Neus Flores
Dani Feixas is a Spanish filmmaker whose career trajectory reflects the spirit of perseverance and passion for storytelling. His short film Paris 70 has not only received numerous accolades worldwide, including awards in the USA, Panama, France, Argentina, and Canada, but has also sparked important conversations about Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving, and memory.
Nominated for prestigious film awards such as the Goya Awards, Gaudi Awards, and recently shortlisted for an Oscar, Paris 70 has resonated deeply with audiences, particularly within the Alzheimer’s community.
Feixas, who brings over 15 years of experience in the audiovisual industry, shares insights into his journey, the challenges of filmmaking in Spain, and his plans for the future.
In this interview, we explore his motivations, the impact of Paris 70, and his perspective on Spanish cinema.
Q1: Why did you decide to become a filmmaker in Spain?
Like many kids, I was always fascinated by cinema. At around 18, I started experimenting with shooting short films, and I quickly realized that it was something I could actually pursue. Interestingly, nobody in my family or in my village had worked in cinema before, but with the advent of #digital filmmaking, I saw an opportunity to make it happen. Luckily, my father had some cameras at home, so I started practicing and learning on my own. My path was #unconventional—though I worked in publicity, music videos, TV programs, and documentaries, I eventually collaborated with production companies, which helped me transition into becoming a full-time director. However, living exclusively from cinema in Spain is quite difficult, and I had to sustain myself through other work in between.
Paris 70 became a return to my childhood #dream of filmmaking, a moment where I could bring together everything I had learned over 15 years of shooting experience. All of those lessons helped me craft the film with the right technical approach, blending personal inspiration with professional growth.
Q2: How would you explain Paris 70 to someone who hasn’t seen it yet?
Paris 70 is a deeply emotional, family-oriented love story between a mother and her son. The mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, requires care from her son, who is an untrained caregiver learning to cope with her illness in real time. In Spain, it’s very common for families to care for elderly loved ones, but we usually plan to fully care for our children, and not so much for our aging parents. And yet, suddenly, you find yourself in that role, which can be overwhelming. This personal story mirrors my own experience—my mother cared for my grandmother, and eventually, I had to care for her when she became ill.
The mother character in the film repeats the same sentence over and over, asking for her late husband. Her son, in a delicate moment, tells her the truth: that her husband has passed away, and that she buried him herself. But instead of continuing with the painful truth, a doctor (played by Spanish actress Neus Asensi in the film) advises him to offer his mother a “therapeutic lie,” a white lie designed to ease her pain. The son then creates a dreamlike world for his mother, full of beautiful memories, trips, and family experiences shown in her old pictures, leading her away from the whirlpool of painful thoughts about her late husband.
I consulted with Alzheimer’s professionals to ensure the portrayal of the disease was as accurate and honest as possible, says Feixas, as each patient reacts differently—some become grumpy, while others, like in the case of our film, become more playful. The film has received positive feedback from over 80 Alzheimer’s associations, mental health conferences, and hospitals worldwide. We’ve even had screenings at prestigious universities and health courses. But what’s more gratifying is that the focus of the film is not so much on the patient but mostly on the #caregiver—so the film is ultimately uplifting and emotionally inspiring, almost like a hug.
Q3: Was the shortlisting to the Oscars a big surprise for you?
Yes, absolutely. It’s still surreal to think that we made it to the Oscars shortlist. Honestly, I never imagined something like this would happen. I was told it’s incredibly difficult to achieve this level of #recognition, but up until now, not much has changed in my daily life, except that I’m filled with happiness and emotion. I got the news from a friend who messaged me on WhatsApp to congratulate me. It took me a moment to process it, and I remember shortly smiling.
The journey leading up to this point has involved a lot of promotion, attending festivals, and screenings—all of which are rewarding, but also exhausting. Yet, the hard work has clearly paid off. Out of 180+ short films from all over the world, we’re among the top 15 finalists, and now, we await to see if we can make it to the final #nomination. If that happens, it will truly be a game-changer for my career. Fingers crossed!
Q4: Do you think Spanish cinema is in a good place today, or was it in a better place in the past?
Spanish cinema is definitely thriving right now, and I believe it’s in a better position than ever before. Spanish films are receiving recognition at major international film festivals like Berlinale, Cannes, and Venice. Many Spanish filmmakers—whether shooting in Catalan, Galician, Basque, or Spanish, which are Spain´s official languages—are gaining global recognition. Catalan director Carla Simón’s film Alcarràs, Sorogoyen’s As Bestas, and Almodóvar’s works are just a few examples of how our films are resonating across the world. The diversity of languages and perspectives in Spanish cinema is currently opening new doors for the industry.
Moreover, Spanish audiences have become more receptive to films in regional languages and subtitles, which reflects the health of our cinema culture. The rise of Spanish women directors is also incredibly exciting, as they bring fresh ideas and new horizons to our storytelling.
Paris 70 has already been selected in over 180 festivals globally, winning 145 awards in the past year and a half. From conversations with international journalists, I’ve heard that Spanish cinema is considered a “lighthouse” in the world of film—shining a light on the future of cinema. It’s clear that Spanish cinema is currently not only surviving but #thriving, and the recognition we’re receiving proves that.
Q5: What subjects or themes for future movies are you interested in exploring?
I’m interested in exploring a wide range of subjects. For many years, I worked on behind-the-scenes footage for the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival, and I thought I’d eventually make a film in the fantasy genre. However, I ended up making a drama with Paris 70, which will evolve into a dramedy (a blend of drama and comedy) when adapted into a feature. The truth is, I focus more on the story itself than on the genre.
For me, filmmaking is about connecting with the human experience. The team I worked with on Paris 70 became like family. We developed a strong bond, and I’m excited to continue working with them on the feature-length version of our short film.
I’m also producing three additional short films by talented emerging Spanish directors: “Tito” Javier Celay, “Conecciones inesperadas” by Oscar Toribio, and “Angi” by Josep Varo, because I believe the future of cinema is very much in the short film market. The short film #circuit is much larger and more experimental than the feature film world, and it offers incredible opportunities for new ideas to flourish. Nowadays, even well-known established actors participate in short films, supporting new voices and helping them grow, which makes the medium all the more exciting.
Q6: Should you win the Oscar in February, what would that mean to you?
Winning an Oscar would be an unbelievable honor, not just for me, but for everyone involved in Paris 70. It would be the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to filmmaking, and it would bring attention to the themes of caregiving and Alzheimer’s that are so close to my heart. If we win, it would also mark a turning point in my career, opening doors to new opportunities. But ultimately, it would mean that the message we’ve shared with Paris 70—about the importance of #family, #love, and #patience—would reach an even wider audience.
Note from the author:
Dani Feixa’s Paris 70 is more than just a film—it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the profound impact cinema can have on audiences. With his career continuing to rise and exciting new projects in the works, Feixas’s work is poised to make an even greater impact on the world stage. Whether or not Paris 70 wins the Oscar, his vision for cinema remains rooted in deep human connections, tackling issues that touch us all, and sharing those stories with the world.
Article published by Washington Morning author Neus Flores.
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