including Fernando Lara, Javier Angulo and Spanish Film Academy president Fernando Méndez-Leite.
- Javier H. Estrada will continue to lead programming, retaining the established selection team of Jose Cabrera, Andreea Pătru, Eulàlia Iglesias, Carolina Martínez and Álvaro Arroba.
- The move follows the December 2 death of director José Luis Cienfuegos, with both appointees described as longtime collaborators who helped shape recent editions.
- City officials said they plan to launch the formal selection process this year so a single successor can take office in 2027 to prepare the 72nd edition.
- Organizers emphasized continuity for the 71st Seminci, scheduled for October 23–31, 2026, highlighting an experienced team and the preservation of the festival’s editorial line.