Suffering
and
passion

The digital Zoom space crackled with vitality as I entered into dialogue with Héctor Ayuso, the enigmatic architect of OFFF Barcelona. A kaleidoscope of colours and textures enveloped the screen, framed posters and paintings forming a vibrant backdrop. Amidst this visual symphony, a towering bouquet of flowers emerged behind Héctor's silhouette, imbuing the scene with an air of whimsy and sophistication. The mere mention of Jean Eustache's La maman et la putain hinted at Héctor's cinematic background and suggested the unconventional conversation that lay ahead. Despite the virtual distance, our connection was established with the familiar query of “Can you see me?” And there he was, a smiling, charismatic figure with arms adorned with intricate tattoos, ready to embark on our dialogue.

“Hey, just a few weeks until OFFF 2024 is about to start. What's cooking in your creative cauldron?” I probed, diving straight into the whirlwind.

“Ah [long pause], a lot”, Héctor replied in excitement and anticipation. “Currently, we're putting the final brushstrokes on our accompanying books for the fair—three versions, each a story waiting to unfold.” (Every attendee receives a book as a takeaway from the conference.) And next year? “Well, let's just say the 25th-anniversary edition promises to be epic.”

As the conversation unfolded, I found myself captivated by Héctor's boundless passion and unorthodox approach, hanging on his every word. “Routine? I don’t have one, every day is different”, he shot back, his smile flashing like a neon sign. “Today? A blur of cycling for a normal 3-hour ride, and running a marathon this upcoming Sunday because I’m gearing up for an Ultraman challenge. A marathon is just a normal run for me.” 

“So, you're all about pushing boundaries?” I pressed. “Absolutely”, Héctor affirmed. “Suffering and passion—it's the fuel that ignites the creative inferno within.” As we continued, he revealed himself to be more of an introvert, but one that then chose a life of being constantly surrounded by people, creating events in huge venues; his wry claim that it must be about the suffering was accompanied by a gentle smile.

Our conversation veered towards Héctor's cinematic influences. His eyes ablaze with memories, he confessed, “Cinema's my guiding star. It's the heartbeat of everything I do, whether it's directing, designing, or curating OFFF. And when I'm teaching as a guest professor, it's all about embracing the past and the future: the raw power of Super-8 cameras, say, or scribbling lineup ideas in my trusty analogue notebook. The power of storytelling? It's limitless. That is what I dedicate my life to. To watch something, to rewatch something. When I'm obsessed with a movie, I can easily watch it a hundred times.”

Intrigued by his perspective, I probed deeper. “How does your cinematic background shape OFFF?” “It's all about narrative”, Héctor explained. “OFFF is a playground of storytelling, a sanctuary for the wild imaginings of the soul. It's the basis of everything.”

As we dived into past editions and his most memorable moments of the past 23 years, Héctor regaled me with tales of past editions, each anecdote a testament to the transformative power of design. “OFFF isn't just a festival—it's a huge family reunion”, he declared. His stories were peppered with examples of designers and directors that met at OFFF, started their own companies and succeeded. One thing emerged very clearly: there is no silo thinking at OFFF. “The person next to you could be your new sparring partner.”

Looking into the future, I asked whether he could consider handing over his microphone to someone else one day. An idea he utterly rejected. “It's like my family, and I couldn’t give them up either. As long as Pere or I don’t wake up with a feeling of ‘that’s it, we’re done’, we’ll continue.”

Eager to unearth more, I prodded further. “What if cinema hadn't been your calling?” “Honestly? I'd probably be running my mum's supermarket”, Héctor confessed. “Back in my hometown near Valencia, it was the hub of all gossip and camaraderie. If I hadn't followed this path, I'd be holding court at the checkout.”

Héctor's passion was contagious, his spirit a beacon of creative power in a world too often stifled by convention. With a sense of gratitude for this infusion of inspiration and power, I am excited to visit this upcoming festival.