Born in 1986 in Barcelona, Carla Simón grew up in a small village in Catalonia. She studied audiovisual communication at the University of California and at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She later received the Obra Social – La Caixa scholarship, which enabled her to study at the London Film School. She made several short films, including two experimental works, Women (2009) and Lovers (2010), co-directed with filmmaker Marco Businaro, followed by two further films in London: the documentary Born Positive (2012) and Lipstick (2013). She went on to direct Las pequeñas cosas (2015), Llacunes (2016), If Then Else (2019), Correspondencia (2020), and Carta a mi madre para mi hijo (2022). She is also involved in film education for children and teenagers through the association “Cinema en Curs”. Her first feature film, Summer 1993 (2017), an autobiographical work shot in the rural region of La Garrotxa where she grew up, received numerous awards, including three Goya Awards and a nomination at the European Film Awards and was selected as Spain’s submission for the Academy Awards. Having become one of the leading voices of contemporary Spanish cinema, Carla Simón received the Golden Bear at the Berlinale for her second feature, Alcarràs (2022). The film was selected at more than 90 international festivals, represented Spain at the Academy Awards, and won six Gaudí Awards. Her third feature film, Romería (2025), inspired by her own personal history, was presented in the Competition at the Festival de Cannes.
Short films and La Cinef Jury of the 79th Festival de Cannes
Screenwriter and director Carla Simón will preside over the short films and La Cinef Jury of the 79th Festival de Cannes. She will be flanked by actress and visual artist Park Ji-Min, director, screenwriter and producer Ali Asgari, actor and director Salim Kechiouche and director and screenwriter Magnus von Horn. Together, they will award the Short Film Palme d’or and the 3 La Cinef prizes, the Festival de Cannes’ selection dedicated to student films.
The Jury will discover the 10 films in the Short Film Competition and the 19 films in La Cinef Selection.
“A short film is a whole universe. In just a few minutes it can leave a lasting mark forever. Created in freedom, driven by artistic risk, and above all infused with soul, it reconnects me with the essence of cinema and the excitement of first times. Even for those who work in feature filmmaking, the short form remains a vital space for experimentation and renewal. I am deeply honoured to serve as President of the Short Films and La Cinef Jury, and grateful for the opportunity to discover new voices and be transformed. Returning to Cannes is, once again, and adventure, a dream and a privilege.”
Carla Simón, President of the Short Films and La Cinef Jury
