Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 10th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 10th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 30th September to 26th October 2023.
Article Source: Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival
Last Updated: 11 September 2023 12:49
Full programmme announced today!
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) welcomes film fans from all over Scotland to its 10th edition. The festival is delighted to offer cinema screenings and cultural events featuring a total of 17 films, including seven debut features from Spain and Latin America, offering something for all ages and tastes. This anniversary edition will take place across Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh and Inverness from the 30th September until the 26th October.
This year, ESFF devotes a special section in its programme to commemorate the Spanish transition to democracy, the historical period between 1975 and 1982 also known in Spain simply as La Transición. We start with Carlos Saura’s quintessential Raise Ravens (1976), one of the best examples of cinema made during this historic period. It also serves as a posthumous tribute to the legacy of the Spanish director who passed away earlier this year.
We continue our exploration of La Transición with contemporary titles from up-and-coming Spanish directors. Alberto Rodríguez explores the collective fight for a general amnesty for Franco-era prisoners in Prison 77 (2022). Silvia Munt justifies the fight for feminist activists in the Basque Country, and the awakening of lesbian love, with In the Company of Women (2023). Alejandro Marín similarly conveys the discrimination faced by the first openly queer activists in Andalusia with a comic twist in his feature film debut The Craziest Love (2023). All these films celebrate the spirit of resistance and resilience of post-Francoist Spain that lives on through today’s plural and multicultural Spanish society.
Following our commitment to showcase emerging filmmakers from Spain and Latin America, we are pleased to introduce Avelina Prat with Vasil (2022), a comedy centred on a Bulgarian immigrant in Valencia, and Álvaro Gago with the female-led, working-class drama Matria (2022) based on the coast of Galicia. From Peru we have Víctor Checa and his unexpected steampunk sci-fi The Shape of Things to Come (2022), and from Bolivia Alejandro Loayza and his contemplative rural drama Utama (2022). Our last film debut, and the festival’s closing title, is 20,000 Species of Bees (2023) by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren, a poignant drama centred on a trans child’s quest for identity and acceptance in the Basque Country.
This year’s programme includes an unprecedented spotlight on the sexual life of a person with cerebral palsy with Fernando Franco’s The Rite of Spring (2022), a drama that also involves a surprising sense of humour. You can also find great examples of contemporary Spanish comedy with Stories Not To Be Told (2022), the latest ensemble-led hit from established auteur Cesc Gay, and Not Such An Easy Life (2023), a tale of a family with a lost, mid-live crisis father, by up-and-coming director Félix Viscarret.
Our audiences will also be thrilled with a second chance to catch three of the most recent Spanish commercial and critical hits: Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s powerful rural thriller The Beasts (2022), Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s debut film, the poignant family drama Lullaby (2022), and Fernando León de Aranoa’s sharp corporate satire The Good Boss (2021). Parents and their children will also be able to enjoy the latest Spanish family hit The Kids Are Alright 2 (2022) directed by Inés de León.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Professor Nuria Capdevilla (director) will present three new shorts from her ongoing project CartasVivas which showcases the memories of twentieth-century Spanish women whose lives and work have remained largely unrecognized. On this occasion the shorts revolve around three Spanish women who were ardent defenders of women’s education and who had to flee Spain at the start of the Spanish Civil War.
We are proud to host a creative writing masterclass by Ignacio Martínez de Pisón, one of the most prolific writers on the Spanish transition. The subject of writing stories embedded in historical contexts. This will be followed by a screening of Backroads (1997), adapted from Pisón’s homonymous novel by the author himself and directed by Spanish auteur Emilio Martínez Lázaro.
In collaboration with the Cervantes Chair, an extension of the Cervantes Institute in Manchester at the University of Edinburgh, we will host a Wine Tasting event featuring a selection of six wines from prestigious Galician company Bodegas Martín Códax.
