Isla Calavera Film Festival Expands to La Palma Ahead of 10th Anniversary

The Isla Calavera Canary Islands Fantastic Film Festival is expanding its reach this year, moving beyond its usual home in Tenerife to host a special event on the island of La Palma. On October 17, the festival will visit the Teatro Cine Chico in Santa Cruz de La Palma—a venue recognized by the festival in 2025 for its commitment to preserving local cinema history.

This event, organized in partnership with the Royal Canary Academy of Sciences, serves as a preview for the festival’s tenth anniversary edition, which runs from November 6 to 15, 2026. Starting at 8:00 p.m., the theater will screen James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day to celebrate its 35th anniversary. The screening, arranged with the help of Wilder Cinema, will be followed by a discussion on the film’s lasting impact. Organizers will also use the evening to share new details about the upcoming festival’s guests and programming. Tickets will be available at the theater box office starting October 9.

The festival is also celebrating a major milestone: the DIARIO DE AVISOS Foundation has named Isla Calavera a recipient of the 2026 Taburiente Award. This honor, which recognizes projects with significant social and cultural impact, will be presented on October 29 at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna.

Since its launch in 2017, Isla Calavera has become a key player in the Spanish film scene and a member of the Méliès International Festivals Federation. The festival is a joint effort by the Charlas de Cine Cultural Association, Multicines Tenerife, and Tumbaabierta.com. It is primarily sponsored by the La Laguna City Council, with additional support from the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and Canary Islands Film. By expanding its activities to new locations, the festival continues to strengthen its role as a vital cultural force in the region.