A celebration of culture and cinema
From comedies to thrillers and a superb biopic, passionate storytelling is at the heart of the Spanish Film Festival.
The 2025 HSBC Spanish Film Festival is set to dazzle Australian audiences from 11 June to 9 July with a vibrant line-up of 30 must-see films from Spain and Latin America.
Screening across Palace Cinemas nationwide, the festival promises an immersive journey through diverse cultures, gripping true stories, and award-winning storytelling.
Kicking off the cinematic celebration is the Opening Night film Samana Sunrise, a breezy comedy featuring a star-studded cast including Luis Tosar and Luis Zahera. Set in a Dominican beach resort, it captures the chaos and comedy of friendship, secrets, and unexpected revelations.
The Festival’s Centrepiece is El 47, a sweeping biographical drama that won five Goya Awards, including Best Film. Directed by Marcel Barrena and starring Eduard Fernández, the film recounts a peaceful protest in 1970s Barcelona that became a pivotal moment in the city’s history.
Also sharing the Best Film accolade at the 2025 Goyas is Undercover (La infiltrada), a gripping thriller based on the real-life infiltration of terrorist group ETA by a courageous female police officer.
Romantic epic Ocho and The Goldsmith’s Secret, adapted from Elia Barceló’s acclaimed novel, bring sweeping love stories to the screen, while satirical class drama The Quiet Maid, executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, adds a fresh and provocative voice.
Comedy lovers can look forward to hits like Wolfgang Extraordinario, a heartwarming father-son tale, and Babies Don’t Come with Instructions, a raucous take on unexpected parenthood. Feel-good favourites such as The Bus of Life and May I Speak with the Enemy offer laughs with a dose of sentiment.
Latin American cinema is strongly represented in the Cine Latino selection, with standout entries including Argentinian drama Mazel Tov, Uruguayan tango tale Milonga, and Peruvian coming-of-age story Through Rocks and Clouds.
Documentary fans will relish The Flamenco Guitar of Yerai Cortés and Mugaritz: No Bread, No Dessert, both offering rich insight into Spanish music and cuisine.
The festival will close with a 25th anniversary 4K restoration of the Argentinian classic Nine Queens, a fitting tribute to the legacy of Spanish-language cinema.
Running in cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra, the 2025 HSBC Spanish Film Festival is set to inspire, entertain and transport audiences. Full dates, program details, and tickets are available at www.spanishfilmfestival.com.
