Instituto Cervantes underscored the importance of presenting diverse voices and perspectives through cinema as it unveiled the 25th edition of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA: Manila Spanish Film Festival during a conference in Manila.

Instituto Cervantes director Francisco Javier López Tapia said the festival seeks to go beyond a single narrative by bringing together films from Spain, Latin America and the Philippines, creating opportunities for audiences to encounter different stories and perspectives through cinema.

“We don’t want to just tell a single story,” López Tapia said, emphasizing the festival’s role in promoting cultural exchange through film.

During the open forum, López Tapia was asked what makes Spanish films resonate with Filipino audiences. He cited comedies and melodramas as among the deeply ingrained common ground shared by Filipino and Spanish audiences, particularly in the way stories and emotions are portrayed.

The festival’s 25th edition will feature 23 films spanning dramas, documentaries, classic films and animated features. The main program will run from 5 to 11 October at Power Plant Cinema 2, following a special four-film marathon at Instituto Cervantes’ Intramuros branch on 4 October.

H.E. Peru Ambassador Carmen del Rocío Azurín Araujo also delivered remarks during the conference, highlighting the importance of cultural exchanges in strengthening ties between the Philippines and the Spanish-speaking world.

Beyond film screenings, the festival will also feature talks, workshops and concerts, including activities that bring together Filipino and Spanish-speaking artists and filmmakers.

The 25th edition of PELÍCULA>PELIKULA runs from 4 to 11 October 2026, offering Filipino audiences a broader look at cinema and storytelling from across the Spanish-speaking world.