Benjamin Zeccola’s Spanish Film Festival Top Five Picks
About Benjamin Zeccola and the history of the Palace Cinemas
Benjamin Zeccola is the CEO of Palace Cinemas, a cinema chain in Australia that was founded by his father, Antonio Zeccola. He took over the position from his father in 2020. Benjamin has worked in the family business for over 20 years, and has been instrumental in the growth of the company. Benjamin has worked across every aspect of the business over the past 20 years and his initiatives, particularly in sponsorship and hospitality have created significant value for the company.
The group continued to flourish throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s with the addition of a number of successful locations such as the Dendy Brighton, The Balwyn Cinema, as well as The Verona and Academy Cinema in Paddington, NSW. In the last 20 years Palace has continued to grow their captive audience with modernist expansions in Melbourne and Sydney, introductions in Brisbane, Byron Bay, Canberra and Perth, and preservation of heritage art-deco gems, such as The Astor Theatre, Australia’s longest-running single-screen venue.
Speaking of his involvement in the family cinema business Benjamin has stated:
“I have dedicated my life to helping my father run this business. From early childhood I knew exactly what I wanted to do: work with my family in the glorious world of cinema exhibition, relieve my father of some of the strain and create a very special cinema experience for our patrons. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to follow in my father’s footsteps and hope to make him proud, as my siblings and I work to fulfill the potential of Palace”.
Palace hosted Film Festivals include: The Lavazza Italian Film Festival; The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival; The Spanish Film Festival; The German Film Festival; the Israeli Film Festival; The Greek Film Festival; The Palestinian Film Festival and The Russian Film Festival.
Benjamin is especially excited to be presenting this year’s amazing selection of Spanish cinema to the Australian audience.
Benjamin’s Top Five Picks!
THE MOVIE TELLER
La Contadora de Películas
This is a favourite as it is opening this year’s festival, but also because it is a simply stunning homage to the power of cinema and storytelling. Set in a Chilean mining town in the late 60s and 70s, it features a brilliant cast including two fabulous newcomers.
VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS
Vera y el placer de los otros
One of the films from our Special Presentation selection that explores themes of liberation, sensuality and empowerment, it’s an entertaining coming of age story about 17-year-old Vera whose own sensuality is ignited through her work to enable others to do the same.
UPON OPEN SKY
A cielo abierto
A thrilling road movie set in the 1990s, it is the first film from the son and daughter of famed Mexican director Guillermo Arriaga where two teens track down the man responsible for their father’s death.
ARTIFICIAL JUSTICE
Justica Artificial
A fascinating proposition set in the near future with AI taking over the role of Judges in the court system. At times unsettling, it is a highly engaging thriller that deals with a very topical subject matter.
JOKES AND CIGARETTES
Saben aquell
Featuring an amazing performance by David Verdaguer as a famous Catalan comedian that many Spanish people from that era will recall. The set pieces and costume design are
