Netflix Releases First Trailer for Guitarricadelafuente-Starrer “La Bola Negra”

Netflix has released the first look trailer to Guitarricadelafuente’s acclaimed film.

La Bola Negra, which stars the 29-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor (real name Álvaro Lafuente Calvo), is the work of art by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi.

Guitarricadelafuente, La Bola NegraThe Cannes Film Festival breakout title explores LGBT heritage and pays tribute to murdered Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca through the interconnected stories of three men in the three different eras of 1932, 1937 and 2017.

The cast features Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Penélope Cruz, Lola Dueñas and Glenn Close.

World premiering in Competition, the film took Cannes by storm in May, prompting a 20-minute ovation and then winning Best Director for Calvo and Ambrossi, known as Los Javis.

In the market, it sparked a bidding war for U.S. rights, with Netflix securing the film for the territory in a record-breaking seven-figure domestic deal brokered by Goodfellas and CAA Media Finance.

In Europe, the film has also sold to Benelux (Cinéart), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Germany and Austria (Pandora Film), Greece (Rosebud), UK & Ireland (Altitude), Italy (Movies Inspired), Scandinavia (Another World), Portugal (Nitrato Filmes), Bulgaria (Cinelibri), Yugoslavia (MCF), Hungary (Mozinet), Czech Republic (Aero Films), Romania (Independenta), Baltic States (A-One Films) and Poland (Gutek Film).

In the rest of the world, it has been acquired for Israel (New Cinemas), Latin America (Cine Video y TV), Australia and New Zealand (Rialto Distribution), Japan (Transformer), South Korea (Challan), Taiwan (ifilm), Hong Kong (Edko), India (Impact Films), Thailand (Sahamongkol), Singapore (Anticipate Pictures), the Philippines (FDCP) and Airlines (Skeye).

La Bola Negra is an original film by Movistar Plus+ Film and Suma Content Films in co-production with El Deseo and Le Pacte, with the participation of Atresmedia.

Netflix will release the film on October 16.

Netflix to Release Penelope Cruz-Starrer La Bola Negra in Theaters in October

Penelope Cruz’s latest project will be released sooner than expected…

Netflix has moved up the theatrical release date of its Cannes winner La Bola Negra, starring the 52-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actress, to October 16, with a drop on the streaming service set for December 2.

Penelope Cruz, La Bola NegraThat gives the Los Javis-directed movie a 46-day theatrical window, the longest ever for the streamer ahead of the 30 days given Noah Baumbach’s Oscar winner Marriage Story in 2019.  

La Bola Negra is receiving a U.S. platform release.

Netflix also has scooped up the rights to La Bola Negra in Canada, where the film has been selected for the Toronto Film Festival’s Special Presentations section. Cruz will receive a Special Tribute Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards.

The film, which won the Best Director award at Cannes for Javier Ambrosia and Javier Calvo (known as Los Javis).

La Bola Negra spans nearly a century of Spanish history from the 1930s to modern day. The film tells the story of three men whose lives are intimately connected through desire, pain and inheritance.

La Bola Negra received a 20-minute standing ovation at its Cannes world premiere.

Said the filmmakers in a joint statement: “When we began writing La Bola Negra, we wanted to tell a story about freedom, legacy, and the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility. Above all, we wanted to honor the generations of people whose courage and sacrifice made our freedoms possible today.”

They added, “We couldn’t imagine a better home than Netflix to bring this story to audiences across the United States. We are deeply grateful and excited that its message will reach millions of viewers and help carry Federico García Lorca’s legacy to audiences around the world. This is the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter for La Bola Negra, and we can’t wait for audiences to discover it.”

La Bola Negra‘s cast includes Spanish music star Guitarricadelafuente making his acting debut, Elite star Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Duenas, Julio Torres and Glenn Close.

Los Javis co-wrote La Bola Negra with Alberto Conejero and produced alongside Jorge Pezzi.

La Bola Negra is the first feature from Calvo and Ambrossi since 2017’s Holy Camp! The duo’s last project was the Movistar Plus+ series La Mesías (2023), which premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival and screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

Penelope Cruz to Receive Tribute Award at Toronto International Film Festival

It’s a special invitation for Penelope Cruz.

The 52-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actress will receive a special Tribute Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Penelope CruzCruz will be receiving the TIFF Special Tribute Award, presented by Chanel, alongside filmmaker Lee Chang-dong, Misty Green actress Rosalind Eleazar, CODA Oscar-winning filmmaker Siân Heder and French actress Isabelle Huppert

Cruz has two titles at this year’s fest: La Bola Negra and Florian Zeller’s Bunker. and she’ll be receiving the TIFF Special Tribute Award presented by Chanel.

Cruz took home a 2009 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. C

Her upcoming projects include director Isabel Coixet’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s The Days of Abandonment, the thriller Day Drinker and Nancy Meyers’ untitled theatrical Christmas 2027 release.

The Special Tribute Award recognizes an individual who has made an extraordinary and unique contribution to the world of film, leaving a lasting legacy through their dedication and artistry.

Previous recipients include Lee Byung Hun, Zacharias Kunuk and Jafar Panahi (2025), Zhao Tao (2024), Andy Lau(2023), Dionne Warwick (2021) and David Foster (2019). Related Stories

“Now in its eighth year, the TIFF Tribute Awards celebrates some of cinema’s most exciting artists at an event dedicated to the transformative power of film,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “From the captivating performances of Isabelle Huppert, Penélope Cruz and Rosalind Eleazar to Lee Chang-dong and Siân Heder’s vital filmmaking, each has shown a profound impact on screen storytelling. It’s our privilege to recognize their achievements as we gather to celebrate another exceptional year in film and rally support for TIFF’s ongoing work.”

The TIFF Tribute Awards will take place on Sunday, September 13 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.