The 23rd edition of the PELÍCULA>Pelikula Spanish Film Festival, organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, concluded successfully after a dynamic week of Spanish and Latin American cinema at the Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-LaPlaza. With over 6,500 attendees, the festival ran from October 5 to 13, 2024, offering a rich selection of different kinds of films and events that captivated Filipino viewers.
The closing weekend saw strong audience engagement, with back-to-back full-house screenings. The Festival wrapped up on 13 October with the awarding of the Premio del Público (Audience Choice Award), which went to Dani de la Orden‘s Casa en llamas (2024). The film, a dark comedy about a woman’s determined yet chaotic attempt to reunite her family, captured viewers’ hearts. The movie has made waves in the cinematic world, bagging several national awards and becoming the highest-grossing Catalan film of all time. The recognition that this film has received underscores the importance of supporting and promoting such works, as they reflect the cultural mosaic of Spain and highlight the unique narratives that each region brings to the cinematic landscape.
Casa en llamas
Several other films garnered significant audience support and were recognized as runner-ups, including El maestro que prometió el mar, Loli Tormenta, La llegada, Cerrar los ojos, Robot Dreams, Te estoy amando locamente, Puan, Pacarrete, and La estrella azul. Each film added depth to the festival’s lineup, reflecting the diverse stories and perspectives from Spain and Latin America.
Kyla Romero
On the last day of PELÍCULA, the Festival organisers also celebrated the success of its En Corto series, a space for cultural interaction, where local filmmaker Kyla Romero presented her short film Transients alongside her cast and crew. This series offered a platform for short films that picture different facets of the human experience. Included in the line up were: Aunque es de noche by Guillermo García López (Spain), Primetime Mother by Sonny Calvento (Philippines), and La sixtina by Juan Camilo Fonnegra (Colombia).
As the festival concludes with the publication of the official Closing video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enLb-3pGITM), audiences can look forward to the 24th edition of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA, scheduled for the first week of October 2025, continuing its tradition of showcasing the best in Spanish and Latin American cinema.
The 23rd edition of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA has been presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, Embajada de España en Filipinas, Shangri-La Plaza, and Red Carpet Cinemas. The festival has been 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.
