Dive into Spanish cinema (and more) with this year’s ‘Película>Pelikula’ lineup - Rappler

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You know that feeling when you’re itching to watch a movie, but end up spending 30 minutes scrolling through your streaming platform instead? Now, imagine having 23 movies to choose from – in the cinema, on top of that. 

Welcome to PELÍCULA>PELIKULA, a celebration of the 25 years of the Manila Spanish Film Festival. This year’s edition brings together films from Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines that range from dramas and documentaries to animation, comedy, and shorts.

Running October 4 to 11, you can catch the (free!) screenings at Instituto Cervantes Intramuros on October 4 and Power Plant Cinema 2 from October 5 to 11. Films are shown in their original languages and with English subtitles.

If 23 titles feel like homework, here’s your cheat sheet: pick a film based on what you’re in the mood for.

Start with Los domingos (2025), a Spanish drama directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa. The film follows 17-year-old Ainara, whose life and beliefs are thrown into question, making it a good pick if you like coming-of-age stories that leave you with something to think about after the credits.

The film is also one of the most recognized titles in this year’s lineup, earning the most nominations at Spain’s 40th Goya Awards. 

Another option is Maspalomas (2025), which explores identity, aging, and the possibility of starting over. The film is part of the festival’s Premios Goya on Tour, a special selection of seven recent Spanish productions presented in partnership with the Spanish Film Academy. 

The Room Next Door (La habitación de al lado) follows Ingrid and Martha, two old friends who reconnect after years apart. As they spend time together, they find themselves confronting illness, complicated relationships, and difficult choices.

Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, the film stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton and is part of the festival’s Goya-focused selection. And if you’ve never seen an Almodóvar film before, this could be a good place to start.

For a more visceral movie night, try Sirāt, directed by Oliver Laxe.

The film follows a father and his son as they search for the son’s missing sister in Morocco, eventually becoming involved with a group of ravers traveling through the desert. It is one of the seven Goya titles in the festival and was among the most-nominated films at the 40th Goya Awards. 

If that darker mood is what you’re after, keep going with Los Tigres, directed by Alberto Rodríguez, another Goya selection.

L’Olívia i el terratrèmol invisible (Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake) brings 12-year-old Olivia into a new neighborhood after her family is forced to leave their home. With the help of friends and a little adventure, she learns to navigate a major change in her life.

For a story filled with action and fantasy, Gigantes: una aventura extraordinaria brings three friends together on a mission to save their town from a devastating storm.

Both are part of La Previa, a four-film marathon kicking off on October 4 at Instituto Cervantes Intramuros, alongside Mensaje en una botella and Mariposas negras.

PELÍCULA>PELIKULA, by the way, isn’t limited to Spain. The lineup also includes Brazil’s Cyclone, Argentina’s Mensaje en una botella, Costa Rica’s Tengo sueños eléctricos, and Peru’s Vino la noche.

If you want to explore Spanish-language cinema from different countries, cultures, and perspectives, these are worth checking out. 

Don’t skip “Encuentros en el cine: En corto”, the festival’s showcase of five short films from the Philippines, Chile, Spain, and Mexico.

The Filipino shorts in the roster  include Agapito, a film following bowling alley pin setters that’s being campaigned for Oscars 2027 consideration, and Elenita, Elena, Elaine, a visually experimental short that was previously screened at this year’s Cinemalaya. The program also includes Chile’s Voz de trompeta, Spain’s Gilbert, and Mexico’s ¡Abre las piernas!

The shorts screen on October 11 at 5 pm, offering a mix of Filipino and international perspectives.

From family and friendship to identity, migration, history, adventure, and more, ‘Película>Pelikula’ has plenty of stories to discover. You don’t need to speak Spanish to enjoy Spanish cinema. 

Check the full schedule on Instituto Cervantes de Manila’s Facebook page,  and see where your chosen film takes you. – Rappler.com

This piece was written by Rappler volunteer Betina Andrea Santiago. Betina is a visual storyteller whose work centers on childhood nostalgia and pressing social realities. She enjoys exploring how visual media can drive empathy and is eager to use cinema to spark meaningful dialogue. A graduating Film major from the University of the Philippines Diliman, she aims to produce human-centered stories that give voice to everyday communities.