Closing of a very exciting CIMASUB with a high level as protagonist

Yesterday we closed the 45th edition of the Donostia - San Sebastián International Underwater Film Festival with two days full of emotion and great public attendance. In the morning the Txikiciclo for families at the Aquarium and in the afternoon the closing gala at the Teatro Principal, with the screening of the best works of this edition, the tribute to Jorge Candán and Pilar Barros with the presentation of the special Francisco Pizarro award, and the awarding of all the handrails to the winners.

The audience that filled the hall showed their great satisfaction with the event and the rest of the sessions offered in this edition of CIMASUB.

The Underwater Activities Section of the Real Sociedad de Fútbol, as organisers of CIMASUB, would like to thank the schools that brought more than seven hundred children to enjoy the Txikiciclo organised by the Real Sociedad Fundazioa and the Aquarium during the week. To the large number of people who attended the three days of CIMASUB. To all the participants in the photography, short film and documentary competition, for surprising us every year with works that move us and transmit passion and talent, and make this Cycle even bigger and more special every year. And of course thanks to all our sponsors and collaborators for making our dream possible, because without them this Cycle could not exist.

We are proud to continue working to raise awareness of the seabed and to convey the message of respect and care for the marine environment.

One of the most special moments of the closing ceremony was the tribute and presentation of the Francisco Pizarro Award to the filmmaker Jorge Candan and his teammate and wife Pilar Barros. The award was presented by Bernard Delemotte, marine operations engineer, diving director and underwater filmmaker and cameraman, who was Commander Jacques Cousteau's partner for twenty years on board the Calypso. Who, together with Carlos Pizarro, dedicated some precious words to our competition, to Paco Pizarro and Gina González, and to Jorge and Pilar.

Our director, David Sánchez Carretero, presented his short film, "Un mar de posibilidades" (A sea of possibilities), presented by the Euskadi selection in the Spanish Championship, which has a solidarity objective to give visibility to the ALS disease. David explained the reasons that led them to create this work, which is the result of their admiration for the swimmer from Subacuáticas Real Sociedad, Jaime Caballero, who has been doing long-distance open water challenges for many years to support those affected by ALS, and which led them to support him in this solidarity task. The sweatshirt he was wearing belonged to "Saca la lengua a a ELA", an association created by Miguel Ángel Roldán, the protagonist of the short film and ALS sufferer who dedicates his life to finding a cure for this cruel disease.

They went up to present the trophies:

    Asier Olano, President of the Underwater Activities Section of the Royal Society of the Spanish Royal Society of Underwater Activities.
    Asier Oyarzabal, Manager and captain of the Brai Kantauri boat.
    Jaime Caballero, President of the Siempre Adelante Association.
    Javier Mendoza, President of the Gipuzkoa Federation of Underwater Activities.
    José Ignacio Espel, President of AQUARIUM
    Rol Freeman, Presenter of AOLDE Radio, On the other side of the mirror.
    Enrique Rubio, Director of ONDINA and OCEANIC life on board cruises.
    Borja Saracho, Director of our new sponsor, CRUSOE TREASURE underwater wineries.
    Maite Azkoaga, Member of the Real Sociedad Foundation

The winners who collected their trophies in the Teatro Principal were:

    Daniel Aldaya and Laura Madrueño, for Rumbo al pasado, golden railing in documentaries. REAL SOCIEDAD FUNDAZIOA Award, S.M.Y. Award. ONDINA AWARD. For Historia de un pecio, DIARIO VASCO Award for the best journalistic work.
    Enrique Talledo, for Cantábrico Salvaje, Silver Handrail in Documentaries and CRUSOE TREASURE Award for the best work carried out in the Cantabrian Sea.
    Vicente Leal, for Fragile, M.Y. Award. OCEANIC with golden rail to the best short film with voice-over.
    Victor Sánchez, for Themba, Silver Handrail in short films with voice-over.
    José Carlos Rando, for Mediterráneo, bronze medal in short films with voice-over.
    La familia de Alex del Olmo, for Berharap, Triton Bay and Janji, DONOSTIA KULTURA Award with gold, silver and bronze railing, respectively, for the best musical short films.
    Isaias Cruz, ORAIN GIPUZKOA Award for the best gallery in the Bay of Biscay.
    Ramón Hernández Martín. SUBACUÁTICAS REAL SOCIEDAD Award for young talent.

The dinner held at the Iruin cider house in the Zubieta neighbourhood brought this edition to a close, full of emotion and acknowledged affection.

And here ends our journey through Donostia... And from today we start with our route through villages all over Gipuzkoa. We will keep you posted on our website and social networks. We hope you have enjoyed the depths of the sea. Thank you all for being part of the International Underwater Film Series of Donostia - San Sebastian.