Over 70 films will be screened during this celebration of independent cinema, which presents some fine examples of creative expression through images and sound, weaving in and out of personal narratives, experimental montage and original proposals. Short, feature length, animation and documentary categories from all corners of the world will articulate a variety of themes and concepts and compete for cash prizes.

When in Barcelona here are a few things that nearly had me come unstuck. I felt pretty secure about protecting my wallet, though pickpockets there have taken it to the next level. None of the more obvious bumping into you or here hold my baby, I had a youth with a big smile come up to me, "do you want to play this game" Do you like football? No But by this stage your curiosity has been sparked as to why he is hookinjg his leg around your calf and tapping it, diverting your attention from his amigo ripping your wallet from behind. Another is the old escalator trick, one walks and stands in front of you on an upward escalator unassumingly, then suddenly bows down, from behind you get pushed falling on top of the guy in front, exposing your back pocket nicely for the guy behind.It also pays to beware of the (mostly) nigerian prostitutes, in there attempted advances, hands go wandering, perhaps into the coat pocket, I have found the only way to stop them is to grab both there hands, hold them away from you, then leave with haste.

I never thought it would happen to me but I was a victim of pickpocketing twice! I wasn't paying attention and my wallet and backpack were stolen...but I somehow got both of them back. Be especially careful if you go to the internet cafe, Easy Everything. Pickpocketers just roam around looking for their next victim. And of course be especially careful if you are in any type of crowded place. When walking, put your bag in front of you so you can see it at all times!

One of the most interesting things you can do in Barcelona, is go to "Plaza del Rey" and visit the "Historia de la Ciudad" (City History) Museum. There, wonderfully preserved, the remains of the Roman City of Barcino (ancient name of Barcelona) can be walked through, streets, houses, everything...2000 year old remains of one of the most important cities of the Mediterranean. The elevator of the museum takes you down from the "Plaza del Rey" to the city under the ground, saved for History by centuries of Architecture....

I don't know if it's a Spanish tradition or a Catalan one, but sometimes to cross a street become THE great adventure of your life !!! <BR> For example, it's friday night, you are exhausted after a big and hard day at work, you know you've got plenty of stuff to do like to do some shopping, if you want to eat this week-end, to call your friends to know what they are going to do tonight... You watch the traffic lights and there's a green light for you, but it begins to be intermittent. So, please, if you want to stay alive, DON'T cross the street !!! Because when the drivers see that the green light is intermittent for you, they begin again to move forward, evenif it's still red light for them !!! Ah, the dangerous life in city...

One of the most important element in the Catalonian culture is the "castells". If you look for "castell" in a dictionnary, you'll find castle, but this is not what I am talking about. No, no, for me and for the Catalonian, a "castell" is like a human tower.<BR> It's such amazing and such interesting to see ones. Last year, when I was studying in the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, every thursday I was watching this show, just between the library of social sciences and the library of sciences. But, normally, when there is a big event in Catalonia or a feast for the saints, you can see ones.<BR> I don't know exactly the origins, but, for me, it's like something which represents the Catalonian people through the different steps of the life. At the bottom, you see the strong men and also the oldest. And, at the top of a "castell", there is a little kid. Except the considerations about the weight, I think it's something charged in signification: a "castell" is the symbol of the transfer of a culture, the Catalonian culture...

I don't know why, but sometimes, it's very difficult for me to speak Spanish in Barcelona. No, no, no, it's not because of the catalan speaking in Barcelona... As I am a blonde-haired girl with blue eyes, everyone in this town thinks I am an English or an American person. So, this is an SOS: por favor, habladme en castellano !!! <BR> But, this is not the only fact linked to my hair. My hairdresser in Cerdanyola (a town close to Barcelona) was so surprised when she saw me the first time. She asked me if I was a thrue blonde-haired girl, as if I had a very dangerous sickness. <BR> So, difficult to forget you are not Spanish in Barcelona !!!

I wore one at a futbol match, didn't take it off afterwards bc it was sortof cold out, then I somehow found myself in a mob of angry opponents (even though I wasn't really rooting for either team). Next thing I knew, hundreds of people were calling me an "hijo de puta" "polla(?)" and assorted other petnames. It's a bit disheartening to have hundreds of spaniards insulting you with hatred in their eyes, bullhorns, and pointing fingers. Luckily the cops were there and I didn't end up unconscious or un-alive... so don't do that bc it was -- um -- weird.

When those little palques in an elevator say, when translated, "four person maximum", they really mean it. Yes, I'm stating the obvious because, yes, I have been stuck in one... on a saturday night... after the Barcelona-Madrid futbol game. We would probably still be there if 'mowen' hadn´t figured out the way to open the door, through which we jumped to safety. Don't be that last person ('repete' was guilty in our case) to jump in.

Cine Malda, situated on Calle de Pi, just off the delightful Placa del Pi (a perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon beverage), is a must for all film fans. Showcasing some of the best American and international independent films, all in original versions, Malda offers respite for blockbuster refugees and curious fans alike. On top of providing high-quality cinema, Malda allows its visitors enjoy two films (run consecutively) for the price of one. A bargain in any langage!! A hostel of the same name (Hostal Malda) is situated across form the cinema. One of the cheapest hostels i am aware of in Barcelona, it is run by an elderly couple whose son speaks english, appears to weightlift in his room all day and is quite a nice chap...in a Norman Bates kind of way. In any case, both are there to be enjoyed, so get cracking!!