This weekend, Madrid's Plaza Mayor will transform into an open-air cinema to kick off Platino Clásicos, the first international festival dedicated to classic and restored cinema from Ibero-American culture. The inauguration will feature free screenings of two iconic Spanish films: The Executioner, directed by Luis García Berlanga, and Cría Cuervos, by Carlos Saura, which will be shown on Friday and Saturday respectively.
An unprecedented cultural event
The screenings are open to the public until capacity is reached and will include musical performances and an introductory talk before each film. This event marks the beginning of an initiative driven by the Community of Madrid alongside the Audiovisual Rights Management Entity (Egeda), the Ibero-American Federation of Cinematographic and Audiovisual Producers (Fipca), and the Platino Awards.
The main objective of the festival is to promote the preservation and dissemination of Ibero-American cinematic heritage in Spanish and Portuguese. The Community of Madrid has highlighted that this initiative aims to position the region as an international benchmark for the preservation and exhibition of restored works.
Among the planned actions are the promotion of recovered films, as well as the dissemination of information about audiovisual restoration processes. Additionally, collaboration with film libraries and cinematographic archives, both national and international, will be encouraged to ensure that relevant cinematic works are adequately preserved.
Starting next year, the festival will expand its programming. From June 2027, activities are expected to extend over several days in different cultural spaces within the Community of Madrid. A gradual participation from cinemas, cultural institutions, educational centres, and other iconic venues is also envisaged.
The intention is to make Madrid a focal point for debate on film history through a variety of activities aimed at diverse audiences. The programming will not only include restored films but also activities related to the conservation of audiovisual heritage.
In addition to the film screenings, Platino Clásicos will offer a parallel series focused on outreach and training. This will include talks, meetings with creators, masterclasses, exhibitions, and even presentations on international projects dedicated to film restorations.
The festival also plans educational initiatives aimed at students and researchers in the audiovisual sector. Musical events related to the world of cinema are expected to complement this rich cultural offering.
“The proposal aims to bring together professionals linked to audiovisual heritage in Madrid,” said a spokesperson for the Regional Government.
With this ambitious project, Madrid seeks not only to celebrate its cinematic legacy but also to educate the public about the crucial importance of preserving our audiovisual memory. Through the access provided by these free screenings, the organisers hope to foster greater interest in cultural heritage among citizens.
As Platino Clásicos moves towards its future expansion, it is clear that this festival represents a unique opportunity to revitalise interest in classic cinema while ensuring its preservation for future generations.
You may also like
