Pelicula>Pelikula: Spanish Film Festival to feature 23 films

The 25th edition of “PELÍCULA>PELIKULA,” the Manila Spanish Film Festival, will showcase 23 films from Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines from October 4 to 11 at PowerPlant Mall Cinema 2 in Makati City.

Organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the silver anniversary edition continues the festival’s mission of bringing Spanish-language cinema closer to Filipino audiences. Since its establishment in 2002, the festival has grown into a major platform for Spanish-language films in Southeast Asia, presenting everything from new releases and documentaries to classic films, animation, and shorts.

Among the Spanish titles are “Los domingos,” “We the Hispanos,” “El desencanto,” and the animated feature “L'Olívia i el terratrèmol invisible.”

The festival will also present Premios Goya on Tour to Manila through a partnership with the Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. The program features seven recently awarded Spanish productions: “Sirāt,” “Maspalomas,” “La cena,” “La habitación de al lado,” “Los Tigres,” “El cautivo,” and “Mariposas negras.”

The selection also highlights contemporary cinema from Latin America, including Brazil’s “Cyclone;” Argentina’s animated “Gigantes, una aventura extraordinaria” and comedy “Mensaje en una botella;” Costa Rica’s “Tengo Sueños Eléctricos;” and Peru’s “Vino la noche.”

Philippine cinema will also be represented through “En corto: Short films from the Philippines, Latin America, and Spain.” Scheduled for October 11, the program brings together five short films from the Philippines, Chile, Spain, and Mexico.

Representing the Philippines are “Agapito” by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero,  and Gabriela Serrano’s “Elenita, Elena, Elaine.” They will be screened alongside the Chilean short “Voz de trompeta,” Spanish production “Gilbert,” and Mexican film “¡Abre las piernas!”

All five shorts will be screened on October 11. All festival screenings are free, with films presented in their original languages and accompanied by English subtitles.

Beyond the film screenings, “PELÍCULA>PELIKULA” will also feature other artistic activities, including lectures, workshops, and music performances.

The Audience Choice Award returns as one of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA’s longstanding traditions, giving festivalgoers the chance to vote for their favorite film after each screening. The winning film will be screened again during the closing ceremony.

PELÍCULA>PELIKULA 2026 is a project of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and AECID Philippines, in collaboration with various cultural, academic, government, and film organizations.