The expanded programme of the Festival de Málaga, Málaga de Festival (MaF), held prior to the 29th edition of the film festival, broadens its scope with an ambitious programme that seeks to showcase European culture as a possible world in which citizens can recognise themselves, regardless of their origins, and from which to inspire hope and coexistence through the work of established figures alongside emerging creators aspiring to make their mark on the cultural, artistic and creative sector. As the editions have progressed, Málaga de Festival has consolidated its role in stimulating public discourse thanks to the activities included in each programme. This commitment is articulated through artistic and cultural initiatives born from the collaborative nature of the city's key professional players and national creators. This collaboration fosters a unique ecosystem, recognised nationally, through contemporary cultural creation, enabling local artists to transcend the local sphere. It is worth noting that this year's Málaga de Festival revolves around two main themes that form the core of the programme: Europe in the Mirror, which offers us the chance to explore the enduring relevance of European values ​​while showcasing the universality of European culture as a space in which we can see ourselves reflected and from which to build a shared present; and 'Azcona Centenary', which enables us to rediscover, from a contemporary perspective, the figure and work of one of the most important screenwriters and novelists in our cultural heritage.
 
The Albéniz Cinema hosted this morning's presentation of MaF 2026 – organised by Málaga City Council and Málaga Procultura in collaboration with the ”la Caixa” Foundation – with the participation of the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre; the Councillor for Culture and Historical Heritage of Málaga City Council, Mariana Pineda; the Director of the Festival de Málaga, Juan Antonio Vigar; and the Regional Manager for Andalusia, Ceuta, and Melilla of the ”la Caixa” Foundation,, Juan Carlos Barroso; and the commercial director of CaixaBank for Eastern Andalusia, XXX
 
From 12 February until 5 March, the programme, divided into different artistic disciplines, will travel to the city's districts to offer citizens a comprehensive encounter with creativity and thought, allowing the city, once again, to become a national benchmark for contemporary programming of an open and inclusive nature. MaF 2026 kicks off at the Albéniz Cinema with an opening concert by Karmento, who will present a very personal vision of ‘La Serrana’ thanks to the collaboration of two artists with distinctive styles, Le Parody and Mondra, making this concert a unique experience that can only be enjoyed at this cinema. Tickets for this exclusive concert are now on sale for a single price of 18 euros at the Cervantes Theatre box office and online through Uniticket. The closing event, and for the first time since the Festival de Málaga’s expanded programme was launched, will feature one of our signature activities: the special Azcona Versometraje event, which will take place at the Echegaray Theatre, with free admission. This event offers us the chance to engage in a contemporary dialogue with a selection of films in which Azcona collaborated, thanks to the testimonies of colleagues, admirers, and friends.
 
Málaga de Festival reinvents itself with each edition, not only through its thematic axes that broaden the horizons of creation and art thanks to intellectual parameters, but also through its very dynamic and ever-changing nature, which compels us to avoid inertias that contribute nothing to culture or to those who participate in it. Perhaps that is why, in this edition, we have wanted to extend our hands, with more strength and faith than ever, to those who must change the present for a better future. Our beloved Pequepinchada -with Pink Chadora- is moving to CEIP Prácticas Nº1 this year. This activity kicks off a whole host of events and activities that engage children and young people. Sami Nair, Andrea Rizzi, and Ana Santos – the former director of the National Library – will visit the schools IES Salvador Rueda, IES Sierra Bermeja, and IES Gaona, respectively, to talk with students about the importance of Europe at this time, emphasise the need to defend founding European values, and, above all, make them feel like active participants in a society and a project that needs them. Meanwhile, IES Profesor Isidoro Sánchez has put together a fantastic programme of activities centred around Azcona, featuring character portrayals from his films. This programme also encourages students to reflect on Europe through the lens of the curriculum at their school. In addition, this year we're introducing Reading Party at the schools IES Salvador Rueda and IES Sierra Bermeja.
 
