Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival

Singular, independent and fresh—this is the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival, held every April at different venues across the capital of Gran Canaria.

In its early years, the festival welcomed stars such as Sophia Loren, Faye Dunaway, Susan Sarandon, Catherine Deneuve, Ed Harris, Alain Delon and Gérard Depardieu—some of whom even left their footprints at the foot of the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus. After more than 25 editions, the festival now shines a spotlight on a different kind of star: creators of innovative works, far removed from the most commercial circuits.

Many of them took their first steps here before going on to achieve success and recognition at the world’s most prestigious festivals. This is the case of directors such as Asghar Farhadi, Brillante Mendoza, Jia Zhangke, Joel Coen, Kim Ki-duk, Gan Bi, Guy Maddin and Rita Azevedo Gomes.

Events such as La Noche + Freak, featuring long late-night sessions dedicated to fantasy and horror cinema; the Camera Obscura series, with silent films accompanied by live music; showcases of works by Canarian filmmakers; themed film cycles; and a wide range of parallel activities related to the seventh art make this festival a unique opportunity to enjoy cinema on the big screen.

The festival’s awards are reproductions of Lady Harimaguada, the iconic sculpture by Martín Chirino that welcomes visitors arriving at the city from its southern entrance.