Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival: ´Maspalomas´ + ´Karmele´ + ´Gaua´
Euskara. Kultura. Mundura.
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07Oct 202609Oct 2026
Edinburgh (Scotland)
Basque cinema will be featured in the 13th edition of the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival with the support of the Etxepare Basque Institute. To be held in Edinburgh from 1 to 19 October, the festival will include Basque Window, a strand dedicated to Basque cinema, featuring three films: Maspalomas, directed by Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi; Karmele, by Asier Altuna; and Gaua, by Paul Urkijo.
Supported by the Etxepare Basque Institute, the initiative aims to raise the international profile of Basque cinema and encourage encounters between Basque filmmakers and international audiences. This year, director Asier Altuna will present his film in Edinburgh and take part in a discussion with the audience.
´Maspalomas´ (Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi, 2025)
Vicente, a 76-year-old man, is enjoying a life of freedom in Maspalomas after separating from his partner. An unexpected accident forces him to return to San Sebastián, where he moves into a care home and decides to conceal his sexual orientation. The film explores identity, ageing and the freedom to be oneself.
Screened on 9 October at Edinburgh Filmhouse.
´Karmele´ (Asier Altuna, 2025)
In 1937, Karmele and her family are forced to flee to France because of the war. In exile, she becomes involved with a group promoting Basque culture and meets Txomin, a trumpet player with whom she falls in love. The film weaves together love, exile and resistance.
On 7 October at the Institut français in Edinburgh, with director Asier Altuna in attendance.
´Gaua´ (Paul Urkijo, 2025)
Set in the Basque mountains during the witch hunts of the 17th century, the film follows Kattalin as she flees her husband in the middle of the night. In the forest, she encounters legends and supernatural presences. The film blends Basque mythology, horror and fantasy.
On 8 October at Filmhouse in Edinburgh and Glasgow Film Theatre.
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival aims to bring contemporary Spanish and Latin American cinema to international audiences. Its programme showcases a wide range of genres and perspectives and includes filmmaker discussions and other cultural activities alongside film screenings.
The 2026 edition will also bring screenings to other cities in Scotland and England. Organised in collaboration with the Etxepare Basque Institute, the Basque Window strand offers audiences an opportunity to discover the diversity of contemporary Basque cinema through three distinctive films.
