La Orquesta del Conservatorio Paco de Lucía opens Fantástika at the Florida

The Orquesta del Conservatorio Profesional Paco de Lucía opened this afternoon at the Teatro Municipal Florida the 2026 edition of Algeciras Fantástika, the international festival of fantastic and horror arts held in the city until November 14. After the musical performance, the first films of this edition were screened, among them the feature film «La mala madre», directed by Alicia Albares. The festival is promoted by the Ayuntamiento de Algeciras and the Universidad de Cádiz (UCA), through the Campus Bahía de Algeciras. The director of Algeciras Fantástika is Ángel Gómez Rivero.

The addition of theatre is the main novelty this year. It thus joins a programme that already brought together film, literature and visual arts, and that expands its languages towards the performing arts. The film programme includes «Crawlers», the new production by the Algeciras filmmaker Ángel Gómez Hernández, which will be screened during the closing gala. That final day will also include the presentation of the Místicos awards and the recognitions to professionals linked to film. The opening event was attended by Jacinto Muñoz Madrid, first deputy mayor and councillor for Citizen Security, Urban Mobility and Personnel; Pilar Pintor Alonso, deputy mayor for Culture and Heritage; Susana Pérez Custodio, deputy mayor for Communication and Tourism; Javier Vázquez Hueso, councillor for Education, University and Environment, and Ángel Martínez, councillor for Beaches, Parks and Gardens. Representatives of the Universidad de Cádiz also attended. Muñoz noted in his speech that the festival has been taking a place in the cultural landscape of the city and thanked the involvement of the Universidad de Cádiz and the work of Gómez Rivero and the organising team. He also recalled the link between the Místicos recognitions and the work of the artist Nacho Falgueras.

The festival runs until November 14. The full programme of screenings, theatre and exhibitions can be consulted on the municipal website.