Meg Ryan, Richard Linklater and Yasujirô Ozu take center stage at BCN Film Fest

The BCN Film Fest kicked off on Thursday with a week of cinema that will present 69 titles in its eight sections at different venues throughout Barcelona.  

Until April 26, film lovers can enjoy 15 world premieres, one European premiere, 20 Spanish premieres and 11 Catalan premieres.  

The spotlight this year is on actress Meg Ryan, American filmmaker Richard Linklater and classic director Yasujirô Ozu, director of the 1953 masterpiece Tokyo Story.

Linklater, known for films such as 'Boyhood' or 'School of Rock', will receive the Honorary Award at the closing gala on April 26, where he will personally present his latest work, 'Hit Man', which is making its Spanish debut. 

Catalan directors Ibai Abad with 'Escanyapobres,' Laura Jou with 'Caída Libre,' and Spanish director Pau Teixidor with 'Alumbramiento' are contenders for the Best Movie award at BCN Film Fest, expected to garner significant attention during the event.

Highlights include 'Daaaaaalí!' by Quentin Dupieux, 'Memory' by Michel Franco and 'The Nature of Love' by Monia Chokri.   

Other notable screenings are 'Freud's Last Session', starring Anthony Hopkins, and 'Joan Baez: I am a noise', featuring a virtual conversation with the American singer. 

The festival will also screen the Italian box office hit 'There's Still Tomorrow' by Paola Cortellesi, a post-war narrative focusing on the female perspective.  

Catalan dramatic comedy 'Casa en flames', directed by Dani de la Orden, kicked off the festival on Thursday at the Verdi Cinemas.  

The film portrays a family gathering on the Costa Brava, supposedly to sell their family home, revealing the underlying tensions between its members.