Breakout ‘The Dinner’ Heads to New Spanish Films NY After Goya Lift

Manuel Gómez Pereira’s “The Dinner” (“La cena”) comes into And the Goya Goes To – New Spanish Films NY with proven local traction and fresh awards visibility.

Set in 1939 in the immediate aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the film follows a group of defeated Republican chefs ordered to prepare a celebratory banquet for Franco and his top generals at Madrid’s Palace Hotel, while plotting what may be their last chance to escape.

Led by Mario Casas and Alberto San Juan, the film combines a period backdrop, built-in tension and a tone that shuttles between suspense and comedy.

That formula helped drive one of the more notable local theatrical runs among Spanish titles of the season. Released by A Contracorriente Films on Oct. 17, “The Dinner” has grossed €3.7 million ($4.3 million) and drawn more than 600,000 admissions, according to Comscore figures provided by Spain’s ICAA film institute.

At the 2026 Goya Awards, it converted eight nominations, including best picture, into two wins: adapted screenplay for Joaquín Oristrell, Manuel Gómez Pereira and Yolanda García Serrano, and costume design for Helena Sanchis.

The film marks one of Gómez Pereira’s most visible market outings in years. A longstanding force in Spanish commercial cinema, his directing credits include “All Men Are the Same” (“Todos los hombres sois iguales”), “Mouth to Mouth” (“Boca a boca”), “Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health” (“El amor perjudica seriamente la salud”) and “Queens” (“Reinas”).

Produced by Cristóbal García, Lina Badenes and Roberto Butragueño, “The Dinner” is a Spain-France co-production led by La Terraza Films alongside Turanga Films, Sideral Cinema and Entre Medina y Genaro AIE, with French outfit Halley Production co-producing. Film Factory Entertainment handles international sales.

And the Goya Goes To – New Spanish Films is organized by Spain’s Academy…