MANILA -- The PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival will once again grace the screens from October 5 to 13.

Organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the festival will celebrate its 23rd edition, bringing a diverse selection of 25 Spanish and Latin American films to Filipino audiences.

“The themes that we present is more on diversity which is something very Filipino and Spanish. We think that another topic (to relate) is loneliness. There are many films talking about this kind of society which is crowded and always surrounded by people but at the end of the day, you arrive home you are one with your dramas. I think that can also be something as Filipino and very Spanish so we have themes exploring that. Roots are also very present in this film festival we are trying to show them ours (Spanish) through filmmakers, writers,” Francisco Javier López Tapia, director of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, said.

Since its inception in 2002, PELÍCULA has become an annual highlight in the Philippine film scene, showcasing the rich cinematic heritage of Spain and Latin America. This year’s festival promises to deliver an exciting lineup of award-winning films, documentaries, and special programs, continuing its mission to strengthen cultural ties between Spain and the Philippines.

The 2024 edition of PELÍCULA will kick off on October 5 with the screening of “Robot Dreams” (2023), an acclaimed animation directed by Pablo Berger, which has won multiple awards. 

The festival’s Official Selection will feature a wide range of genres, including the latest works from renowned Spanish directors. Notable entries include “Cerrar los ojos” (2023) by Víctor Erice, “La estrella azul” (2023) by Javier Macipe, and the comedy “Casa en llamas” (2024) by Dani de la Orden.

Adding a special touch to the event, screenwriter Mario Torrecillas will personally present his film “Loli Tormenta” (2023), offering viewers an insider’s perspective on the production.

For documentary enthusiasts, “PELÍCULA”  will present engaging titles such as “Rioja, the Land of Thousand Wines” (2023) and “Hispanoamérica, canto de vida y esperanza” (2024), both directed by José Luis López Linares. Another highlight is the documentary “Benito Pérez Buñuel” (2022), exploring the influence of author Benito Pérez Galdós on the legendary filmmaker Luis Buñuel. Director Luis Roca will be present on October 8 to discuss his work.

The festival will also shine a spotlight on Latin American cinema with notable films such as the Argentine comedy “Puan” (2023), co-directed by María Alché and Benjamín Naishtat, the Brazilian film “Pacarrete” (2019) by Allan Deberton, and the Panamanian drama “Las hijas” (2023) by Kattia Zúñiga.

As in previous editions, the Audience Choice Award will return, allowing viewers to vote for their favorite film. Established in 2004, the award has become a popular tradition, with the winning film being screened once again during the festival's closing night on October 13.

In addition to film screenings, PELÍCULA will present “En corto: Short Films from the Philippines, Latin America, and Spain,” which will showcase recent short films from these three regions, providing a platform for emerging filmmakers.

A parallel event, which will take place at Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros, is the exhibition “What's a festival like you doing in a city like this?!”, featuring posters, videos, and memorabilia from past editions of PELÍCULA. The exhibition will run throughout September and October.

For younger audiences, filmmaker Mario Torrecillas will lead a free film workshop for children on October 6, where participants will create their own short video about how they imagine their city. 

“It’s a very very exciting workshop! Let’s see what the kids have to say about Manila,” José Maria Fons Guardiola, cultural head of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, said.

Here’s the complete lineup of movies and documentaries that will be screened starting October 5 at EDSA Shangri-La Plaza:

“Carmen”, “Loli Tormenta”, “Benito Pérez Buñuel”, “El amor brujo”, *El maestro que prometió”, “El público”, “Robot Dreams”, “En corto”, “Fuenteovejuna”, “7 mesas de billar de abejas”, “Hispanoamérica, canto de vida y esperanza”, “Cerrar los ojos”, “La estrella azul”, “Dispararon al pianista”, “Casa en llamas”, “Premio del Público”, “La llegada”, “Te amando locamente”, “Las hijas”, “Pacarrete”, “Puan”, “Rioja, la tierra de los mil vinos”, and “La estrella azul.”