Dear cinema lovers,

It is my pleasure to invite you to the fifth edition of La Mirada Film Festival. Once again, some of the most talented and acclaimed artists in cinema join us as guest curators: the wonderful Ang Lee, Ken Loach and Antonio Banderas. I have to admit that I was particularly thrilled with Ang Lee´s choice, since he is one of my favourite all time directors, and the film he has chosen, although having been screened at La Mirada previously, is one of the most important films in the history of Spanish cinema. Ken Loach is a director who I respect enormously, and whose political stance I personally share. His choice is an important film, that deals with a crucial subject, by a younger director who has been present in the program of La Mirada in a couple of occasions so far. But enough of giving clues!  And what can be said about Antonio Banderas? An actor who has reached an almost iconic status, who has been synonymous of the attractive latin lover for decades and who is present in the works of some of the most interesting directors both in Hollywood and Spain. The film he selected was coincidentally also chosen by Pedro Almodóvar, so it is the only one we have decided to announce before the screening. Their choices are three masterpieces of Spanish cinema, as diverse as their works, and equally interesting. The enormously talented and original Guillermo del Toro regales us with an exclusive section of his favourite mexican films. What a treat to premiere in Australia such amazing films, curated by a remarkable genius. And as always, we do not underestimate the importance of having Pedro Almodóvar as a co-programmer of the festival. Thanks to his impeccable taste and his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema, all these masterpieces are accessible to the Australian audience.

We are living a time of uncertainty, of financial instability and institutional disconcertion, perfect brewing stock for an identity and creative crisis. Instead, some of the most stimulating works of hispanic cinema are being created. A diverse and wide group of filmmakers has emerged, with an unconventional approach to storytelling, more interested in exploring the possibilities of audiovisual language and in exhibiting an unsafe aesthetic perspective, than in becoming part of the mainstream production of films. And what is more interesting, the works of these unconstrained artists, is being recognised, in the most respected film forums all over the world, as the most valuable representation of hispanic cinema. Together with the finest works of this generation of filmmakers, we present the most acclaimed and  lauded big productions from our cinema. Films socially critical, revealing a clear narrative and an extraordinary execution, which exemplify the noteworthy state of the industry of the countries represented in the program.

The popular section Spanish Cuisine on Film  returns this year, with a special guest, the charming Unax Ugalde, who will be joining us also for the Opening Night Gala. And we found another reason to party in the section that Guillermo del Toro put together for us, so there will be plenty of food and tequila during our Mexican Fiesta at La Mirada Lounge.

My favourite films of the year are in this multifaceted program, filled equally with the works of intelligent artists, that push aesthetic boundaries and display social critical thoughtfulness  and commercial high quality cinema represented by side-splitting comedies, political thrillers, love stories and epic adventure films. I have chased the film Medianeras and dreamed with opening La Mirada with it for several years now, since it was just a project on paper. We will be celebrating this and other successes in our renowned lavish and abundant parties.

What we will be truly celebrating though, in a time of higher isolation when people choose to stay home and watch films on dvd or download them from the internet, is the communal experience of sitting  in the cinema and enjoying together these works of art with our discerning audiences once the lights go down.

Rocío García

Festival Director