The Spanish Film Festival Is Perfect Entertainment for Lovers Of World Cinema

The Spanish Film Festival returns this year with a selection of the finest 30 films from Spain and Latin America.

The Opening Night movie is a light-hearted comedy called Samana Sunrise which stars Maria Luisa Mayol and Barbara Santa-Cruz. Hilarious situations arise when two couples celebrate their twenty-year friendship at a hotel. What could possibly go wrong?

Spanish love to party so expect the opening night party of the year!

“Spanish people know how to celebrar and our Opening Nights capture that spirit perfectly. Expect a fiesta of film, food, and fun, with a vibrant crowd, Spanish wine, and live entertainment. It’s a chance to soak in the culture and kick off the festival with colour, music and joy,” enthused Benjamin Zeccola, Festival Director and CEO of Palace Cinemas.

For festival attendees who enjoy thrillers, the closing night film Nine Queens (which scored 92% on Rotten Tomatoes) should be of interest. The movie was produced in 2000 and has been remastered in 4K – a perfect screening to celebrate the film’s 25th  anniversary.

Spanish have always produced good cinema but over the past few years the industry has been thriving owing to an increase in production values.

“Spanish cinema has always been strong on storytelling, but in recent years the polish, scale and technical artistry have reached new heights. You now see genre-spanning productions that rival anything coming out of Hollywood or France, with bold visuals, refined scripts, and knockout performance,” Zeccola explained.

But he added there is a difference between Spanish cinema and that of other major film producing European countries.

“Spanish cinema has a unique emotional honesty—it’s raw, sensual, often daring, and always human. While French films may lean cerebral and Italian ones romantic, Spain offers a striking balance of heart, humour and political edge. It’s unpredictable, and that’s what keeps audiences coming back.”

Comedies are always a favourite at film festivals and May I Speak With The Enemy and The Bus of Life! should prove to be box office hits.

“Wolfgang is a warm, offbeat crowd-pleaser with plenty of heart and music—a great choice for teens and up. Babies Don’t Come With Instructions, starring Paco León, blends comedy and heartfelt moments with some mature themes, though it’s still a very accessible and rewarding watch.”

Mugaritz. No Bread, No dessert has aptly been described as a ‘delicious documentary’ and offers audiences a fascinating insight into the two Michelin star restaurant Mugaritz, which is regarded as one of the best restaurants globally since 2006. On arrival to this special event audiences will have a taste of Spain, with drinks and tapas included.

Marco, The Invented Truth is a holocaust themed film based on a wild true story about a charismatic man who told the world he was a concentration camp deportee from Spain. Did he spend time and see unimaginable horrors in these Nazi concentration camps or was he merely a good storyteller?

Zeccola concluded by saying that anyone who wants some escape and entertainment should attend this Spanish Film Festival.

“If you love movies, culture, languages or  just a damn good story. Whether you’re a seasoned film buff or just curious to try something new, this festival is for you. It’s a celebration of life with all the laughter, love, loss, and everything in between served with tapas, wine, and soul.”

Zeccola’s Spanish Film Festival Top Picks

Electrophilia – From Lucía Puenzo, this haunting, cerebral thriller is genre-bending and visually stunning.

Samana Sunrise for an amusing and moving friends’ holiday to Santo Domingo in the Caribbean! A Sliding Doors type of rom-com.

The Quiet Maid – Sharp, stylish, and satirical—a modern look at class and desire, with an unforgettable lead performance.

El Jockey– because you can’t miss Ursula Cordero (Tokyo from Money Heist) in this tense, character-driven thriller set in Buenos Aires with noir undertones and a pounding heartbeat!

The Spanish Film Festival is on from June 19 – July 9, screening at all Palace Cinemas.