What we're excited to watch at the upcoming Manila Spanish Film Festival
By Poch Eulalia
At A Glance
- And the best part is, it's all free.
- Now’s your chance to catch these award-winning films in theaters. Returning for its 25th edition, “Película>Pelikula: Manila Spanish Film Festival” is bringing over 23 films. And the best part is, it’s all free. Here’s a glimpse into some of our recommended must-watch titles from the upcoming film festival.
‘Agapito’
Starting off our list is one of the Philippines’ entries vying for the much-desired Oscar nomination. In “Agapito,” we follow the story of pin setters working in a bowling alley. It was one of the contenders for the short films competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. “Agapito” also received an honorable mention for the Best International Short Film award at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Catch this one on the big screen and learn precisely why it’s one of the runners for an Oscar nod.
‘Elenita Elena Elaine’
This local film was a favorite of ours among the short films that screened at the recent Cinemalaya Film Festival. It’s filled with trippy visuals and pretty bisexual lighting, sure to draw your eyes with every scene. It can leave you in a hypnotic trance as you watch, carrying you into a dream-like state as you go through the story.
‘El desencanto (The Disenchantment)’
Centering on the family of poet Leopoldo Panero, this documentary by Jaime Chávarri presents detailed testimonies from his widow and children. Made during a turning point in Spanish politics, the film provides a glimpse into the final years of Spain’s Francoist regime. We learn about their once bougie lifestyles and the somewhat problematic family rifts that come with it.
‘Mariposas Negras (Black Butterflies)’
There are many animated entries to check out this year, but David Baute’s “Mariposas Negras (Black Butterflies)” stands out for its subject matter. We follow three women, Tanit, Valeria, and Shaila, as they try to survive in a world affected by climate change. They are forced to deal with constant drought, flooding, and storms that ravage the areas they live in. It’s a familiar scenario for us Filipino viewers, given that these are the same negative effects brought by climate change that we face on a daily basis.
The Manila Spanish Film Festival is set to take place from Oct. 4 to 11, 2026, at Power Plant Cinema in Makati City.
