Isla Calavera Film Festival Returns for 10th Edition Honoring Ivana Baquero

The tenth edition of the Isla Calavera Canary Islands Fantastic Film Festival is set to be a major highlight for genre cinema in Spain. Running from November 6 to 15 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the festival continues its mission of bringing together established industry icons and emerging creative talent.

This year, the festival will present the "Isla Calavera Fantastic Legend Award" to actress Ivana Baquero. The tribute coincides with the 20th anniversary of Pan’s Labyrinth, the film that launched Baquero’s career and earned her a Goya Award for Best New Actress. To celebrate, the festival will host a special screening of a restored version of the film at Multicines Tenerife. Since her breakout role in 2006, Baquero has built a diverse career, appearing in projects ranging from The Shannara Chronicles and High Seas to Black Widow and Spartacus: House of Ashur.

The festival program also features director Juanma Bajo Ulloa and actress Natalia Tena, who will visit the island to present their new film, El mal. The screening will take place on November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Multicines Tenerife and will include a Q&A session with the audience. The film marks a new stylistic direction for the Basque director, focusing on suspense and psychological tension.

Natalia Tena, known for her roles in Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, John Wick, and The Mandalorian, brings significant versatility to the project. Her career spans both acclaimed Spanish independent films, such as 10,000 km, and major international blockbusters, alongside her work as a musician with the band Molotov Jukebox.

Organized by the Charlas de Cine Cultural Association, Multicines Tenerife, and Tumbaabierta.com, the festival is supported by the La Laguna City Council, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Tenerife Island Council, and other partners. The event remains a key destination for fantastic cinema, blending classic milestones with the latest in contemporary film.