MANILA, Philippines - It’s a triple treat for film buffs as Instituto Cervantes de Manila brings back Película, the biggest annual Spanish Film Festival in Asia, at chosen venues in Metro Manila from Sept. 29 to Oct. 11.
Due to the past successes of its first seven seasons, organizers have lengthened the film festival to 14 days, with three different venues in Makati, Pasay and Manila. Several cultural events have also been calendared, in line with the theme of this year’s festival: “Locos por el cine” or “Adik sa Pelikula.”
Opening this year’s festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Sept. 29 is an exhibit on Filipino filmmakers by renowned Spanish photographer Oscar Orengo. Featured in the exhibit — the first of its kind in the country — are local directors and actors from different generations like Eddie Romero, Peque Gallaga, Brilliante Mendoza, and Lav Diaz, among others.
That same day, will also be inaugurated at the CCP a selection of Filipino and Spanish documentaries. It will be followed by a dance performance by the Danza Vertical group who will display their world-class production to local audience.
On Oct. 1, Película will kick off at Greenbelt 3 featuring multi-awarded films such as El truco del manco (The One-handed Trick), Camino (The Way), Los girasoles ciegos (The Blind Sunflowers), Rotorno a Hansala (Return to Hansala), and 3 Días.
Other films include El Nido Vacío (Empty Nest), a comedy that explores the gap that occurs when children grow up and move away from home; and La Zona (The Zone), a film about a wealthy compound surrounded by walls and surveillance system to protect the locals against the violence of the slums.
Película is organized by Instituto Cervantes, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, AECID, Ministerio de Cultura of Spain, Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation, Greenbelt, Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Special thanks to Qatar Airways, the official airline of Película. Other sponsors are Alba Restaurante Español, Barcelo Café, Espafil, Spot.ph and Event Ads Magazine.
For information, call 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es or www.pelicula.ph. Instituto Cervantes de Manila is located at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.