The Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival has the honor of welcoming Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to this special event marking the 10th anniversary of the festival. The presence of Their Majesties further enhances the importance of this celebration, and we express our sincerest gratitude for their participation in this significant occasion. Their visit supported the Educational Program of the Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival as a crucial role in promoting the Spanish language in the schools in the Netherlands, as well as fostering interculturality and recognizing cinema as a powerful educational tool.
ASFF 10th anniversary special Educational Program has been completely free for Spanish language students in Dutch schools, providing valuable and accessible educational resources for all, regardless of the financial limitations of the schools. The initiative to offer this activity at no cost to the schools demonstrates ASFF’s strong commitment to education and cultural exchange. All expenses associated with the event’s organization, from logistics to coordinating the royal presence, were entirely covered by the festival. This has allowed hundreds of students to access a unique educational experience that would otherwise not have been possible. The presence of Queens Letizia and Máxima added an unprecedented level of inspiration and motivation for the students. Their participation not only highlighted the relevance of learning Spanish in an international context but also strengthened cultural ties between Spain and the Netherlands.
The program involved 500 students, who will have the chance to watch the film CAMPEONEX directed by Javier Fesser. They also engaged with the filmmaker attending and our guests of honor, enriching their understanding and appreciation of Spanish culture. The impact of this activity goes beyond a simple class or workshop; it represents a significant investment in the future of the students and in promoting intercultural understanding. This initiative has not only benefited the participating students but also reinforced the ASFF’s prestige and mission as a key promoter of education and cultural exchange through cinema in the region.
Their Majesties learned more about the festival’s mission during the Celebratory Colloquium, led by Mercedes M. Abarca and featuring the special participation of Laurien Saraber, Director of Amsterdam Fonds voor de Kunst; Margreet Cornelius, Manager of Filmeducatie Network; Sandra den Hamer, Director of Film Fonds; and Javier Fesser, director of the film. Afterward, Queen Máxima and Queen Letizia had a private reception with team members, sponsors, and partners whose dedication and support make the festival possible year after year.
Their Majesties received our anniversary goodie bag as a token of our appreciation for their visit, and also for their daughters, as ASFF wanted to provide them with a memory of their honored visit to our festival. Here’s to many more years of Spanish Cinema in the Netherlands!
Many thanks to our team, volunteers, and “our trusted translator”, Maarteen Dannenberg. Also thanks to our sponsors and partners: Air Europa, The Social Hub, La Cerveza Española, Mahou, Cava Barcelona, Bodegas Habla, The Secret Sherry Society, Tasca Bellota, Cupra, Borja De Hamsnijder, Amsterdams Fonds voor de kunts, Nederlands Filmfonds, Taalhuis, What the Studio, Turespaña, and Pathé Tuschinski.
