By Eugenio Amézquita Velasco
In its sixth edition under the motto "Expansive November" (Noviembre Expansivo), the 2026 Celaya Experimental Film Fest breaks away from traditional film exhibition by combining independent cinema screenings—ranging from slow cinema and surrealism to video art and video dance—with poetic performance, underground music, and visual arts across various alternative and institutional venues in the city, solidifying Celaya as a vibrant hub for the independent artistic avant-garde backed by cultural institutions.
With an ambitious multidisciplinary agenda under the concept "Expansive November," the Celaya Experimental Film Fest celebrates its Sixth Edition this 2026, establishing itself as one of the most relevant showcases for independent film, video art, and alternative performing arts in the region.
Backed by the Ministry of Culture (Secretaría de Cultura), the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE), and the Nuestro Cine MX platform, the festival rolls out an official program of short films and special events from November 6 to 26, taking over both independent spaces and emblematic museum venues in the city.
Screening route: Official selection and guests
The official short film program kicked off on Friday, November 6 at 7:00 PM at Sierva María Boutique, featuring the screening of the Official Selection in the Surrealist category. The lineup continues under the following schedule:
-Thursday, November 12 (7:00 PM – Cinema Casual): Screening of the Official Selection in the Celaya Panorama (Panorama Celaya) category.
-Friday, November 13 (7:00 PM – El Almazen del Bro): Screening of the Official Selection in the Slow Cinema category, accompanied by a special screening of the guest short film "Mal de Tierra" by Camila Caballero.
-Wednesday, November 18 (7:00 PM – El Almazen del Bro): Screening of the Official Selection in the Video Art and Animation category, plus an Experimental Cinema Series session featuring a "Surprise Medium-Length Film."
-Thursday, November 19 (7:00 PM – Cinema Casual): Showcase of the Official Selection corresponding to the Experimental category.
-Friday, November 20 (7:00 PM – Cinema Casual): Exhibition of the Official Selection in the Alternative category.
-Thursday, November 26 (6:30 PM – Octavio Ocampo Art Museum of Celaya): Closing screening of the Official Selection in the Local and Video Dance category, alongside the screening of the guest short film "Posdata para el fin del mundo" by John Melo.
Visual arts, poetry, and underground music: Event program
Running parallel to the film screenings, the sixth edition of the festival integrates an official program of artistic events, talks, and musical gatherings at the same venues:
-Friday, November 13 (7:00 PM – El Almazen del Bro): Opening of the Experimental Gallery led by visual artists Alex Rivera and Arturo Rosales, with live music by DJ Fubex.
-Wednesday, November 18 (7:00 PM – El Almazen del Bro): Presentation of the short film "Post Sida" and an open talk with its director, Lothar Muller. Adults only.
-Thursday, November 19 (7:00 PM – Cinema Casual): Presentation of the poetic performance "La tierra no archiva" by Zara Acosta, followed by an underground music session with Dreadful Side Records.
-Friday, November 20 (7:00 PM – Cinema Casual): Musical evening titled "Noche de Surf" (surf rock), headlined by Agustín DL.
-Thursday, November 26 (6:30 PM – Octavio Ocampo Art Museum of Celaya): Closing performing arts session featuring the poetic performance "Poesía alquímica en el atanor de la melancolía" presented by Adrián Vorfreude, and the intervention "Carrete de poemas" by Mara Lorca.
Organizers invite Celaya residents and visitors to check for updates and additional lineup details through their official Instagram account: `@Celaya_Experimental_Film_Fest`. #MetroNewsMx #GuanajuatoDesconocido
