CENTERPIECE FILM & PARTY: Maspalomas

Seventy-six-year-old Vicente is finally living his truth. In the sun-drenched LGBTQ+ haven of Maspalomas, he spends his days cruising the dunes and his nights in the neon glow of the Yumbo Centre. But when a stroke leaves him partially paralyzed, he is forced back to his rainy hometown of San Sebastián. Placed in a conservative nursing home by his estranged daughter, Vicente retreats into the closet. However, an unlikely friendship with his ebullient, right-wing roommate and a secret digital life spark a quiet revolution. This poignant look at aging proves the light of self-discovery never truly fades.

WHY IT MATTERS: This film is a vital piece of queer cinema because it shines a light on the "invisible" generation of LGBTQ+ elders. It explores the unique tragedy of being forced back into the closet due to age and illness, while celebrating the enduring power of queer joy and chosen community. By reclaiming space for older gay men in the narrative of self-discovery, it serves as a defiant reminder that our identities and our right to love do not have an expiration date.