DOCanarias Puerto de la Cruz 2026 – Full Programme
DOCanarias – Festival Internacional de Cine de Realidad de Canarias returns to Puerto de la Cruz from 8 to 12 September 2026, bringing five days of international and Canary Islands non-fiction cinema to the town.
The main public screenings take place at Sala Timanfaya, with a programme of 10 films exploring themes including memory, identity, territory, history and contemporary society.
The 2026 edition includes premieres in the Canary Islands and Spain, films that have previously appeared at major international festivals, discussions with filmmakers and the parallel X Foro AFROLATAM, connecting cinema professionals from the Canary Islands, Africa and Latin America.
DOCanarias Puerto de la Cruz 2026 programme
The 2026 programme combines an international competition with Canary Islands productions and special screenings.
The international programme includes films from Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Kenya, the United States and France, while a special showcase on Wednesday focuses on Cabo Verde.
Friday is dedicated to Canary Islands cinema, while the festival closes on Saturday with a special programme dedicated to acclaimed Mexican-Salvadoran filmmaker Tatiana Huezo.
Many screenings are also accompanied by conversations with directors, producers, actors or other members of the films' creative teams.
DOCanarias 2026 dates and venue
- Dates: 8–12 September 2026
- Main venue: Sala Timanfaya, Puerto de la Cruz
- Films: 10
- X Foro AFROLATAM: 9–11 September 2026
Most public film screenings are scheduled in two evening sessions at 18:00 and 20:30, making the festival easy to include in an evening in Puerto de la Cruz.
Tuesday 8 September
18:00 – Che Guevara: The Last Companion
Directed by Christophe Dimitri Réveille, the documentary revisits the story of Che Guevara's surviving companions in Bolivia following his death in 1967, combining archive material, animation and interviews.
20:30 – El partido
Directed by Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco, El partido uses the famous Argentina v England match at the 1986 World Cup as a starting point for a wider exploration of the history and tensions between the two countries.
A discussion linked to the screening includes producer Fernanda Pérez.
Wednesday 9 September – Cabo Verde
Wednesday's programme is dedicated to Cabo Verde, the guest country for this part of the 2026 festival.
18:00 – Amílcar
Director Miguel Eek presents this film about Amílcar Cabral, one of the central figures in the anti-colonial movements of Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde.
The screening is followed by a conversation with the director.
20:30 – Nós, povo das ilhas
Directed by Elson Santos and Lara Sousa, the film begins with a forgotten photograph of Cape Verdean guerrillas training in Cuba and explores the history of the country's anti-colonial struggle.
Co-director Lara Sousa will meet the audience following the screening.
Thursday 10 September
18:00 – Un hijo propio
Directed by Chilean filmmaker Maite Alberdi, the film follows the extraordinary consequences of a woman pretending to be pregnant following personal loss and social pressure surrounding motherhood.
The screening is accompanied by a discussion with actress Ángeles Cruz.
20:30 – Kikuyu Land
Kikuyu Land, by Bea Wangondu and Andrew H Brown, explores family memory, land and the legacy of British colonialism in Kenya.
Co-director Bea Wangondu will take part in a discussion with the audience following the screening.
Friday 11 September – Canary Islands cinema
Friday puts Canary Islands filmmakers at the centre of the programme.
18:00 – La Berma
Gran Canaria director Agustín Domínguez presents La Berma, following a young Sahrawi refugee involved in demining work around the military barrier dividing Western Sahara.
The director will take part in a discussion with the audience.
20:30 – El mapa para tocarte
La Palma filmmaker Mercedes Afonso presents a deeply personal documentary created over 12 years, following her relationship with her son and using filmmaking as a way of observing and understanding their shared experience.
Both films form part of the festival's D.O. Canaria programme.
Saturday 12 September – Tatiana Huezo and closing night
The final day of DOCanarias 2026 is dedicated to the work of Mexican-Salvadoran filmmaker Tatiana Huezo, recipient of the festival's Narrativa Personal 2026 award.
Tempestad
Tempestad follows two women affected by violence and injustice in Mexico and is one of Huezo's most internationally recognised documentaries.
After the screening, Huezo will meet the audience at approximately 18:45.
El eco
The festival closes with El eco, Huezo's acclaimed portrait of childhood and family life in an isolated rural community in Mexico.
The closing gala will also include the presentation of the Narrativa Personal award in recognition of Huezo's career and distinctive contribution to non-fiction cinema.
X Foro AFROLATAM – 9 to 11 September
DOCanarias is also much more than its public film screenings.
The X Foro AFROLATAM takes place from 9 to 11 September, bringing together filmmakers, institutions, training organisations, film funds and other audiovisual professionals from the Canary Islands, Africa and Latin America.
The forum focuses on cooperation, financing, training, distribution and the development of documentary and reality-based cinema across the Atlantic.
Activities include professional discussions and networking, with part of the programme also extending to Lago Martiánez.
DOCanarias 2026 tickets
Tickets for the public film screenings at Sala Timanfaya can be reserved online.
Current official festival information lists screening tickets at approximately €2–€3.
Check the official DOCanarias website for tickets and the latest programme.
Because capacity at Sala Timanfaya is limited, booking in advance is recommended for screenings you particularly want to attend.
Planning your visit
Sala Timanfaya is in central Puerto de la Cruz, making the festival accessible for visitors staying in the town.
The main public programme runs over five days from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 September.
Most film days use two evening screening slots, normally at 18:00 and 20:30, although Saturday's closing programme has additional activity surrounding the Tatiana Huezo presentation.
Several screenings include discussions with directors, producers, actors or other filmmakers, so visitors should allow extra time after the film where a conversation has been announced.
The programme includes films in different languages and from several countries. Check the official ticket information for individual screening and subtitle details before booking.
Frequently asked questions
When is DOCanarias 2026?
DOCanarias takes place in Puerto de la Cruz from 8 to 12 September 2026.
Where is DOCanarias held?
The main public film screenings take place at Sala Timanfaya in Puerto de la Cruz.
How many films are being shown?
The 2026 public programme includes 10 films.
What time are the films shown?
Most days have two public screenings, normally at 18:00 and 20:30.
How much are tickets?
The festival currently lists public screening tickets at approximately €2–€3. Check the official booking page for the individual screening you want to attend.
What is the X Foro AFROLATAM?
The X Foro AFROLATAM is the professional part of DOCanarias, bringing together filmmakers and audiovisual organisations from the Canary Islands, Africa and Latin America from 9 to 11 September 2026.
Is there Canary Islands cinema in the programme?
Yes. Friday 11 September features the D.O. Canaria programme with La Berma by Agustín Domínguez and El mapa para tocarte by Mercedes Afonso.
Who is the special guest in 2026?
Mexican-Salvadoran filmmaker Tatiana Huezo is the recipient of the 2026 Narrativa Personal award and features prominently in the closing programme on Saturday 12 September.