Marian A. Aréchaga, Director ESFF said:
“I am thrilled to be presenting the 10 anniversary of this Film Festival bringing the best of Spanish and Latin American film titles to Scotland. It has been, and is an incredible experience to share thoughts, views and ideas with directors, colleagues, students and wonderful interpreters who make the whole thing possible."
For more detailed information about the films see: https://www.edinburghspanishfilmfestival.com/en/
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, the Spanish Embassy in London, the University of Edinburgh, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and Screen Scotland.
Screening and Event Locations:
Edinburgh: Institut Français Écosse / French Institute of Scotland (W Parliament Square), Odeon (118 Lothian Rd), Central Library (George IV Bridge)
Glasgow: GFT (12 Rose St)
Stirling: Macrobert Arts Centre (University of Stirling)
Inverness: Eden Court Cinema (Bishops Rd)
Tickets:
Films: full price (£10), concession (£6)
Wine Tasting: full price (£35), concession (£28)
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Edinburgh and the Lothians Best takes home Prestigious Prizes at the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards
Top butchers and bakeries in Edinburgh and the Lothians’ have claimed a variety of much sought-after prizes at the prestigious 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival announces industry partnership with UNIFIED
Edinburgh International Film Festival and newly formed production outfit UNIFIED have today announced they are partnering on a special strand of events as part of the industry programme.
READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons
Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MORE
Guide Dogs go for a walk on the wild side at Edinburgh Zoo
Two puppies in training to become guide dogs enjoyed a visit to Edinburgh Zoo as part of a new collaboration between Guide Dogs and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival Celebrates Record Breaking Youth Participation with 25 Years of Art of Listening Workshops
This year the Edinburgh International Festival’s flagship workshop Art of Listening celebrates 25 years of bringing live classical music to schoolchildren across Edinburgh.
READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
Rooftop vibes return to Edinburgh city centre
Skyline Sips, Edinburgh’s most exciting rooftop venue, is back for its third year at Level 5, St James Quarter.
READ MORE
A Landmark Year for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo gives audiences an exclusive look behind the drawbridge of its landmark 75th Anniversary Show, The Heroes Who Made Us.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
May and June at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Music to Father's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in May and June!
READ MORE
Here & Now showcase returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Here & Now returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ith a brilliant programme of the best dance, installation, integrated performance, movement and theatre being created in England right now.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 to open with acclaimed SORRY, BABY by Eva Victor
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced Eva Victor’s acclaimed comedy-drama SORRY, BABY will open the Festival in August.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cold Town House in Edinburgh partners with Aperol to transform iconic rooftop bar
Cold Town House in the Grassmarket has teamed up with Italy’s iconic orange bittersweet aperitif, Aperol, to add some spritz to its city centre location from May until September.
READ MORE
Major new displays at National Galleries Scotland: Modern One this summer
Discover some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art at Modern One this Summer with a series of free ARTIST ROOMS displays in Edinburgh from 12 July 2025.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Giant Lanterns are back with a splash at Edinburgh Zoo!
For the first time in six years, Edinburgh Zoo is bringing its Giant Lanterns event back with a splash this winter.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes
Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORE
Gilded Balloon announce 40th anniversary programming
One of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s most iconic venues, Gilded Balloon, has announced a huge roster of legendary names to celebrate its 40th anniversary this August.
READ MORE
Conifox Champions Allergy Inclusion for Families
Allergy Awareness in Action as Conifox Adventure Park sets a new standard for safe family days out.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Skerryvore castle concert capacity grows due to global demand
A special one-off event celebrating the 20th anniversary of beloved Scottish band Skerryvore is getting even bigger, organisers have announced.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival announces expanded The Front List series for 2025
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is delighted to announce the second year of The Front List, in partnership with Underbelly.
READ MORE
Fat Hippo fans prepare for the ultimate CheezHIT
Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in as Cheez-It® and Fat Hippo announce the ultimate collaboration.
READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15
To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MORE
This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!
Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links