Iris Berben live in Mallorca: Award and Talk at the Evolution Film Festival

Iris Berben live in Mallorca: Award and Talk at the Evolution Film Festival

From the red carpet to the open conversation – two opportunities to see the actress

This week the island’s attention briefly turns to the big screen: German actress Iris Berben is a guest at the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival. If you are walking around Palma in the early evening, you might hear the clatter of espresso cups on the Passeig del Born and see passersby with a light breeze ruffling their jackets – the autumn weather is mild right now, around 25 °C with a few clouds over the bay.

The official appearance takes place at the opening gala on Wednesday, 28 October, in Palma’s Congress Palace. There the Evolution Icon Award will be presented – an honor recognizing a long career in front of the camera that many here know well. For anyone who enjoys gala atmosphere: the spotlights, the sound of heels on the red carpet and the slight excitement of film fans can be strongly felt in Palma these days.

But the encounter with Berben is not limited to an evening of flashbulbs. On Friday, 30 October, the festival invites the public to a conversation at the Rivoli Aficine in Palma. The so‑called Icon Talk starts at 5:00 pm and is scheduled to last about 90 minutes. Admission is free; seats can be reserved via the festival website. For visitors who do not speak German, the AI app Wordly is expected to offer real‑time translations – a modern touch that opens the talk to an international audience.

For locals and residents this is a welcome opportunity: celebrity guests briefly bring more culture into the city center, enliven cinema halls and cafés around the venues. The festival uses the quieter season at the end of the tourist period to create a small cultural highlight without the island feeling overcrowded. On days like these you might meet the neighbor who usually shops at the market corner on Sundays, or young filmmakers hoping for exchange, in front of the Rivoli in the evening.

Practical information for those interested: arrive early – especially for the talk, where seating is limited. A bench in the Born, a cappuccino in hand and a short walk to the Rivoli are small routines that make the visit more relaxed. Those who wish to stay in Palma after the event will find open bars and small tapas places in the new town where they can let the conversation linger.

Why this is good for Mallorca: such festivals bring local cinema operators and independent organizers together with international guests. It shows young filmmakers that something is happening here; and it gives locals the chance to meet figures from their film youth in person, not just on screen. Free formats like the Icon Talk are also a rare way to lower barriers: culture remains accessible not only to ticket buyers, but to everyone.

A final tip: don’t stare only at the spotlight. Treat yourself to a bit of everyday Mallorca around the event – a stroll down Carrer de Sant Miquel, the sound of fountains in the old town, the smell of freshly baked pa amb oli. Combining both gives a rounded experience: the shine of the guests and the warmth of the island.

Further information about the program and reservations can be found on the official website of the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival.