June and July is ¡Viva España! and ¡Viva Latinoamérica! time in Australia – the 2025 Spanish Film Festival is here. ¡Hurra! Starting from June 11, 30 top films from Spain and Latin America will be screened at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas in nine cities around the country.
The 2025 festival selection includes the two films that, unusually, were joint winners of the Best Film award at Spain’s Goya Awards ceremony in February 2025: El 47/The 47) and Undercover. As well as the showcase movies, there’s a New Spanish Cinema section of seven films, five Spanish Comedies, and 10 films in the Cine Latino section, including one in Portuguese from Brazil. Think of it as Sportuguese night. The official trailer gives an enticing taste of what’s to come.
The Spanish film festival is entering its 27th year now, and the 2025 edition promises to be eventful … extremely eventful! Just look how many fun nights have been organised.
Opening and closing nights celebrations
Opening Night Fiestas (drinks, tapas and music before the film, followed by an after party) in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, $69 for members, $79 general admission. The opening night film is Amanece en Samaná/Samana Sunrise, a comedy about two Spanish couples whose 20th friendship celebrations go awry in Samaná in the Dominican Republic.
Opening Night Receptions (as above but without the after parties) in Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Byron Bay, $49/$60.
Opening Night Bebidas (with a glass of wine, sparkling wine or mocktail on arrival) in Brisbane, Melbourne, Ballarat and Sydney, $28/$33.
Centrepiece Film Premieres (with a glass of Spanish wine or a mocktail prior to a special screening of the Centrepiece Film El 47/The 47) in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Ballarat, Brisbane, Sydney and Byron Bay, $28/$33.
Closing Nights (with a glass of wine, sparkling wine or mocktail prior to the 25th anniversary screening of the fantastic thriller Nueve Reinas/Nine Queens) in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Byron Bay. $28/$33.
Carnivals in Canberra
The place to be over the course of Australia’s 27th Spanish Film Festival is the national capital, Canberra. Especially if you you like South American food and wines. There are four special events at the Palace Electric Cinema.
Peruvian Night, June 12: Enjoy a drink, Peruvian snacks and entertainment before a special screening of Raíz/Through Rocks and Clouds, presented by the Peruvian Embassy. $28/$33. I wonder if the drinks will be Picsco Sours.
Uruguayan Night, June 17: Enjoy a glass of wine and Uruguayan snacks before a special screening of Milonga, presented by the Uruguayan Embassy. $28/$33.
Spanish Centrepiece Premiere, June 18: Enjoy a drinks and tapas before a special screening of the Centrepiece Film El 47/The 47, presented by the Spanish Embassy. $28/$33.
Argentinian Night, June 17: Enjoy Argentinian wines and tapas before a special screening of the Centrepiece Film Lo Que Quisimos Ser/What We Wanted To Be, presented by the Argentinian Embassy. $28/$33.
My Five Romances has already seen El 47 and Lo Que Quisimos Ser – both get the thumbs up; and having holidayed in Peru in 2022 and 2023, we’re looking forward to seeing the stunning scenery of the Peruvian Andes in Raíz (which means root in English – the film explores the stains of mining on agriculture.)
Las Tres Sisters is a test of sisterly love on their camino in the Mexican countryside.
The parties ain’t over yet
In other parts of Australia there are more special events you can look forward to. Mark these in your diaries.
Date Night: On Friday June 20 in Brisbane, Ballarat, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, and on Friday June 27 in Byron Bay and Sydney, you can enjoy a whisky cocktail from The Glendronach or a mocktail before special screenings of romance film El Secreto Del Orfebre/The Goldsmith’s Secret. $28/$33.
A Taste of Spain: On Tuesday June 24 in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane and on Tuesday July 1 in Sydney enjoy drinks and tapas before screenings of the foodie documentary Mugaritz, Sin Pan Ni Postre/Mugaritz. No Bread, No Dessert. $37/$42.
Mexican night: On Friday June 27 in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and on Friday July 4 in Sydney enjoy a tequila cocktail before a screening of adventure documentary Las Tres Sisters. $28/$33.
Donde y cuando? Where and when?
The 2025 Spanish Film Festival runs from June 11 to July 9 (dates vary by city). First out of the starting blocks will be Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, followed by Perth, then Melbourne and Ballarat. Thereafter it’s Sydney’s, Ballina’s and Byron Bay’s turn.
- Canberra, 11 June – 2 July: Palace Electric Cinema
- Adelaide, 11 June – 2 July: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Prospect Cinemas
- Brisbane, 11 June – 2 July: Palace James Street and Palace Barracks
- Perth, 12 June – 2 July: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX
- Melbourne, 13 June – 2 July: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema
- Ballarat, 13 June – 2 July Palace Regent Theatre
- Sydney, 19 June – 9 July: Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema
- Byron Bay, 19 June – 9 July: Palace Byron Bay
- Ballina, 19 June – 9 July: Ballina Fair Cinemas
Photos courtesy of the 2025 HSBC Spanish Film Festival. M5R
