Malaga Film Festival
Every March, Malaga city centre undergoes yet another glamorous makeover, this time for the Festival de Málaga.
Known internationally as the Malaga Film Festival, it’s one of Spain’s most important celebrations of Spanish-language cinema. This event shines a spotlight on the best films from Spain and Ibero-America.
The Festival de Málaga is a 10-day celebration of Spanish-language cinema that transforms the heart of the Costa del Sol into a vibrant cinematic showcase.
More than 200 films are screened at spectacular venues across the city. Principal screening locations include the iconic Teatro Cervantes, Cine Albéniz and additional cultural spaces such as the Picasso Museum. These landmark venues provide the perfect backdrop for premieres, press events and industry gatherings.
Elsewhere in the city centre, Calle Larios and Calle Alcazabilla become focal points of festival activity. These bustling streets often serve as red carpet locations and open-air exhibition spaces, allowing locals and visitors alike to experience the excitement up close.
The festival atmosphere spills out from the theatres into plazas, cafés and terraces. This makes it one of the most accessible film festivals in Europe.
Star-studded opening night
The star-studded opening night, historically attended by some of the biggest names in Spain’s film industry, is one of the highlights.
The opening gala typically takes place at Teatro Cervantes and is broadcast live on a giant screen in Plaza de la Constitución. This ensures that the wider public can share in the glamour and celebration.
Throughout the festival, actors, directors and producers walk the red carpet, generating national media coverage and attracting film fans from across Spain and beyond.
Prestigious “Biznaga” awards
At the heart of the Festival de Málaga is its Official Selection, where around 20 of the best feature-length films compete for the festival’s top prizes.
The most prestigious awards are the “Golden Biznaga” (Biznaga de Oro), presented to the Best Spanish Film and the Best Ibero-American Film. Named after Malaga’s traditional jasmine bouquet, the Biznaga trophy has become a symbol of excellence in Spanish-language cinema.
In addition to the Golden Biznaga awards, the festival presents multiple “Silver Biznaga” (Biznaga de Plata) awards. These recognise achievements in directing, acting, screenplay and other technical and artistic categories.
Separate competitive sections also spotlight documentaries, short films and emerging talent, ensuring that the Festival de Málaga continues to champion both established filmmakers and new voices in cinema.
International and family programming
While the festival’s primary focus is Spanish-language film, it also features non-competitive sections showcasing international productions.
Screenings of selected films from non-Spanish-speaking countries with Spanish subtitles offer audiences the opportunity to discover global cinema yet to be released in Spain.
There’s no need to leave the kids at home either. The festival regularly includes family-friendly and children’s cinema programming, featuring animated films and accessible screenings designed for younger audiences.
The 2026 Malaga Film Festival
The 2026 edition of the festival will take place from 6 to 15 March.
Aside from screenings, several other events, including masterclasses, exhibitions and round-table debates, will take place.
Tickets for film screenings can be purchased online or at the box office on the day of the screening.
An English teacher and part-time writer with a love for literature and culture, Jen first swapped the Scottish gloom for the Spanish sun in 2019 when she arrived in Córdoba for her Erasmus year before moving to Malaga in 2021.