SONAFILM, the Marina Alta Film Music Festival, presented the contents of its seventh edition this Friday at the SGAE headquarters in Madrid. The event will take place from August 1 to 23 in different locations in the region. This year's big news will be the presence of American composer Vince DiCola, author of iconic soundtracks such as Rocky IV (1985) and Transformers: The Movie (1986), who will participate in a concert honoring the cinema of the 80s.
The presentation ceremony was opened by Antonio Onetti, president of the SGAE, and was attended by Javier Gil Pérez, director of SONAFILM and manager of the Universal Symphony Orchestra; Pedro Mérida, producer of the festival; Isabel Royán, composer; Raquel Mengual Bisquert, Councilor for Tourism of Ondara; Raúl García Reina, Councilor for Culture of Ondara. DéniaGuillermo Sendra Guardiola, Councilor for Culture of Calpe; Mario Ortiz Fuentes, Councilor for Festivals of Beniarbeig (representing Ana Gallart, Councilor for Culture); Mavi Pérez Font, Councilor for Culture of Xàbia/Jávea; and Ricardo Sendra García, Pego's Tourism Councillor.
Under the title "80 and Action!", the main concert of this edition will take place on August 23 at 20:00 p.m. in the Bullring of Ondara, where the Universal Symphony Orchestra will perform themes from film classics such as Back to the Future, Rambo, Conan el Bárbaro, Predator o Out of Africa.
Javier Gil, director of SONAFILM, has highlighted the importance of film music from the 80s: "That decade turned soundtracks into true generational anthems. At SONAFILM we want to revive that unmistakable energy, bring it into the present and make the audience feel again that an orchestra can lift them off their seats just like a car chase did in Back to the Future or a fight in Rocky IV».
The event will feature up to seven concerts, each of a diverse nature and featuring a unique musical style related to audiovisuals, as well as various educational activities.
The festival will be attended by prominent Spanish composers such as Josué Vergara (Superheros), Ivan Palomares (the crystal girls), Oscar Araujo (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow), Isabel Royán (Oblivion) and Arturo Cardelús (Buñuel in the labyrinth of turtles). All of them will be the protagonists of "Film Music: Made In Spain 3", on August 16 at the Calp Auditorium at 20:00 PM. This is the third part of one of the most celebrated shows in SONAFILM's recent history, a symphonic film music concert unique in our country, as it is entirely dedicated to compositions created for Spanish audiovisuals.
The festival organization thanks the companies and entities that, through sponsorships and collaborations, have been a key part of launching this new edition together with the participating municipalities.
This year, sponsorships have doubled compared to last year, and as a novelty, SONAFILM has a fleet of official cars for the duration of the festival thanks to the dealership Moll MotorIn addition, the official ASA HOTELS hotel is returning, and exclusive SONAFILM promotional codes will be available for all those who wish to attend. These codes will be published shortly on the festival's social media channels.
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Friday, August 1 - Teulada Moraira Auditorium
20:00 PM: "Tele Sinfónica" - performed by the Universal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by José Martínez Colomina.
The opening concert of the seventh edition of SONAFILM is a nostalgic letter to those musical melodies that opened the door to unrepeatable cathode experiences that were part of television programming during the 80s. Unforgettable introductions such as David the Gnome, Curro Jiménez, Once upon a time... there was a manSound works that are part of the collective imagination of an entire generation. "Tele Sinfónica," performed by the Universal Symphony Orchestra, includes in its repertoire a heartfelt tribute to composers such as Jacinto Guerrero, creator of the music for the first Spanish animated feature film, Chickpea of La Mancha Thanks to the collaborative work of the Guerrero Foundation, Tenerife-based host Carlos Miranda, and arranger J. Manuel Encinos, this concert program will be crowned by a performance of the unforgettable music of the man who was, without a doubt, the father of the greatest hits on public television, the great Antón García Abril.