In this effort to reach out to those whose task it will be to change the current paradigm, the public university plays a fundamental role, as it is a source of knowledge and talent in our society. This year, we have fostered numerous collaborations with the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Communication Sciences, the Faculty of Tourism, the Faculty of Fine Arts, and the School of Architecture, not only to showcase the talent of their teaching staff but also to demonstrate the university's role in transmitting knowledge to society. From the Faculty of Law, and thanks to the enthusiasm of Antonio Quesada and Esther Domínguez, a tribute will be paid to one of the most important intellectuals in our recent history, Jorge Semprún. We will be exploring his life and work with Sami Nair. In keeping with these necessary tributes, Oriana Fallaci will be the subject of reflection in the Faculty of Communication Sciences, thanks to the collaboration with Bella Palomo and Agustín Rivera, who will be in conversation with Enric González and Irene Hernández. This same discussion will also take place at the Ateneo de Málaga for a wider audience. In the Faculty of Tourism, thanks to Diego Vera, we will consider how territory is managed and defined from a European perspective. Beatriz Lacomba will be talking to Dorothy Kelly about the importance of the Erasmus Programme in building European citizenship. Fine Arts, for its part, maintains the close collaboration we have had with this faculty since the beginning and incorporates the exhibition of Lucía Navas's work, curated by Juan del Junco. Finally, the School of Architecture, in collaboration with the Official College of Architects, will be hosting a panel discussion on mobility in 21st-century cities in the face of social and environmental changes.
 
Continuing with the collaborations with professional associations, the Malaga Bar Association will be hosting a fascinating two-part event that explores the cruelty of the 20th century in Europe through one of the most important essays in our literary history, winner of national and European awards: La ética de la crueldad’ (The Ethics of Cruelty), by José Ovejero, which is being reissued this year. In conversation with Diego Ríos Padrón, Ovejero will examine the cultural, religious, and political weight of cruelty and the grotesque. The two-part event is completed by a screening of ‘The Reader’ by Stephen Daldry, followed by a discussion with Carlos Font. Meanwhile, the Malaga and Melilla Association of Social Graduates will be hosting a talk on European regulations between Eduardo Ruiz Vegas and Francisco Vigo Serralvo.
 
Since we took a step forward in advocating for critical thinking and rigorous knowledge—a stance that has positioned us as one of the most important cultural projects focused on thought—as a defence of humanity, to use an expression coined by Hannah Arendt, a philosopher who will play a central role alongside María Zambrano and Simone Weil, thinkers who revolutionised political thought in the last century and who will be cited in every MaF 2026 event, science and technology have occupied a prominent place in every MaF programme. This stems from our commitment to creating spaces that foster dialogue, constructive dissent, and strengthen knowledge. At the Telefónica Foundation's Campus 42 Málaga, Nuria Rodríguez Ortega and Antonio Diéguez Lucena will be talking with Ángel L. Fernández about all the technological processes that are accelerating, day by day, and that are narrowing the boundaries of humanity. The brilliant essayist Lola López Mondéjar, in this same space, will be dissecting the key elements of her two latest works in a conversation entitled ‘Subjects Without Narrative, Invertebrate Subjects’. At the Cultural Centre of El Corte Inglés, Basilio Baltasar and Ángel L. Fernández will be discussing the current technified world, presenting a techno-optimistic vision contrasted with a techno-pessimistic one. Silvia Herreros de Tejada proposes a dialogue about the contemporary obsession with youth, based on her book 'Juvencolía', at Librería Rayuela.
 
