Saraqusta Film Festival 2026: Highlighted Screenings and Documentaries

The Saraqusta Film Festival 2026 becomes the stage for the screening of «The Madwomen of the Obelisk,» a film that stands out for its focus on sisterhood and the dignity of vulnerable women in 19th-century Madrid. This feature film, directed by Pablo Moreno, competes in the feature film category and will be screened on April 27. The story centers on María Ana Allsopp, an aristocrat who, alongside Father Francisco de Asís Méndez, founded the Trinitarian congregation to shelter women forced into prostitution.

Cast and Narrative of «The Madwomen of the Obelisk»

Actress Paula Iglesias leads the cast of «The Madwomen of the Obelisk,» portraying Allsopp through in-depth research using letters, diaries, and books from that era. The cast also includes Laura Contreras, Javier Godino, Carlos Iglesias, Assumpta Serna, and Arturo de la Torre. According to Moreno, the screenplay was crucial for selecting the most significant moments of Allsopp’s life, incorporating a parallel plot that follows two sisters arriving in Madrid, symbolizing the experiences of many women from that time.

Notable Documentaries at the Festival

The documentary «How We Conquered the West and Where It Led Us,» directed by Elsa Tercera, will be screened on April 27 at 7 PM. This work explores the emigration of people from Teruel to the United States in the early 20th century, combining footage from Teruel and various U.S. states, and collecting testimonies from the descendants of the emigrants.

Another competing documentary is «The Battle of the Eras,» directed by Pedro Aguaviva, which is part of the Aragonese section. This documentary reconstructs an episode of the siege of Zaragoza during the War of Independence, using historical recreations to bring to life the events and contexts of the time.

Special Programming and Access to the Festival

In the unofficial section «Panorama Saraqusta,» «Lady X,» a Polish series about the life of Lucyna Liss, starring Anna Szymanczyk, will be screened. Additionally, on April 28, there will be an outdoor screening of «Braveheart» in the Plaza del Pilar, with tickets already sold out.

Individual tickets for the competing works are priced at 4.5 euros, while the annual pass costs 15 euros and includes access to the closing gala and cocktail. The round tables and special screenings are free to attend with prior online reservation. Tickets can be purchased at saraqustafilmfestival.com.

The festival is co-organized by the Zaragoza City Council and Cosmos Fan, with the support of the Government of Aragon and the Ibercaja Foundation as the main partner.