Tickets for 10 euros will soon be on sale at the links provided in www.sonafilm.es.
Sunday, August 3 - Patio of the Pego Cultural Center
22:00 p.m.: “Top Secret” – performed by Spanish Brass.
The brass quintet Spanish Brass, winner of the 2020 National Music Award for performance, presents a musical journey through the world of cinema and espionage. Listen to the most recognizable themes from iconic spy films through their soundtracks: films starring agent 007, James Bond, or directed by Alfred Hitchcock. A film concert to delve into the relationship between cinema and spies.
With 35 years of experience in the music world, Spanish Brass is one of the most dynamic and established chamber groups on the international music scene. In 1996, they won First Prize at the 6th International Competition for Brass Quintets "Ville de Narbonne" (France), considered the most prestigious competition for this group. In 2017, they received the 2019st Bankia Award for Musical Talent in the Valencian Community and, in 2020, the Espai Ter de Música Award in Torroella de Montgrí for the project "Mira si hem corregut terres...". In XNUMX, they received the National Music Award in the Performance category awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
Entrada gratuita hasta completar aforo.
Tuesday, August 5 - Plaza de la Constitució de Xàbia
21:00 PM: "Almodóvar on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" - performed by Esther Ovejero & The Bad Education Band.
One of the distinctive features of Pedro Almodóvar's filmography, especially during the 80s, was his use of music, and specifically, the songs that shaped the audiovisual universe of the filmmaker from La Mancha.
In "Almodóvar on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," SONAFILM aims to reclaim the musical aesthetic that defined one of Almodóvar's most critically acclaimed and internationally acclaimed filmographies through the performance of Canarian singer Esther Ovejero and musical director David Quevedo, along with the Bad Education Band. The concert will also feature a selection of instrumental pieces by Bernardo Bonezzi, who was Almodóvar's trusted composer during the early stages of his career, with whom he worked on a series of titles ranging from Labyrinth of Passion to Tie me up.
Free admission.
Friday, August 8 - Teatre-Auditori de Beniarbeig
20:30 p.m.: “Film Music Live” – Silent film concert performed by The Silent Entertainers Band.
For the second consecutive edition, pianist and composer Jorge Gil Zulueta returns to SONAFILM accompanied by his ensemble The Silent Entertainers Band, to offer an evening that pays tribute to the legacy of silent film through a unique audiovisual experience. Titled "Film Music Live," the program includes a screening of three cinematic gems from the silent era, accompanied by live music: The irresistible piano (Alice Guy, 1907), There It Is (Charley Bowers, 1928) and Sherlock Jr. (Buster Keaton, 1924).
These pioneering works, which marked a turning point in the history of cinema, will be revitalized through a musical performance synchronized with the image, respecting their original spirit and transporting audiences back to the moment of their premiere. An exercise in film archaeology with a musical key reinforces SONAFILM's heritage mission.
Tickets for 8 euros will soon be on sale at the links provided in www.sonafilm.es.
Saturday, August 9 - Casa Santonja Gardens (Beniarbeig)
21:00 PM: “Interstellar Night” – Concert with narrator, by the Valencia String Quartet and Conrado Xalabarder.
Hans Zimmer's influence on contemporary film music will be the focus of this evening under the stars. In the incomparable setting of the gardens of the historic Casa Santonja in Beniarbeig, "Interstellar Night" will take place. This narrated concert features the Valencia String Quartet performing some of the German composer's most memorable pieces, accompanied by live analysis and commentary by Conrado Xalabarder, one of the world's leading experts on film music.
Author of the first Spanish-language book dedicated to Zimmer and creator of the influential MundoBSO platform, Xalabarder will offer the public an informative and emotional perspective on the sound phenomenon that has redefined 21st-century cinema.
This event, which is held in collaboration with the Aguilar Winery And it includes a wine tasting. It's not organized by a city council but was made possible thanks to private initiative: Casa Santonja fully sponsored the concert and volunteered its facilities so the festival could continue to expand its horizons. A gesture that SONAFILM particularly highlights.