Political thinking will play a leading role at MaF 2026. Thanks to the collaboration with La Térmica, of Málaga Provincial Council, Málaga de Festival will feature in its programme two of the most influential European philosophers of our time: Claire Marin and Roman Krznaric. Their individual trajectories allow us to create spaces of hope through small, everyday gestures—those that remind us of the human side of humanity. Thoughts that call to us from a place of hope and from the present moment. Thanks to the collaboration with this same organisation, specifically the Generation of '27, we will be exploring the artistic legacy of Pasolini and Lorca with Carlos Barea, Toy del Postigo, Isabel Do Diego, and Joaquín Ramírez. At the Picasso Museum Málaga, two key figures, Andrea Rizzi and Sami Nair, will discuss what Europe is and why we must defend its values ​​in a time of absolute hostility and fragility like the present. Máriam Martínez Bascuñán, at the Ateneo de Málaga, will be discussing ‘El fin del mundo común’ (The End of the Common World), her celebrated essay on Arendt’s political philosophy, an enthusiastic defence of individuals and a society built by all against the onslaught of lies and technology corporations. Manuel Arias Maldonado will be speaking at the same venue about the potential politics of imagination reflected in ‘La pulsión nacionalista’ (The Nationalist Impulse), which positions Europe as a possible solution. This discussion will include the participation of Juan Antonio Hidalgo. Daniel Gascón and Manuel Toscano will be posing a crucial question at the SEAP regarding European founding values, their relevance, and their place in the world. Javier Gomá will be inviting us to reflect on the value of philosophy in our tradition at the SEAP, while Juan Francisco Rueda and José Medina Galeote will discuss the influence of art history on the construction of Europe at the Picasso Birthplace Museum. The Centro Andaluz de las Letras will be hosting two colloquiums with two prominent thinkers, Ana Santos, who will talk about the importance of women's literacy throughout history; and Mercedes Monmany who, in conversation with Manuel Mateo Pérez , will explore the European literature that has influenced us and shaped our identity, drawing on Monmany's most recent essay. Azahara Palomeque will be talking about peripheries and margins, those territorial identities that distance themselves from centres of power, thanks to ‘Pueblo blanco azul’ (White Blue Village), while Berna González-Harbour will reflect, from a literary perspective, on European colonizing discourses and how they have shaped our behaviour, at the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the same venue that will host the conversation between Jesús Báez and El Barroquista on European musical culture. In this same venue, Rocío Soto will take us back to the Baroque period to examine its influence on contemporary imagery, and finally, the Orfeón Preuniversitario de Málaga and La Escolanía will offer their popular concert in the columned courtyard. The Jorge Rando Museum will be hosting a discussion with Imma Prieto, director of the Tàpies Museum, on the importance of filmmaker Germaine Dulac, an event that will include the participation of Montse Ogalla. Meanwhile, on the closing day, the Albéniz Cinema will be hosting one of the most anticipated events of this MaF: a meeting with filmmaker Isabel Coixet, who, together with Cristina Andreu, will explore the career of our most European filmmaker, in Coixet según Isabel.
 
