The Alicante Film Festival Mourns the Passing of Ramón Margareto

El Alicante Film Festival has commenced its twenty-second edition with profound sadness. It begins with memories of its early years, focusing on the legacy of its former deputy director in its inception, Ramón Margareto.

The filmmaker and painter passed away this Sunday at the age of 63 in his hometown of Palencia. The sorrowful news has been a shock to the Alicante festival, with which Margareto had been "closely linked" over various periods.

His first involvement was from 2004 to 2010 as the deputy director of the Alicante Film Festival, alongside Vicente Seva. Later, he served as the president of the official jury in its ninth edition in 2012.

Moreover, the city of Alicante and its province have been integral to his legacy. Firstly, through the exhibition 'Ramón Margareto: Cinema and Painting' at the Las Cigarreras Contemporary Culture Centre. Secondly, through the filming of his movie 'Bollywood, made in Spain' in the region.

This film is deeply rooted in Alicante culture, as it was co-produced by Vicente Seva and was nominated for a Goya Award for Best Song, composed by Luis Ivars, who received the music award for this edition of the Alicante Film Festival.

Additionally, this film received a special mention at the Indian International Cine Film Festival in Mumbai in 2016.

With all this connection and affection, the organization of the Alicante Film Festival has expressed their "deep sadness and sorrow" over the passing of Ramón Margareto.

The screenwriter and director from Rioseco, adopted by Palencia, "was the soul who took the first steps with me in this adventure of the Alicante Film Festival; his passion remains alive in every screening, in every applause," stated Vicente Seva.

Furthermore, in the field of painting, Margareto developed a style he called 'geopop art', a fusion of geometric abstraction and pop art, and held exhibitions in various cities, including Madrid, Alicante, and Palencia.