This is one of those awesome things that might go undetected on your radar if we don’t cram it in your face, so forgive the extra email in your inbox this week. The Hola Mexico Film Festival is kicking off this Friday night, bringing with it a smorgasbord (or Mexican equivalent) of fun, drama, comedy, suspense and hijinks from down South of the border. It’s six evenings of entertainment, showcasing today’s best Mexican filmmakers and also showcasing getting slightly soused on Mexican beer.

There’s an opening night fiesta this Friday, and we have word that as well as crticially-acclaimed flick Sin Nombre there’ll be Sol Cerveza and Daiquiris to get into the spirit of things with. The Mercury’s own Toby Bramwell says “we’re really happy to see the Hola Mexico film festival come back to Adelaide with an even bigger showcase”. And it is a superb line up of films. The strong crop of Mexican directors who are now shaping Hollywood, names like Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy, Pans Labyrinth and the upcoming Hobbit) as well as Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as well Children of Men) are testament to the talent Mexico produces.

“Hola is a really great opportunity to catch the next crop of great Mexican directors. One of the films, Los Bastardos screened at Cannes this year” says Toby Bramwell.

Best of all (as far as we’re concerned (we’re selfish), Merge is throwing a closing night party next Wednesday (the 9th), featuring film Oveja Negra (Black Sheep (not the Chris Farley version)), and some specially-commissioned poster art shellacked up by local artists to celebrate.

Check out the full program on the Mercury’s website (www.mercurycinema.org.au), and make sure you pre-book them tickets because things at the box office are apparently getting a little loco. Hola Mexico Film Festival runs from this Friday (the 4th) until next Wednesday (the 9th). Call The Mercury on 8410 1934 to book your tickets.