PELÍCULA>PELIKULA Returns for its Silver Anniversary
PELÍCULA>PELIKULA celebrates 25 years of Spanish-language cinema in Manila.
Words Art+ Magazine Team
Photos courtesy of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA
September 30, 2026
Still from the film Gigantes, Una Aventura Extraordinaria
PELÍCULA>PELIKULA, the Manila Spanish Film Festival, marks its 25th anniversary this October with a week-long celebration of Spanish-language cinema from the Philippines, Spain, and Latin America.
From October 4 to 11, 2026, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, together with the Embassy of Spain, AECID Cultura, and its partner institutions, will bring the festival to Instituto Cervantes’ Intramuros branch (Casa Azul) and Power Plant Cinema in Makati City.
Founded by Instituto Cervantes in 2002, PELÍCULA>PELIKULA has become a major annual showcase for Spanish-language filmmaking in Southeast Asia. Its 25th edition will feature 23 films, spanning contemporary releases, documentaries, animation, classics, and award-winning productions from across the Spanish-speaking world and the Philippines.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
The festival’s 25th-anniversary poster takes its inspiration from a photograph by acclaimed Spanish artist García de Marina. The image features a mannequin wearing two masks—one facing forward and another looking back.
Still from the PELÍCULA>PELIKULA Press Conference Event
The concept reflects the festival’s own journey over the past quarter-century. As García de Marina describes it, one mask looks toward “the past 25 years,” while the other looks toward “the future,” capturing the anniversary as both a moment of reflection and a point of departure.
To commemorate the milestone, PELÍCULA>PELIKULA is also introducing the Galardón XXV Aniversario (XXV Anniversary Award). The new distinction recognizes a film professional whose work has made a significant contribution to strengthening cultural and cinematic ties between the Philippines and the Spanish-speaking world.
For its inaugural presentation, the festival will honor Filipino actor Ronnie Lazaro.
The Official Selection
The festival’s main program runs from October 5 to 11 at Power Plant Cinema 2. Before the official opening of the main program, audiences can get an early taste of this year’s selection through La Previa, a special four-film marathon on Sunday, October 4, at Instituto Cervantes’ Intramuros branch.
All screenings are free of charge.
The Official Selection brings together an eclectic range of films and genres. Highlights include the drama Los domingos (Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, 2025), the documentary We the Hispanos (José Luis López-Linares, 2026), the Spanish classic El desencanto (Jaime Chávarri, 1976), and the animated feature L’Olivia y el terremoto invisible (Irene Iborra, 2025).
Premios Goya on Tour
In collaboration with the Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España, this year’s festival will also host Premios Goya on Tour, a special section featuring seven recently awarded Spanish productions.
The lineup includes Oliver Laxe’s Sirāt (2025), Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi’s Maspalomas (2025), Manuel Gómez Pereira’s La cena (2025), Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door (2024), Alberto Rodríguez’s Los Tigres (2025), Alejandro Amenábar’s El cautivo (2025), and David Baute’s Mariposas negras (2024).
different perspectives and cinematic traditions from Latin America. These include the Brazilian drama Cyclone (Flavia Castro, 2025); the Argentine animated adventure Gigantes, una aventura extraordinaria (Gonzalo Gutiérrez, 2024); the Argentine comedy Mensaje en una botella (Gabriel Nesci, 2025); Costa Rican drama Tengo sueños eléctricos (Valentina Maurel, 2022); and Peruvian film Vino la noche (Paolo Tizón, 2024).
Encuentros en el cine: En corto
Strengthening connections between Philippine and Spanish-speaking cinema remains central to PELÍCULA>PELIKULA’s mission. That spirit takes center stage in Encuentros en el cine: En corto, a program bringing together five short films from the Philippines, Latin America, and Spain.
The selection features the Philippine shorts Agapito (Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero, 2025) and Elenita, Elena, Elaine (Gabriela Serrano, 2025), alongside Chilean short Voz de trompeta (Pilar Smoje Gueico and David Monarte Serna), Spanish production Gilbert (Arturo Lacal, Alex Salu, and Jordi Jiménez, 2024), and Mexican filmmaker Águeda V. Flores’ ¡Abre las piernas! (2025).
The five films will screen together on October 11 at 5:00 p.m.
The Audience Has the Final Say
One of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA’s longest-running traditions returns this year with the Audience Choice Award.
Still from the Filipino short Elenita, Elena, Elaine
Following each screening, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite film. Introduced in 2004, the award has become one of the festival’s most beloved traditions, with the winning film receiving a repeat screening during the closing ceremony.
All films will be presented in their original languages with English subtitles.
More Than Movies
The 25th edition extends beyond the cinema with a program of talks, workshops, and musical performances.
The festival will officially open on October 2 at Ayala Museum with Musika ng Pelikula, a concert by Merienda Jazz inspired by memorable soundtracks and musical themes from Spanish cinema.
Still from the Filipino short Agapito
On October 6 at 1:00 p.m., film historian Nick Deocampo will present a talk at Power Plant Cinema 2 examining Spanish influences on Philippine cinema.
Mexican artist Juan Pablo Chipe will also lead a series of film-inspired art workshops using modeling clay and collage. Participation is free, although spaces are limited.
Registration and further information are available through the following links:
For more information about the festival, visit the official Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1060389459705609
PELÍCULA>PELIKULA 2026 is a project of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and AECID Philippines, in collaboration with the Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Film Academy of the Philippines, National Book Development Board, Intramuros Administration, QCinema, Quezon City Screen Commission (Screen QC), the Embassy of Argentina in the Philippines, the Embassy of Brazil in the Philippines, the Embassy of Chile in the Philippines, the Embassy of Peru in the Philippines, Power Plant Cinema, Ayala Museum, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Mapúa University, MINT College, CIIT, FEU Manila – Institute of Arts and Sciences, UP Diliman Department of European Languages, UP Círculo Hispánico, UP Film Institute, the UST Department of Modern Languages, and SOFA Design Institute. The festival is sponsored by Acciona, Boysen, and Fundador.
