Chema García Ibarra’s independent cinema is no longer a secret shared only by a small circle. His debut feature, The Holy Spirit, began its international distribution journey after a path through Spanish theaters and a string of festival selections. The film, shot in the Carrús district, is slated for theatrical premieres in France next July and is also expected to reach Turkey, with a wider release planned for audiences in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom on Arrow Player, a platform known for fantasy and cult cinema.
Created by García Ibarra, the story follows a mother searching for a missing daughter and a group of ufology enthusiasts guarding a cosmic secret. The film will screen in twenty cinemas across major French cities starting July 6, thanks to co-production ties with Alicante. Jaibo Movies collaborates with the French producer Night Factory and Turkish Details Films on this release.
Furthermore, after touring theaters across Spain and since its release last November, The Holy Spirit has become available to subscribers of a platform that helped finance part of the project and has recently established a rental option for viewers. The film continues to expand its audience reach and remains accessible in various formats for fans to enjoy.
By contrast, García Ibarra’s feature has kept a steady presence since its premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, where it earned a special mention. It has traveled to film festivals and venues around the world, with recent stops in the United States, and upcoming appearances in Seattle, the United Kingdom, and competitions in France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Argentina, and Mexico.
Noted as an underground work, the director jokes about his position in cinema. “Maybe now I’m on top of the underground,” he quips, reflecting the warm critical and public reception of his first feature. The Fotogramas de Plata 2021 award, given by a specialist film magazine and voted by its critics as the best Spanish film of 2021, highlighted the film and Remains the benchmark against which independent cinema is measured. García Ibarra describes the debut as fascinating, a project that navigates and transcends the barriers typically faced by the most independent productions.
“I’m glad to stay underground, and the reception confirms the film found its audience in exactly the moments and places where humor and storytelling merge with a thoughtful, cinematic truth,” the director explains, awaiting fresh audience reactions with curiosity.
“This is a very special story, almost a private joke that grows when shared. At first you think only friends will get it, but it becomes clear that many people will feel the impact even if they don’t like everything about it,” García Ibarra adds, noting the film’s blend of non-professional performances with a mix of tradition, humor, and science fiction. The director has also earned the Fipresci prize, the Nouveaux Cinéastes de Cinespaña prize, and the Feroz Fiction Explosion recognition for this work.
What’s next? “I don’t know yet, I’m writing, though it’s still in an embryonic stage,” the Elche-born filmmaker shares, hinting at upcoming projects while keeping the emphasis on the ongoing journey of The Holy Spirit.