The Gijon International Film Festival (Nov 23-30) and the Valencia Mediterranean Film Showcase (Oct 18-25) have both unveiled the first details of their forthcoming editions.

Continuing its focus on international independent cinema, Gijon is planning retrospectives of Spanish director Jose Luis Guerin, New York filmmaker Richard Kern and Japanese director Seijun Suzuki.

In addition, the festival has announced a new section titled "New Cinemas" (Nuevos Cines) dedicated to the screening and discussion of obscure works which influenced some of the great film movements of the century. This year' s section will be devoted to Britain's Free Cinema movement.

Valencia will offer tributes to Spanish filmmakers Jaime de Arminan, Chicho Ibanez Serrador, Carles Mira and the recently deceased actor Paco Rabal, as well as retrospectives on actor Antonio De Curtis and directors Mario Monicelli and Andre Techine. The festival's "Ultramarinos" section, dedicated to non-Mediterranean films, this year will highlight current Mexican cinema. Finally, the new Cine Traca section is dedicated to cult films.