Evolution Mallorca 2026: dates, films and first announcements

The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF) will celebrate its 15th edition from 28th October to 4th November 2026. Club Kid, by Jordan Firstman, will open the festival, while The End of It, directed by María Martínez Bayona and starring Rebecca Hall, will bring the event to a close. The festival will also honour Mallorcan Pau Aulí with the Evolution New Talent Award and will feature short films by Renée Zellweger and Michael Keaton.

The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival 2026 has begun to reveal the first names and films for a particularly significant edition, as Palma’s film festival celebrates its 15th edition this year.

The festival will take place from 28th October to 4th November, although it will be preceded by a new edition of Cine con Coche at Port Adriano on 23rd and 24th October.

The full programme, screening times and further guest announcements will be revealed on 14th October during the festival’s official presentation.

‘Club Kid’ to open Evolution Mallorca 2026

The film chosen to open the 15th edition of EMIFF will be Club Kid, filmmaker Jordan Firstman’s feature debut.

The queer comedy-drama comes to Mallorca following its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and subsequent appearances at the Toronto, New York and San Sebastián film festivals.

The story follows a New York club promoter whose hedonistic lifestyle is unexpectedly disrupted by the arrival of the ten-year-old son he never knew he had.

The cast includes Jordan Firstman, Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva, Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Reggie Absolom, who plays Arlo.

Evolution Mallorca director Sandra Lipski says the choice of the film to open the festival reinforces its commitment to independent cinema and diverse voices.

‘The End of It’ to close the festival

Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival 2026 will close with The End of It, the feature debut of Spanish director María Martínez Bayona.

The film comes to Mallorca following its world premiere in the Premiere section at Cannes and stars British actress, director and producer Rebecca Hall.

Set in the future, the drama explores ageing, mortality, privilege, creativity and human relationships.

Its screening will also be linked to one of the most important awards of this year’s festival.

Pau Aulí to receive the Evolution New Talent Award

Mallorcan designer Pau Aulí will receive the Evolution New Talent Award during the closing gala.

Aulí, who will also present The End of It, works as a costume designer and production designer and has received three Gaudí Award nominations for Best Costume Design for El vientre del mar, La abadesa and Polvo serán.

He has also been nominated for the Max Awards for Mujercitas, was selected for Berlinale Talents in 2025 and is a member of the European Film Academy.

Each year, the Evolution award recognises film professionals with an internationally recognised career. Previous recipients include actresses such as Ana de Armas and Laia Costa.

Renée Zellweger and Michael Keaton join the short film competition

EMIFF has also confirmed the line-up for its International Short Film Competition, which this year will feature two particularly well-known names.

Oscar winner Renée Zellweger will present They, her directorial debut, an animated short film centred on a message about the importance of being yourself.

Michael Keaton will also compete with Sweetwater, a family story with a futuristic setting.

The full short film selection will form part of a programme that will be revealed in greater detail over the coming days.

Cine con Coche returns to Port Adriano ahead of the festival

Before the official start of the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, Port Adriano will once again host Cine con Coche, the festival’s drive-in cinema.

This year’s edition will take place on 23rd and 24th October 2026 and will focus on films with a strong musical element.

The four films announced are La La Land, Moulin Rouge!, Happy Feet and A Star Is Born.

The initiative is promoted by the Ajuntament de Calvià with funding from the Sustainable Tourism Tax of the Govern de les Illes Balears.

When will the full Evolution Mallorca 2026 programme be announced?

The full Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival 2026 programme will be presented on 14th October at 10:00 am during a press conference at Hotel Portixol.

Screening times, new films, guests and further announcements for the 15th edition will be revealed that day.

The festival itself will begin on 28th October and run until 4th November 2026 in Palma.