On June 13th, the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute hosted a special screening of The Quinta’s Ghost, a Spanish short film selected for the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, at NeueHouse.

The Tribeca Film Festival is one of the most influential platforms for independent cinema in the world. Films selected to the official program command international prestige in a festival celebrating artistic innovation, cultural relevance, and cinematic excellence.

Directed by James A. Castillo, The Quinta’s Ghost is a bold, animated interpretation of Goya’s inner world—an ambitious work that blends psychological horror and historical imagination. Its inclusion in this year’s lineup recognizes the film’s creative depth.

The evening began with opening remarks by Isabel Rivero, Senior Media and Program Development Manager of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute followed by Pedro Calvo-Sotelo, Consul for Cultural Affairs at the Consulate General of Spain in New York, who introduced the film and reflected on the enduring relevance of Francisco de Goya’s work. His remarks provided context for the screening.

The screening was followed by a thought-provoking conversation moderated by The New York Times journalist Sarah Maslin Nir. Joining her were director, James A. Castillo, and Goya Research Center Fellow, María Minuesa Sicilia. Together they explored the film’s creative genesis and the artistic and technical challenges involved in translating Francisco de Goya’s haunting vision into the film.

The Quinta’s Ghost imagines the psychological landscape that may have influenced Goya as he painted the legendary Black Paintings in 1823. The film’s ambitious animation approach brings to life the darkness, solitude, and raw intensity that define this final period of Goya’s work.

The evening concluded with a powerful flamenco-jazz performance by Franz Hackl & Friends: Ricardo Gareau, Tim Ries, and dancer Cristina Candela.