The 8th Edition of DART will be held from November 27 to December 10 at Cinemes Girona, Sala Phenomena, Zumzeig and Maldà cinemas, as well as cultural venues including MACBA, Disseny Hub Barcelona, The Social Hub, and Laie Pau Claris.

The DART Art Film and Documentary Festival kicks off in Barcelona, a dart aimed directly at the heart of the timeless tandem of art and cinema. While we might have forgotten, there was a time when cinema was merely a sideshow attraction. Middle and working classes, even the occasional royal, were mesmerized by scenes of workers leaving a factory or trains arriving at a station — life itself, captured in magical motion on screen.

However, it took quite some time for this new entertainment to be recognized as an art form. The 20th century, a century of upheaval, brought about cinema’s own revolution. As artists distanced themselves from the rigid canons dictated by centuries-old academies, cinema increasingly captivated restless minds seeking new means of expression. Thus, a predictable romance emerged: cinema became a playground for artists of all kinds, offering a unique medium to convey their messages to the world.

In terms of earthly years, not much time has passed since then. Yet, since the Industrial Revolution, everything has accelerated — for better or worse. If we’ve forced the Earth into a fast-forward existence, the arts have followed suit. Cinema, once competing with bearded ladies, human cannons, and flea circuses, has become a core medium intrinsically tied to contemporary art. A perfect blend, or perhaps the complete fusion of medium, content, and authorship — a destined phenomenon.

Within this context, the DART International Festival of Art Documentaries is a prime opportunity to indulge in the best documentaries on artists and their creative processes, both nationally and internationally. This 8th edition features 20 feature-length documentaries — 15 international and 5 national or with national participation — along with 3 short films. The festival also continues its close collaboration with Filmin, where selected titles will be available until December 31.

For a taste of what’s in store: I Am Martin Parr by Lee Shulman, a deep dive into the work of the iconic British photographer, will open the festival on Wednesday, November 27, at Sala Phenomena.

As a grand finale, Lolo & Sosaku – The Western Archive by Sergio Caballero, artist and co-director of Sónar Festival, will be screened for free on Tuesday, December 10, at Disseny Hub Barcelona.

Moreover, the festival will feature Dahomey by Mati Diop, winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival — a powerful reflection on the plundering of African art by Colonial France. A controversial topic, sure to spark debate.

Adding to the celebration, DART joins the centenary of Antoni Tàpies with two documentaries: Tàpies, el joc de saber mirar by Sergi Guix Planas and Elements of a Journey: Antoni Tàpies by James Scott.

Complementing the screenings are parallel activities, making for an invigorating week. Highlights include art and eroticism sessions at Laie Pau Claris and a day dedicated to artist Renzo Martens at MACBA.

As we’ve mentioned, this marriage of convenience between art and cinema was destined for a passionate affair. Now, it’s our turn to sit back and savor the fruits of this cinematic romance. A unique opportunity to better understand the artists who have woven, as Peggy Guggenheim famously said, the art of our century.

(Cover image: Still from I Am Martin Parr by Lee Shulman)