The Director of American Star Returns to Fuerteventura to Film His New Feature
Director Gonzalo López-Gallego has returned to Fuerteventura to shoot The Tea Garden (El Jardín de Té), his latest feature film production.
Fuerteventura once again serves as the backdrop for a major audiovisual project with the filming of The Tea Garden, a thriller and science-fiction feature directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego. Over recent weeks, the production team has been working intensively across various locations on the island and is scheduled to return at the end of the summer to complete additional filming.
The project also marks López-Gallego’s return to Fuerteventura following the production of American Star in 2022, a feature film shot entirely on the island that helped strengthen Fuerteventura’s reputation as an international filming destination.
According to Nereida Calero, Councillor responsible for the Fuerteventura Film Commission, the return of acclaimed filmmakers to the island is particularly significant.
“The fact that directors with the experience and reputation of Gonzalo López-Gallego choose to return to Fuerteventura is one of the strongest endorsements of the work being carried out to consolidate the island as a leading audiovisual destination.”
Calero added:
“Not only do we offer unique landscapes, but also a network of services, professionals and resources that make productions easier to develop. When a production company chooses to return, it is recognising a positive experience that generates employment, economic activity and new opportunities for the local audiovisual sector.”
The film combines suspense, emotion and science fiction in a visually ambitious and narratively compelling project. Fuerteventura’s volcanic landscapes, exceptional natural light and diverse scenery play a central role in the story, becoming one of the film’s main settings.
A Highly Experienced Creative Team
The project is led by Gonzalo López-Gallego, director, screenwriter and producer, widely regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Spanish cinema.
The cast is headed by Andrés Gertrúdix, one of Spain’s most respected and versatile actors, with an extensive career spanning film, television and theatre.
The crew also includes Yraya Perdomo as First Assistant Director and Script Supervisor. Perdomo has worked on numerous national and international productions filmed in the Canary Islands and specialises in production coordination and audiovisual team management.
The film’s cinematography is overseen by José David Montero, whose work is recognised for its visual sensitivity and ability to create powerful cinematic atmospheres through light and visual storytelling, key elements in the film’s aesthetic identity.
Production is led by Mantarraya Films, an independent production company committed to developing high-quality cinematic projects with a strong focus on innovation and artistic excellence.
Following this initial stage of filming in Fuerteventura, production will continue in other locations across the Canary Islands and in Asturias, before returning to Fuerteventura at the end of the summer, where an important part of the shoot will be completed.