Premiere of the documentary on the Ibarretxe brothers with the participation of ECPV

After the untimely passing of the Ibarretxe brothers—Javi, Josemi, and Esteban—their cinematic legacy seemed frozen in time. But is it really? Jone Ibarretxe, daughter of Josemi, embarks on a personal and cinematic journey to rediscover the Ibarretxe Universe and the indelible mark left by their production company, Ibarretxe & Co.

Pioneers in the Basque audiovisual sector, the Ibarretxe brothers were true visionaries—irreverent, passionate, and unafraid to challenge conventions. At a time when Basque cinema struggled to find its place, they refused to wait for external opportunities and instead created their own "Bilbollywood"—a unique cinematic movement made in Euskadi, with its own identity and without compromises. While many Basque filmmakers sought better conditions abroad, they transformed their passion into an unprecedented production company, shaping the history of Basque cinema.

In this documentary, Jone Ibarretxe delves into memories, conversations, and testimonies of those who knew the brothers, attempting to unravel the mystery behind their approach to filmmaking. Through an analysis of their filmography and dialogues with colleagues, friends, and industry experts, she seeks to discover whether the "Ibarretxe Mystery" continues to exist beyond their passing.

What starts as a quest for answers turns into a tribute to a unique way of making films—free, rebellious, and deeply personal. As Jone progresses in her journey, she comes to realize that the essence of Ibarretxe cinema is nothing more than a reflection of the brothers themselves: a universe filled with humor, surrealism, boundless creativity, and an unconditional love for storytelling in the most unexpected ways.

What starts as a quest for answers turns into a tribute to a unique way of making films—free, rebellious, and deeply personal. As Jone progresses in her journey, she comes to realize that the essence of Ibarretxe cinema is nothing more than a reflection of the brothers themselves: a universe filled with humor, surrealism, boundless creativity, and an unconditional love for storytelling in the most unexpected ways.

The documentary features contributions from esteemed film professionals from ECPV, including Ainara López, film editing professor; Mireia Eunate, assistant director; and Nerea Falagan, former photography student and director of photography for the project. Their perspectives help reconstruct the essence of Ibarretxe cinema and highlight its lasting impact on Basque audiovisual history.