Special Events
Don't forget to visit the city links in the top navigation and select your city for specific information.
HIGHLIGHTS
OPENING NIGHT
The gala opening night film selection of 2011 Festival is the critically acclaimed comedy drama BALADA TRISTE DE TROMPETA (THE LAST CIRCUS). Garnering 15 nominations at the 2011 Goya Awards and winner of the Best Director and Best Screenplay prizes at the 2010 Venice Film Festival, Alex de la Iglesia’s latest wild and twisted film is sure to appeal to fans of dark humour and bravura moviemaking.
FESTIVAL CLOSING NIGHT GALA
The highly anticipated horror/thriller, LOS OJOS DE JULIA (JULIA’S EYES) starring the wonderful Belen Rueda, will close the 2011 Festival and keep you firmly on the edge of your seat for the entire night.
Q&A MEET THE FILMMAKERS!
Join us for international and national, local film critics and cinema experts to discuss selected sessions and answer your questions. More information on this year’s festival guests.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Hermano
Q&A screenings with writer Rohan Jones
Melbourne based Rohan Jones, writer and development producer of Hermano will attend the festival for Q&A sessions following screenings of this powerful and highly acclaimed film about two poor brothers in Caracas who see their football talent as a way to a better life. Hermano is also a film that is making a difference, UNICEF has partnered with the production company in Venezuela to screen it in poor urban communicates to help encourage discussions about violence prevention in these areas. Rohan Jones is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts.
Melbourne, Saturday 14 May - 6.30pm at Kino Cinemas
Sydney, Tuesday 17 May - 6.30pm at Palace Norton St
Brisbane, Sunday 29 May - 2.15pm at Palace Centro
Chico and Rita
Special Presentations by co-director Tono Errando
Tono Errando directed the magical Chico and Rita together with Oscar winning Fernando Trueba and Spain’s leading designer Javier Mariscal – aka the three caballeros. He is one of the four siblings working at Barcelona’s Studio Mariscal. With a background in music, film and animation, he leads the audio-visual side of the multi-disciplinary creative company, and was the logical choice to connect the creative energies of Trueba and Mariscal. At the festival he will do a special presentation following screenings of Chico and Rita, where he will demonstrate on the big screen and explain some of the magic behind this unique film that is a combination of hand drawn animation and CG effects.
Sydney, Saturday 21 May - 1.15pm at Chauvel Paddington
Melbourne, Thursday 19 May - 6.45pm at Palace Como
Anything You Want
Q&A screenings with director Achero Mañas
Intelligent and emotionally compelling drama Anything You Want stars Juan Diego Botto (Go Away From Me, SPFF 2007) as single parent Leo, who finds himself having to be both mother and father to his young daughter. This contemporary drama about a single father bringing up a child becomes a searching and slightly subversive inquiry into gender roles, parenting and machismo. This is the third feature from acclaimed director Achero Mañas, following November (2003), which won the FIPRESCI (Critics) prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, and El Bola (2000), his first feature which won 4 Goya awards, including Best Film.
Melbourne Friday 13 - 7.00pm at Palace Cinema Como, hosted by film critic for The Sunday Age, Tom Ryan.
Spain is one of the world leaders in animation. This year, LAS ADVENTURAS DE DON QUIJOTE (THE ADVENTURES OF DON QUIXOTE) will delight kids as a humble mouse interprets his own funny and charming version of the story written by Miguel de Cervantes.
SCHOOL SCREENINGS
The Spanish Film Festival is offering some special sessions of THE ADVENTURES OF DON QUIJOTE and PAPER BIRDS (Pájaros de Papel) for schools. For further info/bookings email us
DESTINO AUDIENCE AWARD
Vote for your favourite Festival film.
Last but not least… Don’t forget to visit the best cafes and restaurants and enjoy tapas with Authentic Spanish Chorizo Confit Manolete.