If we transfer the world of ideas to the world of artistic creation, we undoubtedly discover what gives Málaga de Festival its special meaning: that space generated by the talent of artists and the ideas waiting to be seen. Ateneo de Málaga will be hosting two exhibitions of fundamental value thanks to a collaboration with Málaga Acoge and Míchelo Toro. Exodus or Fortress Europe', by photojournalist Sergi Cámara; and 'Photographs of Burton Norton', by Eduardo Momeñe, showcase the power of photographic language in constructing narratives and dismantling falsehoods. Completing this demanding exhibition programme is Juanma Yules' ‘Venus de los rulos’ (Venus with Curls), which invites us to reflect on the historical difficulties women have faced simply for being women. Continuing with the exhibitions, Galería Taller Gravura will be hosting the exhibition by Javier Roz; and SEAP presents Juan Cobos' 'Europe in Resonance,' curated by Sara Sarabia; and 'María Zambrano in Greece,' featuring works from the María Zambrano Foundation's photographic collection, curated by José Manuel Mouriño. Another important venue, the MIMMA will be hosting a series of artistic events strongly influenced by audiovisual elements: ‘Italy, the Eros of Europe’, will be a dialogue between word and image, based on Ángelo Néstore's 'Raw Milk,' which includes photographs by Martín de Arriba. Kansas Anymore will show us the territory before Europe, Ereb; while Sergio Gómez will combine visuals and sound with Neo-Cántigas. In the chapel of the San Miguel Cemetery, we will be discussing the enduring relevance of mystical thought, through a conversation with Begoña Méndez, a discussion that will include songs by more contemporary mystics thanks to a collaboration with Gospel It. Museo de Málaga, for its part, will be hosting the popular encounter between the Municipal Band and the poetry of Pablo Benavente, Vicente Luis Mora, and Virginia Aguilar, as well as a guided poetry tour led by Aurora Luque that unites verse and canvas. Marta Sanz, at MEET/CMR, will discuss bodies and historical diseases through a colloquium featuring a sound intervention by Marity Manzanera based on ‘Amarillo’. Meanwhile, La Caja Blanca will be hosting El Festín by Verónica Ruth Frías, Daniel Blacksmith, and Niche Ramírez. Following the idea of ​​bringing verse to other languages, and in collaboration with the Rafael Ballesteros Foundation, the Ámbito Cultural will be presenting a dialogue between Ballesteros' poems and the visuals of Patricia Conor. The Provincial Archive of Málaga will be screening ‘The Lives of Others’ by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, followed by a discussion, a theme that will have one of its highlights at the Picasso Museum Málaga with our beloved Versometraje. To conclude the section "Europe in the Mirror," La Casa Amarilla will be presenting two ambitious projects, ‘W’ and ‘Chryso,’ which will take place at Promálaga Casa de Socorro and bring together diverse artistic languages.
 
Azcona Centenary takes us to the BPM 'Dámaso Alonso' with the screening of 'El pisito' and to the Museum Jorge Rando with two contemporary performances featuring the thought of Elena Pedrosa, with compositions by Virginia Pedrosa and Álvaro SanBartolomé; and a very special Oh, Carmela performance incorporating the visual and sound arts of Tras Teatro. The MIMMA will be hosting the avant-garde proposal of Trío Mudo and the Echegaray Theatre closes the 2026 edition of MaF with a very special Versometraje dedicated entirely to Azcona, featuring colleagues and friends.
 
Social achievements
 
Continuing with the more activist aspect of this programme, our beloved POOUS will take place once again this year, filling Calle San Juan de Letrán to celebrate life and its diversity, in collaboration with Kipfer & Lover and Fundación Málaga. This space will also host a meeting with Alberto Conejero, as part of a special MaF session of the LGBTQ+ Book Club. And Pedro Ocaña and his team will present a performance installation, Carroza Kinki Club, on the esplanade of the future MUCAC Mayoristas.
 
Municipal Public Libraries
 
And speaking of spaces that encourage dialogue, we should highlight the work of the Municipal Public Libraries, essential venues that enable us to reach the city's neighbourhoods through their special MaF Encounters with Authors programme, bringing to the districts of our city writers like Karmele Jaio, who will be in conversation with Isabel Guerrero; Inés Plana, Conde, Jesús Carrasco, Juan Manuel Gil, and the authors of the comic book ‘El otro mundo’ (The Other World), Enrique Bonet and Joaquín López Cruces, who will be visiting the Manuel Altolaguirre Municipal Library. This programme in the municipal libraries is complemented by the Cine con Libros (Cinema with Books) series in Ciudad Jardín, and by Peneque in Campanillas, Puerto de la Torre and Palma-Palmilla with a visual arts activity aimed at primary school students. Meanwhile, the bookshops, also spaces made of words, essential partners of MaF, will be hosting a talk with Marc Collel, winner of the Café Gijón 2025 prize, at Librería Luces; while Rayuela will host a talk with Cristina Araujo.
 
Our classics
 
There are some activities that are part of our DNA due to their playful nature, their celebration of culture. Dani Drunkorama, with his Vermut-O-Rama; Swing de Cine, in various other venues around the city; Esa peli me suena, at Muelle Uno. The MaF Special Entrance. Activities that celebrate culture with joy.
 
 
Full programme: www.festivaldemalaga.com/maf