Manila, Philippines – The PELÍCULA>PELIKULA Spanish Film Festival is back for its 23rd edition, celebrating the best of Spanish and Latin American cinema. Organized by Instituto Cervantes, the Festival will run from October 5 to 13, 2024, at the Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, with a dynamic lineup of films and special events throughout the opening weekend.
The Festival kicks off on October 5 with the highly anticipated screening of Pablo Berger’s award-winning animated film Robot Dreams at 7:30 PM. This heartwarming film tells the story of a lonely dog who orders a robot to be his companion. The film, which premiered at Cannes and was shortlisted at the latest Oscar Awards, has garnered critical acclaim. Prior to the opening film, audiences can enjoy the screening of Fuenteovejuna at 4:30 PM, a film adaptation of Lope de Vega’s iconic play.
On October 6, the festival offers a free animation workshop for Kids with Spanish filmmaker Mario Torrecillas at 10:00 AM. This will be held at the grand atrium of Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong.
On October 6, the screenings kick off with Carmen at 2:30 PM, a flamenco-infused adaptation of Merimée’s classic tale, where the passionate Carmen’s quest for freedom clashes with her lover Don José’s jealousy. At 5:00 PM, 7 mesas de billar Francés follows Angela, who revives her late father’s billiard hall while navigating personal loss and financial challenges. The day concludes with La llegada (Upon Entry) at 7:30 PM, a tense drama about a couple detained at Newark airport and interrogated by border agents who suspect they may be hiding something.
Audience members are invited to enjoy the festival’s bonus program: for every 5 films attended, they will receive exclusive merchandise from Instituto Cervantes de Manila. Film lovers can collect stamps on their Película ballots at each screening to earn their rewards!
And the coming week is also promising! On Monday, October 7, at 1:00 PM, Mario Torrecillas will deliver his talk From Comics to Film, which will discuss his work as a comic author and his experience of adapting comics to cinema. And then, at 2:30 PM, he will present the film Loli Tormenta (2023), of which he wrote the script.
On October 8, Tuesday, don’t miss the Q&A session with Luis Roca and Marta de Santa Ana, the director and producer of the documentary Benito Pérez Buñuel, who will engage in a discussion with She Andes, a documentary filmmaker from Mapúa University School of Media Studies. This is an exciting opportunity to explore the nuances of documentary filmmaking and engage with the creative minds behind the work.
The 23rd edition of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA is presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, Embajada de España en Filipinas, Shangri-La Plaza, and Red Carpet Cinemas. The festival is held in collaboration with MTRCB, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Teatro Real, Embajada Argentina en Filipinas, Embassy of Brazil in Manila, Embajada de Colombia en Filipinas, University of the Philippines Film Institute, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, CMB Film Services Inc., University of the Philippines Department of European Languages, Far Eastern University – Institute of Arts and Science, Ateneo de Manila University – Modern Languages, Meridian International College, CIIT College of Arts and Technology, Mapua University School of Media Studies, i-Academy Makati, Asia Pacific Film Institute, Kinoise PH, and SINEGANG PH. The Festival is proudly sponsored by Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc., Arthaland, Ayala Corporation, BOYSEN, Fundador, Terminal Six, and Barcino.
All screenings are free of charge, and films will be shown in Spanish (or their original language) with English subtitles.
For more information and updates on the festival, including the full schedule, please visit the Instituto Cervantes de Manila website or follow them on Facebook.
