Sixteen historical titles will be included in the Essentials section of the Sevilla European Film Festival, which celebrates the centenary of Andrzej Wajda, the acclaimed director known for films such as 'Man of Iron'. This year also features a retrospective of Armenian filmmaker Artavazd Pelechian, who is regarded as the father of distant editing.
The Sevilla City Council has announced that, once again, the festival will complement its competitive programming with non-competitive sections that provide a multifaceted showcase of what European cinema has to offer. From the historical titles in the Essentials section to contemporary productions represented in Special Screenings, the festival highlights a stylistic and conceptual range that reflects the diversity of perspectives within European culture.
Retrospectives of Andrzej Wajda and Artavazd Pelechian
Essentials has become a staple of the Sevilla Festival, celebrating the cultural legacy of cinema as a fundamental pillar for new generations of film enthusiasts and creators. This year, the festival notably marks the centenary of Andrzej Wajda's birth (1926-2016). A central figure in Polish cinema, Wajda's films documented the political and social evolution of his country, reflecting on its national identity, particularly the scars left by World War II and Stalinism. His work embraced a humanism that achieved universal recognition, earning him accolades such as an honorary Oscar in 2000, as well as the Golden Lion and Golden Bear for his lifetime achievements.
In Sevilla, seven of Wajda's most significant films will be screened, in collaboration with the Polish Institute. This selection includes early works like 'Generation' (1955), which marked his feature film debut, 'The Death Squad' (1957), and 'Ashes and Diamonds' (1958). His consolidation period in the 1970s and 1980s produced notable titles such as 'The Promised Land' (the first film for which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1975), and two films depicting the struggle of the Solidarity trade union: 'Man of Marble' (Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1977) and 'Man of Iron' (a spiritual sequel released in 1981, featuring Lech Walesa playing himself). The selection is rounded off with 'Danton' (1983), a critical look at the French Revolution starring Gérard Depardieu.
Another significant retrospective will focus on Armenian director Artavazd Pelechian, whose works have recently been restored in 4K, marking a major highlight for cinema in 2026. At 88 years old, Pelechian is known for his innovative editing style and often blurs the lines between documentary and fiction, imbuing the everyday with depth and extracting poetry from reality, typically eschewing dialogue in favour of music and sound effects. His films explore themes such as collective memory, nature, and humanity beyond traditional narrative cinema. The restoration project for his short films, the format he has predominantly worked in, was initiated by Coproduction Office in collaboration with the Cineteca di Bologna, under Pelechian's supervision. Titled 'The Pelechian Project', it will feature a significant portion of his filmography divided into two sessions.
This edition of Essentials will include sixteen titles, among which is the restored version of Luis Buñuel's comedy 'The Illusion Travels by Tram' (filmed in Mexico in 1954, with a script by Mauricio de la Serna, Juan de la Cabada, José Revueltas, and Luis Alcoriza).
José Luis López-Linares and Simon Verhoeven in Special Screenings
Nearly forty titles will be featured in this year's Special Screenings, including fifteen world premieres. Among these is 'We The Hispanos', the new documentary by José Luis López-Linares, which highlights the significance of Hispanic heritage in the past and present of the United States, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The film uncovers a hidden legacy that continues to shape the music and art of the country today, tracing its origins to the present day. This documentary follows the path initiated by López-Linares with 'Spain, the First Globalisation' (2021) and 'Hispanoamérica, Song of Life and Hope' (2024).
Another notable national premiere is 'La casa de mis abuelos' by Simon Verhoeven, one of the most successful directors and screenwriters in contemporary German cinema, who draws inspiration from the classic comedies of Ernst Lubitsch and Billy Wilder. Based on the bestselling autobiography of actor and writer Joachim Meyerhoff, Verhoeven's latest film tells the story of a 20-year-old unexpectedly accepted into the prestigious drama school in Munich. To attend, he moves to the villa of his eccentric grandparents, whose strange rituals run parallel to the outrageous challenges of acting classes as he attempts to find his place in the world.
Premiere of the sixth season of 'The Chosen'
Special Screenings will also feature the premiere of the sixth season of the globally successful series 'The Chosen', with the first two episodes being presented. The premiere will be attended by two of its main actors, Vanessa Benavente and Abe Bueno-Jallad, who will participate in the presentation of this new season, exploring the historical events of the last day of Jesus Christ and offering the audience a chance to learn more about the production before its official release in Spain. With over 300 million viewers worldwide, 'The Chosen', produced by 5&2 Studios, has established itself as one of the major international phenomena in historical fiction in recent years. This sixth season focuses on a single day: the final hours of Jesus, covering events from Judas's betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane to Jesus's appearance before Pontius Pilate and the events leading to his crucifixion. The season preview will be screened at Cartuja Center CITE on 11 November, with the sixth season, comprising six episodes, premiering on acontra+ on Tuesday, 17 November, with the release of the first two episodes. Following this, a new episode will be available every Tuesday, and the story will continue in cinemas with an independent feature film, 'The Chosen: Crucifixion'. Canal Sur, a collaborating media partner of the festival, will premiere the first two seasons of 'The Chosen' in December, bringing this successful international series closer to the Andalusian audience.
Agnieszka Holland inaugurates the alliance with the 'la Caixa' Foundation
In its 23rd edition, the Sevilla European Film Festival has partnered with the 'la Caixa' Foundation for the first time to create new spaces for engagement around cinematic creation. As a result of this collaboration, the CaixaForum Sevilla auditorium will host three screenings of particularly significant titles, accompanied by discussions and talks with prominent figures in directing and acting, allowing the public to gain insight into the creative processes and diverse perspectives that shape films. This initiative aims to extend the cinematic experience beyond the screen, fostering dialogue between professionals and audiences and exploring various dimensions of cinema: from the career of a key filmmaker in the European landscape to the intricacies of acting and the ability of cinema to address social and moral conflicts.
The cycle will open on Thursday, 5 November, with filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, who will receive the Honorary Giraldillo at this year's festival and is a leading figure in the new wave of Polish cinema, contributing a politically charged filmography. Titled 'A Life in Cinema', the veteran director and screenwriter will engage in a conversation with the audience after they enjoy a screening of her most acclaimed film, 'Europa, Europa' (1990). Based on true events, the film tells the extraordinary story of Solomon Perel, a young Jewish man who survives the Holocaust by hiding his identity and posing as a German youth. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, written by Holland based on Perel's autobiography, and won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.
On Monday, 9 November, 'Hugo' by French director Pascal Bonitzer will be screened. The film portrays the life of Robert Zucchini, a veteran theatre actor passionate about Victor Hugo's work, who faces loneliness and difficulties in his personal relationships after shining on stage. Fabrice Luchini plays the actor, but the audience will instead be joined by one of Spain's great actors, Antonio Dechent, who will invite the public to delve into the intricacies of the acting profession: character construction, the obsessions that accompany acting work, the relationship between life and the stage, and the contradictions of a profession that balances public exposure and intimacy.
Finally, on Friday, 13 November, Spanish actor José Coronado will lead a conversation before the screening of 'Tu hijo'. This dramatic thriller, directed by Miguel Ángel Vivas in 2018, was primarily set and filmed in Seville and earned Coronado nominations for the Goya, Feroz, and Forqué awards. With this film, Vivas shifted away from the horror genre that characterised much of his earlier work to explore a story marked by violence, helplessness, and the limits of justice. He has also made a prominent mark on television, directing series such as 'Mar de plástico', 'Apaches', and 'Vivir sin permiso', as well as the first episodes of the first season of 'La casa de papel'. After the screening, Vivas will conclude this cycle with a dialogue with the audience.
