‘La Lucha’ Receives an Emotional First Public Screening in Fuerteventura
The preview screening of José Alayón’s feature film, shot entirely on the island, filled the Yelmo cinema in Caleta de Fuste.
The audience was welcomed by the film’s leading actors Yazmina Estupiñán, Tomasín Padrón and Inés Cano, together with director José Alayón and executive producer and co-writer Marina Alberti.
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
José Alayón’s feature film La Lucha held its official preview screening in Fuerteventura this Tuesday, the island where it was filmed in its entirety. The Yelmo Cineplex cinemas in Caleta de Fuste (Antigua) successfully hosted the film’s first public screening in the Canary Islands following its international festival run, during which it received critical acclaim and several distinctions.
The special event brought together the film’s principal cast members, including Tomasín Padrón, Yazmina Estupiñán and Inés Cano, who shared their excitement at presenting such a meaningful project in front of family, friends and local audiences.
Also in attendance were wrestlers who took part in the production as performers, along with director José Alayón, executive producer and co-writer Marina Alberti, producers and members of the production team.
José Alayón highlighted the anticipation surrounding the film:
“I have spent a long time working on this project, and throughout the process I often wondered how it would be received by the people of the Canary Islands and Fuerteventura. Now that the moment has arrived, we are excited, nervous and, above all, very happy.”
The event was also attended by Nereida Calero, Councillor responsible for the Fuerteventura Film Commission; Horacio Umpiérrez, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands; and Lorena Hernández, Director General for Traditional Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands.
According to Nereida Calero:
“There is great excitement and expectation surrounding this film. For the Fuerteventura Film Commission, it is important to see more and more productions being filmed entirely on the island, which is why we support special screenings such as this one. It is also a source of pride because the film not only showcases our landscapes, light, scenery and climate, but also promotes our culture and identity through something as deeply rooted in our heritage as Canarian wrestling.”
Horacio Umpiérrez emphasised the importance of the audiovisual sector in the archipelago:
“In 2024, the audiovisual industry generated €184 million across the Canary Islands through the production of 145 projects, and those figures continue to grow in 2025. We are experiencing some of the strongest years in the history of the sector. This film is particularly special because it focuses on themes closely connected to Canarian culture, bringing local stories to the big screen.”
Lorena Hernández highlighted the significance of the production for traditional sport:
“José Alayón has given us the opportunity to bring Canarian wrestling to the cinema for the first time. It is a very important day for the Canary Islands and for this sport.”
Following the screening, a discussion panel featuring José Alayón and the film’s lead actors was held, moderated by journalist Juan Manuel Bethencourt. The activity was organised with the support of the Fuerteventura Film Commission.
About
La Lucha
Miguel (Tomasín Padrón) and his daughter Mariana (Yazmina Estupiñán) struggle to move forward after the death of Miguel’s wife, a loss that has left them emotionally adrift. In their search for meaning and belonging, they find refuge in Canarian wrestling, which becomes both their sanctuary and their way of reconnecting with the world around them.
With La Lucha, José Alayón brings together two recurring themes in his work: the exploration of family relationships and a reflection on collective identity.
The production involved more than 300 extras from Fuerteventura and made a conscious commitment to authenticity by casting real wrestlers in many of the key roles. This required an extensive casting process to find athletes capable of bringing the film’s characters to life while preserving the genuine spirit of the sport.
