23rd PELÍCULA Spanish Film Festival: Here’s Your Last Chance!

As the 23rd PELÍCULA>PELIKULA Spanish Film Festival enters its final weekend, moviegoers are invited to catch the remaining films from October 11 to 13, 2024, at the Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza. The Festival, which has celebrated Spanish and Latin American cinema over the week, will wrap up with a dynamic lineup of films, including the highly anticipated Audience Choice Awards on the final day.

Earlier this week, the Festival presented the Asian premiere of Benito Pérez Buñuel on October 8, 2024. The screening was followed by Q&A session moderated by Mapúa University professor and filmmaker Sheryl Andes, with the film’s producer Marta de Santa Ana and director Luis Roca. The documentary explores the life and influence of Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel and Spanish writer Benito Pérez Galdós, and the audience had the opportunity to dive into the creative process behind the film. The filmmakers shared their insights on Galdós and Buñuel's legacy and their passion for bringing this project to life.

In addition to the films, the Festival also held a Post-Production Workshop with filmmaker Mario Torrecillas on October 8 & 9 at iAcademy Nexus Makati. The workshop was attended by 12 students from leading universities such as iAcademy, Mapúa, CSB, MINT, APFI, and CIIT, who gained practical knowledge of the stop motion animation and post-production process. Torrecillas guided the students on offering useful hands-on experience.

As PELÍCULA>PELIKULA draws to a close, the final weekend kicks off on Friday, October 11, with a special screening of Puan, courtesy of the Embassy of Argentina. Directed by María Alché and Benjamín Naishtat, Puan explores in a comedic way the rivalry between two University professors of Philosophy, offering a satirical look at academia.

On Saturday, October 12, audiences can catch the last screening of the animated film Robot Dreams by Pablo Berger, as well as Casa en llamas, a dark comedy directed by Dani de la Orden. Casa en llamas follows Montse, a woman determined to reunite her estranged family for a weekend at the Costa Brava, leading to a chaotic but humorous series of events. The day also features Rioja, tierra de los mil vinos (Rioja, A Land of Thousand Wines), a documentary exploring Spain's renowned wine region.

By Sunday, October 13, the festival will feature the En Corto short film series. This year’s lineup includes Transients, presented by Kyla Romero, Aunque es de noche by Guillermo García López, Primetime Mother by Sonny Calvento, and La Sixtina by Juan Camilo Fonnegra. The festival will conclude with the screening of La Estrella Azul and the announcement and screening of the Audience Choice Awards.

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 at https://manila.cervantes.es or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.