From 6 to 15 March, Spanish and Ibero-American cinema in the heart of the city.
Every year, Málaga becomes one of Spain's most vibrant cultural hubs thanks to the Málaga Film Festival — an event celebrating cinema in the Spanish language that brings together productions, professionals and film lovers from around the world. This year, the festival's 29th edition takes place from 6 to 15 March 2026, cementing its status as an unmissable date in the cultural calendar of the city and the country.
What is the Málaga Film Festival?
Founded in 1998, the Festival de Málaga is dedicated to promoting Spanish and Ibero-American cinema. For ten days, the city becomes a meeting point for filmmakers, actors, producers and audiences enjoying premieres, special screenings, tributes and debates on the latest in Spanish-language film.
The festival celebrates feature films and shorts, and also includes sections for documentaries, animation and experimental work — reflecting the full diversity of contemporary cinema.
Dates, venues and highlights
Dates: 6 to 15 March 2026. Main venues: Teatro Cervantes, Teatro Echegaray, Cine Albéniz and Villa del Mar (La Malagueta).
Over these ten days, more than 260 titles from over 70 countries will be screened — fiction features, documentaries and short films, with Spanish and Ibero-American productions taking centre stage. Alongside the screenings, the festival offers parallel activities: exhibitions, meet-the-filmmaker sessions, special seasons and debates on current trends.
Sections and activities not to miss
- Official Section. Screenings of the most anticipated features, with casts and crews in attendance.
- Zonazine. The space for more avant-garde work exploring innovative storytelling in contemporary cinema.
- Documentaries and shorts. A place to discover new voices, from emerging filmmakers to established names.
- Cinema Cocina. A section blending gastronomy and film, where culinary experiences meet the audiovisual language.
- MAFIZ (Málaga Festival Industry Zone). The festival's professional area, including Málaga Work in Progress — supporting Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American projects — and the Spanish Screenings Content market for programmers and sales agents.
How to attend
Tickets for screenings and events are available through the festival's official website and physical box offices at the Teatro Cervantes and Cine Albéniz, with different formats and prices depending on the session or gala.
Tip: some sessions have limited capacity — especially the galas and most popular premieres — so booking ahead is recommended. Box offices usually open ahead of the festival and throughout the event at each venue; check specific times on the official site.
Why it's unmissable
The Málaga Festival isn't just cinema: it's a cultural experience combining art, social life and a celebration of the audiovisual. For residents and visitors it's a unique chance to:
- See premieres before they reach regular cinemas
- Attend talks and debates with directors and professionals
- Experience the city full of life and culture at the very start of spring
- Enjoy Málaga landmarks like the Teatro Cervantes and Cine Albéniz in festival mode
The Málaga Film Festival 2026 (6–15 March) is essential for lovers of Spanish cinema and Ibero-American culture. Beyond the screenings, it offers a complete experience of creativity, industry and community in one of the most beautiful settings in southern Spain. Whether you come for the premieres, to discover new films or simply for the cultural atmosphere — Málaga lives cinema like few places in Europe, and March is the month to experience it.
Planning to stay nearby? Fuengirola is 35 minutes from the city by train — browse our holiday rentals for festival week.
The GR Estates Team
The best experiences on the Costa del Sol
Written with AI assistance and reviewed by the GR Estates team before publication. AI transparency
