Tenerife Spanish Film Festival Returns with Focus on Julio Medem and Aida Folch

The sixth Tenerife Spanish Film Festival has officially established itself as a key event for exploring national cinema. This year, the program highlights the work of filmmaker Julio Medem and the career of actress Aida Folch. Supported by the La Laguna City Council, the Tenerife Island Council, and the Government of the Canary Islands, the festival is organized by the Charlas de Cine Cultural Association, Alda Producciones, and the University of La Laguna. All screenings will be held at Multicines Tenerife in Alcampo, La Laguna, and are free to the public.

The festival celebrates major milestones in Spanish film history. This year’s Honorary Award goes to Julio Medem, a director celebrated for his unique visual style and his ability to weave landscape and symbolism into his storytelling. Attendees can revisit his work on Friday, May 29, with a screening of Tierra (1995), which won two Goya Awards and represented Spain at the Cannes Film Festival. On Saturday, May 30, the festival will mark the 25th anniversary of Sex and Lucía (2001), a landmark film that received eleven Goya nominations and helped launch the careers of its lead actors.

Aida Folch will open the festival on Thursday, May 28, with a screening of The Artist and the Model (2012), directed by Fernando Trueba. Following the film, Folch—known for her versatile work in both film and television—will take part in a discussion to share insights into her performance and the making of the project.

All screenings begin at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited; please pick up an invitation in advance at the cinema box office. Through this curated selection of films, the festival offers a chance to celebrate these artists while reflecting on the evolution of Spanish cinema over the past few decades.