Inma De Reyes’s The Boy and the Suit of Lights to premiere at Sheffield DocFest

In an exciting development for documentary cinema, The Boy and the Suit of Lights, directed by Inma De Reyes, is set to make its world premiere at the prestigious Sheffield Documentary Film Festival (Sheffield DocFest) on the 14^th June. This film, which has been entered into the International First Feature Competition, promises to offer a unique and poignant exploration of the life of a young bullfighter in Spain.

The documentary, produced by Aconite Productions in collaboration with Syndicado Film Sales, meticulously follows the journey of Borja, a boy from Castellon, a town known for its deep-rooted bullfighting tradition. Over five years, director De Reyes captures the essence of Borja’s life, focusing on the immense pressure he faces from his family, especially his grandfather Matias, who dreams of seeing Borja succeed as a professional bullfighter to lift the family out of poverty. Check out the brand-new poster here:

De Reyes, sharing her insights into the making of the film, said, The Boy and the Suit of Lights was filmed in my hometown, a small, traditional place on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.” She delves into the complex dynamics of tradition and progress, revealing, “I discovered there was a free School of Bullfighting where children would come and train weekly. When I met Borja, I began exploring the question of ‘Why would a family put their child in front of a bull?’”

Aimara Reques from Aconite Productions expressed pride in the project, stating, “Aconite Productions is proud to support and present Inma de Reyes’ ‘The Boy and the Suit of Lights’ at Sheffield DocFest 2024.” She highlighted the collaborative nature of the project and the support from financing partners including Screen Scotland, Chicken and Egg, Rustic Canyon and Women Make Movies.

The Boy and The Suit Of Lights not only delves into the world of bullfighting but also offers a coming-of-age story that navigates the complexities of family expectations, tradition and personal identity. With a runtime of 81 minutes, this UK-produced documentary is poised to captivate audiences with its intimate look at a young boy’s struggle to reconcile his family’s dreams with his own quest for self-discovery.

The film’s premiere at Sheffield DocFest marks a significant milestone for the filmmaker, whose previous work has been recognised at various film festivals around the world. This debut feature documentary promises to be a compelling addition to her body of work, offering a fresh perspective on the enduring and controversial tradition of bullfighting in Spain. 

The editorial unit

The Boy and the Suit of Lights will premiere at Sheffield DocFest on 14^th June 2024, for further information visit their website here.

Watch the trailer for The Boy and the Suit of Lights here: