Spanish-Language Films to Screen for Free at ‘Película’ 2023

This article is available in Spanish.

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 30 films will be screened for free at the 22nd edition of “PELÍCULA>Pelikula” or simply “Película,” a Spanish film festival hosted by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, on Oct. 5–15. Of the 30 selections, 23 films, which are in Spanish, will be shown at Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas, and seven will be screened online in the Philippines, Singapore and Australia.

This year’s edition of the film festival features an environmental segment called “Película en Verde,” an initiative in which a tree will be planted for every viewer who watches any of the films labeled as such. These films are “Alcarràs,” “As bestas,” “El Olivo,” “Fonos” and “Tierra,” all of which deal with nature and environmental issues. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with local and international nongovernmental organizations.

The festival will also pay homage to Carlos Saura, a celebrated Spanish filmmaker who passed away at the age of 91 earlier this year. He will have a special section with his films such as “Embrujo,” “Goya en Burdeos” and “El Rey de todo el mundo.”

The festival will also include films from Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico, as well as a Spanish-Mexican co-production.

All of the films have English subtitles and are in Spanish or their original language. The schedule are as follows:

Viewers, as in previous years, can vote for their favorite films in the Audience Choice Awards. The winning film will be shown again on the festival’s final day, Oct. 15.

“Película” has been an annual celebration of Spanish-language cinema since it was founded by the Instituto Cervantes de Manila in 2002. It features the most recent and critically acclaimed films from film directors from Spain and Latin American countries.