José Luis Cienfuegos, Renowned Director of Spain’s Valladolid, Seville and Gijón Festivals, to Receive Posthumous Bellas Artes Golden Order of Merit

José Luis Cienfuegos, an indefatigable force for the modernization, international vision, new talent focus and industry and popular impact of three important Spanish film festivals, died from a stroke on Dec. 2. He was 61.

Two weeks later, Spain’s Council of Ministers announced that Cienfuegos will receive its Bellas Artes Golden Medal of Merit. The honor has been applauded by a huge sweep of politicians, cineastes, journalists and Spain’s industry across any divides. That’s how things should be. Cienfuegos’ death has left Spain’s industry with a sense of incredulity. Effusive, affable, hard-partying, Cienfuegos also worked as hard as hell for 30 years to share his passion for cinema beyond studio fare, first as director of the Gijón Film Festival (1995-2012), then the Seville European Film Festival (2013-2022) and finally the Valladolid Film Festival, from 2023.

Cienfuegos’ Gijón Revolution

It is hard to overstate the joyous impact of Cienfuegos when he…