The short film 'Kipuka', filmed in La Palma and directed by Paula C. Ventura and Javi Armas, has been selected for the Official Section of the Madrid Film Festival, a qualifying event for the Goya Awards.
The short film Kipuka, a production entirely made in La Palma, has been selected to compete in the Official Short Film Section of the 35th edition of the Madrid Film Festival – Platform for New Filmmakers (FCM-PNR). This event, which will take place from September 15 to 20, 2026, is recognized as a qualifying festival for the Goya Awards, opening the door for the La Palma work to contend for the highest accolade in Spanish cinema.
Directed by Paula C. Ventura and Javi Armas, Kipuka offers an intimate look at the consequences of the 2021 volcanic eruption in La Palma. The film moves away from informative storytelling to delve into memory, grief, and the bond between people and their territory, positioning the landscape as a living element that constantly interacts with its characters.
The short film stars Isabel Ordaz, Javi Armas, Yiyo Alonso, Carlos de León, and Ángel Cabrera. The original music is composed by Luis Morera, with the participation of Belén Álvarez from Lajalada Music in the direction and musical supervision of the soundtrack.
The selection at FCM-PNR marks a new milestone in the national journey of Kipuka, which had already participated in Canarias Cinema, as part of the International Film Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Now, the short will compete in one of the reference events in the Spanish film landscape, reinforcing the projection of cinema born in La Palma.
Meanwhile, Kipuka Films & Estudio is already working on the development of the feature film Kipuka, a project that expands the narrative universe of the work and deepens the themes of identity, memory, and reconstruction after the eruption. The production company aims to continue its journey in both national and international arenas.
The project has received associated production support from Gerard Butler, Carmen Aguado, Van Marty, Elena Olmos, Federica Ceiner, and Rafael Rodríguez. Additionally, it has received support from the Cabildo of La Palma, through Sodepal, La Palma Film Commission, and the Department of Tourism. The municipalities of El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane, as well as companies like Look Like Brothers, Écija Canarias, Lineshy Productions, La Palma Natural, and Blackout Films have also collaborated.
With this new selection, Kipuka consolidates its presence in national festivals, reaffirming Kipuka Films & Estudio's commitment to author cinema born in La Palma, with a universal vocation and a dedication to stories that can engage the audience through emotion, memory, and territory.
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