Tickets for 8 euros will soon be on sale at the links provided in www.sonafilm.es.
Saturday August 16 - Auditori de Calp
20:00 PM: “Film Music: Made in Spain 3” – performed by the Universal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by José Martínez Colomina.
One of the most successful and acclaimed shows in SONAFILM's recent history returns for the third consecutive year. "Made in Spain 3" is a symphonic tribute to music composed for film, TV series, and video games within the Spanish scene. This year, the spotlight will be on five of the most prominent creators of current Spanish audiovisual productions: Arturo Cardelús, Isabel Royán, Iván Palomares, Josué Vergara, and Óscar Araujo. All of them will be present at the event.
Performed by the Universal Symphony Orchestra and presented by Gorka Oteiza (SoundTrack Fest), this exclusive concert offers a live experience of the present and future of screen music in our country.
Free entry until complete seats.
Sunday, August 17 - Sala Multiespai l'Androna de Baleària – Dénia
From 11:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m.: "Let's Talk About Film Music" – Masterclass with guest composers.
Overlooking the port of Dénia and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the iconic Baleària venue will host a new edition of the relaxed, open-to-the-public talk "We Talk About Film Music." Under the subtitle "The Film Music Recording Process and TV Platforms," the invited composers will discuss the technological and artistic evolution of the recording process for contemporary audiovisual media, including film, platform series, and video games.
We'll feature Arturo Cardelús, Isabel Royán, Iván Palomares, Josué Vergara, and Óscar Araujo, five key names on the national music scene. Araujo will also contribute his perspective as a leading figure in international video game music. The talk will be moderated by journalist Gorka Oteiza (SoundTrack Fest) and will include a wine tasting courtesy of Bodega Aguilar.
As with the concert on the 9th, this event is not organized by a city council, but is the result of a collaboration with the private company Baleària, which has provided and fully financed the event.
Free entry until complete seats.
Friday, August 22 - Auditorium Theatre of the Dénia Social Centre
20:00 PM: "Nights of Fire: 80s – The Neon Decade" – Performed by Moanin Project
Guest artist: Vince DiCola. The band Moanin Project returns to SONAFILM with an electrifying themed concert that will turn the Dénia Auditorium into a true sound party inspired by the great film songs of the 80s. "Noches de Fuego" takes as its starting point the musical universe of Streets of Fire (Walter Hill, 1984), with the imprint of the legendary composer Jim Steinman, and expands it with iconic themes from films such as The Tamarin Seed, Purple Rain, The color of money, Staying Alive o Back to the Future.
The icing on the cake will be the stellar participation of Vince DiCola, composer of such emblematic soundtracks as Rocky IV (1985) and Transformers: The Movie (1986), whose presence at this edition of SONAFILM is one of the great musical events of the year.
Tickets for 10 euros will soon be on sale at the links provided in www.sonafilm.es.
Saturday, August 23 - Ondara Bullring
23:00 PM: “80 and Action!” – performed by the Universal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by José Martínez Colomina.
The seventh edition of SONAFILM culminates with a large-scale symphonic show that will delight fans of 80s action and adventure films. "80 and Action!" offers a musical journey through some of the most legendary titles of the decade, with scores that have become part of the collective memory. The program includes pieces by Rocky IV, Rambo, Conan el Bárbaro, Back to the Future, Predator o Out of Africa, Among others.
The gala will feature the participation of the famous composer Vince DiCola, whose work will be performed as part of the 40th anniversary of Rocky IV, thus celebrating one of the most energetic and memorable musical anthems in sports and action cinema.
Once again, the Universal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by José Martínez Colomina, will bring this powerful closing performance to life in the iconic setting of the Ondara Bullring.
Tickets starting at 20 euros will soon be on sale at the links provided in www.sonafilm.es.
