Alexis W and La Gran Montaña: The Vision Behind Movilfest’s Official Poster

The official poster of Movilfest featured a captivating image by artist Alexis W, taken from his installation La Gran Montaña. This photographic series presented eight unique views of Spain’s highest peak, the Teide, showcasing not only its physical grandeur but also the emotions and memories it evokes.

That same year, Alexis W had exhibited his solo show El Viaje at the Fernando Pradilla Gallery during PhotoEspaña Madrid 2010. His work was a journey through time and memory, intertwining personal narratives with images and objects that held deep symbolic meaning. His collection of over fifty worn sneakers, each bearing the traces of past journeys, symbolized the individuality of each path, the uniqueness of every step, and the stories embedded in those experiences.

A Perfect Fit for Movilfest: “The Big Mountain of Shorts”

This profound connection between movement, memory, and storytelling made Alexis W the ideal choice for the official poster of Movilfest. His imagery perfectly aligned with the festival’s theme for this edition: “The Big Mountain of Shorts”. This slogan encapsulated the festival’s focus on celebrating diverse voices and unique narratives, much like how each of Alexis W’s photographs of the Teide offered a different perspective on the same majestic peak.

Movilfest is dedicated to its mission:

“To create a more just, fun, healthy, and equal world through creativity, mobile technology, and innovation.”

Alexis W’s work beautifully illustrated this mission. Just as no two footprints are the same, no two stories are identical. Movilfest champions the power of mobile filmmaking, enabling creators from all walks of life to share their personal journeys, whether they are documenting real-life experiences, expressing emotions, or crafting imaginative tales. Each filmmaker, like Alexis W’s worn sneakers, leaves behind an unmistakable and unrepeatable mark.

The Teide: A Mountain of Stories and Shorts

For the inaugural Movilfest Tenerife 2010, the Teide served as more than just a geographical symbol; it represented the idea of a “big mountain” of stories. Each film screened at the festival carried its own mix of emotions, memories, and viewpoints—much like Alexis W’s photographs of the Teide, which revealed diverse facets of the same iconic landscape.

Even in one of Alexis W’s images where the Teide is not visible, its presence is unmistakable. “You don’t need to see it to know it’s there,” he once reflected. This concept is at the heart of Movilfest: stories aren’t just about what is seen, but about what is felt and remembered.

Through his lens, Alexis W captured more than just a mountain—he encapsulated the essence of Movilfest: a festival where every voice is heard, every perspective is valued, and every filmmaker leaves an irreplaceable footprint on the cinematic landscape. “The Big Mountain of Shorts” celebrated this diversity, uniting filmmakers under the shadow of the Teide to share their stories, their journeys, and their dreams.