The Semana del Cine Español Carabanchel, an event that gathers every year creators, professionals and film lovers in the district, already has a return date at the beginning of 2026:its 44th edition will be held from January 15 to 25 and will be in its usual venues -the cultural centers San Francisco La Prensa (Aliseda Street, 4) and Fernando Lázaro Carreter (Calle de la Verdad, 29)-.
The inauguration, as usual, will take place at the Caja de Música Auditorium. Two days later, on January 17, the Tribute to Women will be held, “a special day dedicated to recognizing and making visible the fundamental role of women in the world of cinema and culture,” according to the festival.
Starting on the 19th, feature film screenings will begin, with proposals for all audiences to be announced soon. Before each film, the public will also be able to see one of the finalist shorts of the 36th Short Film Competition.
As a novelty to highlight in 2026, as announced by Councilman Carlos Izquierdo during the presentation of the event, the contest will include for the first time a fifth prize in the category ‘Animation’.
Carabanchel Spanish Film Week Screenings
In the absence of knowing the specific titles that will be screened in this new edition, what is known at the moment is that the screenings will begin on January 19, in the morning and afternoon, and preceded by one of the finalist short films.
As for the children’s sessions, they will be held on the 24th and 25th at 12 noon. The last screening of the program will take place on January 25 at 6 p.m. at the Fernando Lázaro Carreter Cultural Center.
In last year’s edition the public could enjoy free films such as La virgen roja, La estrella azul, MARCO or Rita.
Other activities
In addition to the screening of short and feature films, the Carabanchel Spanish Film Week program also includes talks, colloquiums, round tables and meetings with industry professionals such as directors, actors, actresses and other figures, perhaps not so visible but just as important.
Previous editions have been attended by personalities such as Ángela Molina, María Esteve, Eduard Fernández, Pablo Puyol, Paz Vega or Fernando Colomo.
Carabanchel’s close relationship with cinema
This festival was born in 1981 as a citizen and neighborhood initiative that has grown and consolidated over time to become the festival of reference it is today: one of the most important in the entire Community of Madrid.
This close relationship between the district and the seventh art has been transformed over time, but it is still as valid today. Today this link is understood, for example, from the historic Colonia del Tercio Terol: more than 100 houses of a total of 600 that make up the colony are the usual residence of professionals in the sector.