Instituto Cervantes de Manila successfully collaborated with several Metro Manila schools to present the 23rd Película > Pelikula Manila Spanish Film Festival, showcasing over 20 Spanish and Latin American films.
The event, which ran until October 13, 2024, fostered cultural exchange and provided unique learning opportunities for students and audiences.
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The festival partnered with the Asia Pacific Film Institute (APFI), Ateneo de Manila University’s Modern Languages Department, CIIT College of Arts and Technology, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Arts and Sciences, iAcademy, Mapúa University School of Media Studies, Meridian International (MINT) College, and the University of the Philippines Film Institute and Department of European Languages.
A major highlight was the Asian premiere of the documentary Benito Pérez Buñuel on October 8, followed by a talkback session with the film’s director, Luis Roca, and producer, Marta de Santa Ana. Sheryl Andes, filmmaker and Chair of the Digital Film Program at Mapúa, moderated the discussion, where the filmmakers shared insights on the legacies of Spanish icons Luis Buñuel and Benito Pérez Galdós.
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Spanish filmmaker Mario Torrecillas further enriched the festival with a two-day postproduction workshop held at iAcademy Nexus Makati on October 8-9. Twelve students from participating schools gained hands-on experience in stop-motion animation and learned the intricacies of postproduction techniques.
On October 7, Torrecillas screened his film Loli Tormenta at Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinemas and gave a talk titled “From Comics to Film,” sharing his transition from comic book writing to filmmaking. He also conducted a free animation workshop for children at the mall’s Grand Atrium on October 6.
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The event was made possible through partnerships with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, MTRCB, Teatro Real, and several embassies, along with sponsors like Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Ayala Corporation, BOYSEN, and Barcino.
All screenings were free, featuring films in their original languages with English subtitles. Attendees who watched five films received exclusive merchandise by collecting stamps on their ballots after each screening.
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