David Baute’s Documentary 'Benigno' Wins Green Spike at Seminci Film Festival
David Baute’s documentary Benigno has earned critical acclaim at the Valladolid International Film Festival, winning the Green Spike and a special jury mention for its poignant exploration of rural heritage and environmental connection.
Spanish documentary filmmaking is enjoying a period of creative growth, a trend clearly on display at the recent Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci). The production company Tinglado Film announced that Benigno, a feature film by Tenerife-born director David Baute, achieved notable success at the festival, winning the Green Spike (Espiga Verde) and a special jury mention in the Alquimias section.
This double recognition highlights how auteur cinema can effectively address modern concerns like sustainability and the preservation of rural heritage. The Green Spike honors Baute’s exploration of the bond between people and their environment—a recurring theme in his work. In this film, it is captured through the life of an 88-year-old man who maintains a ritualistic connection to his land and seeds. Meanwhile, the Alquimias award, which celebrates innovative storytelling, recognizes the film’s sensitive portrayal of time and identity within a home that serves as a living family archive.
Supported by a talented team—including cinematographer Mauro Herce, writers María Abenia and Baute, art director Silvia Navarro, editor Raul Barrera, and sound designers Dori Diaz and Nahuel Palenque—the documentary is becoming a standout on the national film circuit. Following its success in Valladolid, it has been selected as one of five Spanish titles to compete at the Barcelona Independent Film Festival.
The film is now preparing for a wider commercial release, with screenings scheduled in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, A Coruña, and Seville over the coming months. Benigno follows the daily life of its subject, who still lives in his childhood home. By tending to his garden, he turns his routine into an act of resistance against the loss of traditional ways of life. Through this project, Baute not only documents one man’s story but also captures a philosophy rooted in family heritage and respect for nature, further establishing Tinglado Film as a leading voice for independent cinema in the Canary Islands.