José Luis Cienfuegos, Simensee’s director, died on Tuesday, December 2 Suddenly at the age of 60According to what was reported by the festival organization itself.
“After three decades dedicated to Trend of some of the most important festivals in Spainculminating in the 70th edition of Semensi, José Luis Cienfuegos died in Madrid,” they expressed in an official statement via their networks.
“It has taken a multi-faceted view, highlighting the essential role played by distributors, producers, critics and the media in promoting an auteur’s cinema. It has radically changed the way festivals are held. In our country, making them livable places where cinema has become a pillar of celebration of culture and life,” they point out the legacy it leaves in the industry.
The press section of the Gijón Festival was where he made himself known, jumping into directing the event in 1995. “He turned the Asturian event into a gateway to our country for the most daring and stimulating filmmakers; Promoting new trends that have emerged globally, Paying special attention to the cinematic past,” they report on this phase of their career.
“In 2012, he took over the management of the Seville Festival, which also made him a spearhead for the authors who were setting standards. The pulse of contemporary cinemaStrengthening its relations with Spanish and European industry.
After that, they highlight his career at the Valladolid Festival since 2023, which he considers “the biggest challenge of his career.” “Over the course of three editions, he put his unmistakable stamp on the trend, being faithful to the history and spirit that characterized SimenseeWhich also leads the festival to necessary renewal. And so on until the 70th edition, which is undoubtedly one of the most successful editions in the long history of the competition, and is a perfect example of the concept of festivals.”
Reactions to Cienfuegos’ death from his followers and organizations were not long in coming. One was from the Valladolid City Council, which expressed its condolences in a message from X: “In these moments of pain The city is next to your family, friends and all your colleagues The festival and the world of cinema.
For his part, the city’s mayor, Jesús Julio Carneiro, pointed out that Cienfuegos, in the three versions directed by “The Beloved” Simenci, has proven his ability to make him gain more and more weight. “He loved life and people, was enthusiastic, and was a person full of enthusiasm.. Simensee and the city of Valladolid will always remember José Luis Cienfuegos.”