Young filmmaker takes top prize at Menorca Doc Fest
Cristina Enrich Pericás, a Menorcan director and production head, walked away with the Biosfera Award at the 8th Menorca Doc Fest. Her short documentary “L‘aigua dolça” won both the jury prize and the audience award, which was decided by a live vote using viewers’ phones.
About the winning film
“L‘aigua dolça” runs for 17 minutes and follows two local residents, Flora and Marc, as they confront the island’s water crisis. The film shows:
- Wells that are drying up
- Water resources that are poorly managed
- A once‑strong torrent that is becoming increasingly fragile
For Enrich, this project marks her debut in social documentary filmmaking. She holds a degree in Audiovisual Communication and Social Documentary and specializes in coordinating both fiction and non‑fiction projects.
The other contenders
Two other shorts competed for the Biosfera Prize:
“Primera carta a sa meva família” – Miquel Gomila
Length: 12 minutes. An agnostic filmmaker tries to document his family’s faith, guided by a priest who cannot appear on camera or be heard.
“Piel de mar” – Nina Cholet
Length: 10 minutes. A super‑8 sensory immersion that explores posidonia seagrass—the “blue lung of the Mediterranean”—and its link to the wild olive tree.
All three creators were present for the screenings and joined a lively Q&A with the audience afterward.
Festival highlights beyond the awards
The Biosfera ceremony capped a weekend devoted to island cinema:
- Friday featured “Sumé‑The Sound of a Revolution” by Inuk Silis Høegh, with Greenland as the guest island.
- Saturday’s program, “Illes del món,” showcased five short films from the Dominican Republic, the Azores, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, in collaboration with the International Insularia‑Islas en Red festival.
Why the Biosfera Prize matters
The award is funded and supported by the Menorca Film Commission and the Fundació Foment de Turisme de Menorca (FFTM), with additional backing from the Sant Lluís Town Council. It aims to encourage documentary work that highlights environmental and social issues affecting the Balearic Islands.
By combining a professional jury decision with a public vote, the prize recognizes both artistic merit and community impact—a balance that resonates well with young audiences eager to see meaningful stories on screen.
Conclusion
Cristina Enrich Pericás’ “L‘aigua dolça” stands out as a compelling, teen‑friendly look at a pressing local issue. Its win at the Menorca Doc Fest not only celebrates emerging talent but also shines a spotlight on the urgent need for better water management on the island. The festival’s mix of international shorts and local productions continues to make Menorca a vibrant hub for documentary storytelling.
Source
Images Credit: www.menorca.info