Quality Standards for Audiovisuals at Festivals

There are festivals that are held year after year, and that's no coincidence. For example, the Fascurt Festival in El Masnou is already in its 24th edition, and the Filmets Festival in Badalona reached its 54th edition in 2026, a true record. Several factors are key to their success, and all require a lot of work, passion, and dedication. But they also require adhering to high standards of quality in all areas, and one of these, of course, is audiovisual equipment. This commitment to excellence requires constant adaptation to technological changes and maintaining the same audiovisual quality standards year after year. And no, not all festivals require the same equipment.

Outdoors
The Lasal Festival of Journalism and Photography takes place on the beach, in a privileged environment, but one that is challenging for audiovisual equipment, with risk factors such as beach sand, dust, wind, rain, and even the proximity of people. Furthermore, an outdoor festival faces a significant challenge: ambient light. In the summer, projectors can't be adjusted until sunset, which also tends to coincide with the festival's start time. At 9 PM in the summer, sunlight makes it virtually impossible to see anything, but framing, focusing, and format testing must begin. Pre-production must be flawless, ensuring the correct optics for the projection distance. This race against time requires professional audiovisual technicians whose training and experience minimize adjustment time.

In terms of sound, pre-production tailored for outdoor settings is also essential. While providing sound for an open-air festival isn't inherently more complex, it does demand precise control of sound pressure coverage, making strategic speaker placement crucial. Providing sound for a church, due to its reflections and acoustics, is quite different from that required for an outdoor festival. Another consideration is that outdoor events typically need generators to power all the equipment, sometimes requiring significantly longer cable runs. Outdoor screens are different from those used at indoor festivals. There are various types of screens, from inflatable to demountable with sturdy supports. In both cases, they must be tensioned at different points on the ground to prevent movement caused by the wind. 

Backup 
“Backup” is a term used for a backup copy, which is the duplication of data. It is also used for supporting material in case the main projector fails. Our recommendation to festivals is to have a second projector, as a precaution and with the same specifications as the main one. This allows for a rapid response in case of a technological failure. And yes, it can happen, but the response from the audiovisual company and the festival is record time, minimizing the wait for the audience.

Quality
It is important to have good visual and sound quality. Projectors are becoming increasingly powerful, with much sharper and higher-resolution image quality. The Ametlla Film Fest, in its second edition (2026), is a good example of this, with a quality that translates into respect for the artist and their work, who will often even be present in the theater. The same is true for sound, whose technological evolution is constantly increasing, and even the playback methodology, with specific programs for broadcasting playlists professionally and efficiently. This seal of quality enhances the festival's positive image, attracting audiences and establishing it as a high-quality event.

Speeches
The Filmets de Badalona festival is a benchmark, with a constant presence of programmers, artists, personalities, and high-ranking officials. Many of these speakers participate in speeches, both at the opening and closing ceremonies, and of course, throughout the festival. Audiovisual equipment will require microphones, lighting for presentations (avoiding interference with the film screenings), and in some cases, a lectern for speeches, especially for the more institutional events. Many festivals give directors, screenwriters, photographers, producers, agents, and artists the opportunity to present their work. This is a crucial moment, as sponsors are usually projected on screen, and the lighting should be focused on the speeches, minimizing its impact on the screen.


Identity 
One short film festival that has distinguished itself through its unique identity is Fascurt del Masnou, and this is no coincidence. After its 24th edition (2026), its growth has been linked to a very singular identity, bringing culture closer to an audience that never misses it. This identity also extends to audiovisual quality, achieved in a complex environment like the beach, but with a commitment to and investment in state-of-the-art equipment, technical supervision during the event, and analysis of the entire process with the festival management for continuous improvement. 
Now in its 13th edition and organized by the Ribes Valley Film Friends Association, the Gollut Festival stands out for an identity closely tied to its venue: a century-old cinema that has been screening films regularly for over a hundred years. It is a festival committed to auteur cinema, socially conscious films, and new forms of storytelling within the Pyrenean region.


In short, audiovisual equipment is directly linked to the festival's quality standards. This budget item, whose complex financing requires sponsors and institutions, involves constant efforts to secure sponsorships, collaborations, and grants, but it is this that gives the festival an identity that is a differentiating factor and makes it a benchmark of professionalism and quality.

With over 30 years in the audiovisual sector, MD Miguel Díaz Audiovisual Services has worked for numerous festivals, involved from pre-production onwards, and providing special support to culture. We have installed our equipment in unique indoor and outdoor environments, as well as in cinemas and large theaters.
If you would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Ametlla Film Fest: https://ametllafilmfest.com/
Fascurt del Masnou: https://www.fascurt.es/
Filmets Badalona Film Festival: https://www.festivalfilmets.cat/
Gollut Festival: https://www.festivalgollut.com/ 
Lasal festival periodisme y fotografía: https://lasalfest.com/