An animated documentary short explores the origin of the Lady of Elche, produced by a Alicante animation studio. The film combines creative direction by Arly Jones and Sami Natsheh with a vivid, cinematic approach to revealing how the renowned bust was discovered and understood by modern audiences. The project was screened at the Florence International Archeology and Ambient Art Film Festival in Florence, underlining its appeal to audiences interested in archaeology, history, and experimental cinema.
The Lady of Elche short, crafted as a collaborative effort, joined eight other documentaries from countries including Turkey, France, England, and Italy in a single screening session. It was billed as a playful yet informative animated examination of the bust’s origin and discovery, marking a notable moment for Italian audiences and film programmers seeking unique educational experiences.
Produced in 2019 and overseen by President Pedro Ibarra, the project emerged from a research group that brought together animated storytelling with scholarly inquiry. The film was directed and written by the Alicante studio Cabeza Voladora, with the voice work provided by Antonio Esquivias and a supporting cast that included notable performers. The production process fused historical interpretation with imaginative animation to present a compact narrative that resonates with viewers of all ages.
In addition to its festival life, the documentary has found a home in museum programming, including a recent showing during the first Archaeological Film Cycle at the Archaeological Museum of Cacabelos in Leon. It has also enjoyed continued exposure at the Elche Archeology and History Museum MAHE, where it supports ongoing educational and cultural exhibitions. Arly Jones notes that the piece appears to attract a specific audience segment, illustrating the power of animation to broaden engagement with archaeology.
The short can be viewed on YouTube, where it has reached a broader audience seeking concise, visually driven explanations of historical topics. The screenplay runs about 800 words, designed to convey the significance of the Lady of Elche to schoolchildren in a direct, accessible way.
Explaining archaeology through animation is not common, but it provides a strong hook for younger viewers, according to Natsheh. Jones adds that animation is an extraordinary tool for education. Although Spanish animation has a long tradition, dating back to early pioneers, the field shifted toward more commercial aims in later decades. The project revisits the pedagogical potential of animation and demonstrates how visual storytelling can illuminate the past.
This marks not the first collaboration for Flying Head in educational animation. Previous projects have involved schoolchildren and festival circuits, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to using animation for learning and cultural exploration.
Arly Jones and Sami Natsheh are also the co-directors of another celebrated work, Colors, a short animated film that earned a nomination for the Goya Awards in 2018. Their continued collaboration highlights a shared interest in blending storytelling with historical interpretation through animation.