The HSBC Spanish Film Festival, presented by Palace, is an annual celebration of film and culture from Spain and Latin America. In 2023, the festival screens at Palace Cinemas, Luna Palace Cinemas and Palace Nova Cinemas across Australia between 14 June and 12 July.
In 2023, the Festival celebrates 25 years of the best in Spanish and Latin American cinema. Befitting such a milestone, this year’s Spanish Film Festival offers exciting, inspiring and entertaining viewing in two key programme strands: New Spanish Cinema and Cine Latino.
Other festival highlights include a focus on Women in Filmmaking featuring the work of seven prominent Spanish and Latin American female directors; a comprehensive Carlos Saura retrospective; a Uruguayan documentary with an Australian connection and much, much more.
Looking for an enhanced global cinema experience? Head to the Spanish Film Festival website to explore the various Special Events taking place throughout the country, for wine, music, tapas, and more.
Our Pick
Tobacco Barns
Set in the sun-drenched fields of Granada in southern Spain, Rocío Mesa’s debut feature film explores the stories of two characters as they intersect in the region’s tobacco drying barns: a young girl visiting her grandparents from the city and a local teenager disillusioned by rural life. What is particularly impressive is the way Mesa deftly shifts between these two perspectives, exploring themes including the disappearance of traditions and continued urban/rural tensions from two distinct angles. Mesa is part of a generation of Spanish filmmakers exploring the rural social world with a magical realist style that integrates cinematic realism with fantastical elements. Exploring the magic and alienation of childhood in equal measure, Tobacco Barns is a rich and evocative contribution to this growing cannon.
Screenings will take place across Australia within the following dates:
- Canberra 14 June – 5 July: Palace Electric Cinema.
- Adelaide 14 June – 5 July: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
- Brisbane 14 June – 5 July: Palace James Street and Palace Barracks.
- Melbourne 15 June-5 July: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema.
- Perth 15 June – 5 July: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX.
- Byron Bay 15 June – 5 July: Palace Byron Bay.
- Sydney 20 June – 12 July: Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema.
For detailed information please visit www.spanishfilmfestival.com