Although the summer movie season is already drawing to a close, there are still opportunities to make the most of its final stretch. As has been the case every September for the past five years, a very special film series has returned to Madrid and Barcelona this month: “CSIC de Cine.” In addition to being held outdoors, the screenings are free (admission also includes water and popcorn) and accessible to people with disabilities.
The films in this edition of “CSIC de Cine” in Madrid are recent and have won major awards. They address issues such as Alzheimer’s, the stigma associated with Tourette syndrome, and historical memory. In addition, the screenings are preceded by panel discussions featuring researchers; thus, the series gives viewers the opportunity to explore the themes of the feature films in greater depth from different perspectives.
The first screening took place on September 11, and the next ones will be held on Fridays, September 18 and 25, at 8:00 p.m. on the steps of the CSIC’s central campus in Madrid, which, interestingly, has also served as a setting for numerous films and “ ” series (such as *La Casa de Papel*, in which the facade of the CSIC headquarters stood in for the National Mint and Stamp Factory).
Below, we’ll explain how to attend the “CSIC de Cine” screenings in Madrid and what the lineup is for its fifth edition.
How to attend the “CSIC de Cine” screenings
To attend the “CSIC de Cine” screenings, you must reserve a spot through the CSIC’s Eventbrite page. Reservations are free and can be made starting at 10:00 a.m. on the Monday before each screening:
- Starting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 14, for *Incontrolable*.
- Starting at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21, for *La cena*.
Although the meet-and-greet with the research staff before the screening begins at 8:00 p.m., doors will open at 7:30 p. m. After 8:00 p.m., admission to the screening will be permitted. The screenings themselves will begin shortly after 9:00 p.m.
Seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be a last-minute line for those without a pre-booked ticket (reservations for this Friday’s session, the 14th, are already sold out), although admission will depend on the number of available seats. The total capacity for the screenings in Madrid is 410 seats.
Access to the CSIC’s central campus is located at 123 Serrano Street, near the República Argentina ( L6), Gregorio Marañón (L10 and 7), and Nuevos Ministerios (L6, 8, 10, and connection to the Cercanías commuter rail) metro stops.
Sign language interpreters and live subtitles will be available during the pre-screening sessions. The venue will feature an induction loop for those who use hearing aids, and the films will also include accessible subtitles in Spanish and self-description receivers available to attendees. People with disabilities who need to use any of these services can get answers to their questions and request tickets by emailing inclusion@csic.es.
The films featured in this edition of “CSIC de Cine”
September 18: Uncontrollable ( 2025)
This British film, starring Robert Aramayo and directed by Kirk Jones, is inspired by the life of John Davidson, who was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at age 15. The film tells the story of how Davidson managed to overcome the challenges stemming from his disorder— characterized by motor and vocal tics—and the stigma it brought him. Aramayo won the BAFTA for Best Actor at the 2026 awards.
In the upcoming talk, neuroscientist Ignacio Obeso will discuss research related to the disorder and its impact on the lives of those affected by it. Two content creators with Tourette syndrome will also participate : Jordi Rodríguez Moreno and Alicia González Mayoral. Both this event and the one on Friday, September 25, can also be viewed on the CSIC Divulga YouTube channel.
September 25: The Dinner (2025)
Based on a play by José Luis Alonso de Santos and directed by Manuel Gómez Pereira, *La cena* is a comedy starring Alberto San Juan and Mario Casas and set two weeks after the end of the Civil War. In it, Republican prisoners are forced to prepare a dinner in honor of Franco at the Hotel Palace following the victory of the rebel forces. At the most recent Goya Awards, *La cena* won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Before the screening, historian Gutmaro Gómez Bravo and science historian Ana Romero de Pablos will discuss historical memory and the consequences of the Civil War and the dictatorship. This period of repression also saw the regime dismantle the scientific modernization project of the Board for the Expansion of Scientific Studies and Research, the predecessor institution of the CSIC.