The HSBC Spanish Film Festival presented by Palace returns 13 June – 7 July with a fiesta of films awaiting. The curated line- up, the festival’s largest yet, featuring films from Spain and Latin America and will screen at Palace Cinemas Raine Square, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX Fremantle. The six films announced today offer the first delicious taste of the festival.

This year’s festival Centrepiece is THE TEACHER WHO PROMISED THE SEA (El Maestro que Prometió el Mar), which recently won the Audience award at the 2024 Gaudí Awards. The acclaimed drama stars Enric Auquer (the lead from last year’s festival hit Two Many Chefs) and Laia Costa, and tells the true story of Antoni Benaiges, a teacher who brought progressive teaching methods to a small village in 1930s Burgos.

Featuring in the New Spanish Cinema selection is JOKES AND CIGARETTES (Saben aquell), directed by multiple Goya Award winner David Trueba. The drama stars a transformative David Verdaguer as Eugenio, the famous chain-smoking Catalan comedian of the 1960s and 70s, known for his deadpan delivery, tinted glasses and trademark black attire. A special festival preview of this film will take place one week prior to the opening of the festival.

The 2024 Special Presentation is a collection of films that encapsulate the themes of ‘Female Liberation, Sexuality and Empowerment’ including UN AMOR and VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS (Vera y el placer de los otros). A striking drama from prolific director Isabel Coixet, UN AMOR stars Laia Costa and Hovik Keuchkerian as new neighbours in a village in rural Spain who become entangled in a web of passion. VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS is a comedic and erotic tale about growing up, that follows 17-year-old Vera, as she divides her days between volleyball, school, and a secret hobby: listening to other people’s pleasure.

The Cine Latino selection includes a quietly powerful coming- of-age drama A RAVAGING WIND (El viento que arrasa), that explores a young woman’s path to change her fate. This Argentinian gem is from acclaimed writer/director Paula Hernandez.

From Mexico, comes UPON OPEN SKY (A cielo abierto), about three siblings who embark on a tense journey of revenge. The searing, morally thorny tale is set in early 1990s Mexico, from a screenplay by legendary Mexican scriptwriter Guillermo Arriaga.

See www.spanishfilmfestival.com for more information

This competition has now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered.