The film, directed by filmmakers Pablo Más Serrano and Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón, has achieved remarkable success since its premiere over a year ago at the Málaga International Film Festival. Now, the documentary will make its debut in the United States, with a prominent screening at the Instituto Cervantes in Los Angeles on April 15.
This special session, part of a Spanish cinema series, will be attended by musicologists, ambassadors, and ecclesiastical representatives. Director Pablo Más will interact with the audience, while conferences and screenings are also scheduled in San Francisco. The Culture Councilor of Elche, Irene Ruíz, highlighted the documentary's significant impact, having received numerous awards and mentions at international festivals, and also filling theaters at the Gran Teatre and Cines Odeón in the city.
“"It is an honor and a source of pride that the greatest cultural expression of the people of Elche, such as the Misteri d’Elx, is projected internationally."
The MASPELICULAS production is supported by the Generalitat Valenciana, the Institut Valencià de Cultura, and features the participation of Radio Televisión Española. La Festa is expected to air on TVE starting in 2027, although the exact date has not yet been confirmed. The documentary has participated in festivals such as the Oriana Awards, the Sant Andreu de la Barca Festival, the Espiello Ethnographic Film Festival, and has been officially selected at the Bogotá Film Festival (Bogocine) and the Santander International Independent Film Festival (Sanfici) 2026 in Colombia.
Among the accolades received, it notably won Best Documentary at Docs ALC, organized by the Diputación de Alicante, the Audience Award at the Festival della Comunicazione e del Cinema Archeologico in Catania (Sicily), and the Best International Film award at the Pasto International Film Festival (Colombia). Furthermore, the General Society of Authors and Publishers (SGAE) has selected it for its documentary series in cinemas.
The Elche City Council emphasizes that the production contributes to preserving the patrimonial legacy of the Misteri d’Elx, recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. The documentary offers a deep insight into the city and the collective effort to keep this tradition alive, featuring interviews with protagonists and reflections on future challenges, such as equality and generational succession.
