Upiro

Upiro
Theatrical release poster
Directed byÓscar Martín
Screenplay byElena Muñoz
Produced by
  • Elena Muñoz
  • Diego Rodriguez
Starring
CinematographyAlberto Morago
Edited by
  • Luis de la Madrid
  • Carlos De Visa
Music byGary Moonboots
Production
companies
  • El Ojo Mecánico
  • La Charito Films
  • OKAYSS
Distributed bySelectaVisión [es]
Release dates
  • 18 September 2026 (2026-09-18) (Fantastic Fest)
  • 19 February 2027 (2027-02-19) (Spain)
Running time
106 minutes
Countries
  • Spain
  • Belgium
LanguageSpanish

Upiro is a 2026 historical thriller supernatural horror film directed by Óscar Martín. Inspired by the first documented case of vampirism in the Iberian Peninsula as documented by the Catholic Church, it follows Ana, who is sent to a remote monastery to atone for her sins.

The film had its world premiere in Fantastic Fest on 18 September 2026.

Synopsis

Inspired by a historical case reportedly recognized by the Catholic Church as vampirism, the film explores the clash between superstition and the ideas of the Enlightenment.

Set in Spain in 1755, the film follows Ana, a young woman who is sent to an isolated monastery where several novices are suffering from a mysterious blood disease. An unconventional Franciscan priest investigates the strange events and suspects that an ancient supernatural force is responsible. As Ana becomes caught between religious faith, desire and fear, the monastery is threatened by a bloodthirsty vampire-like presence.

Cast

Production

The project was a triple winner at Ventana Sur's 2021 Blood Window, it won the invitations to the next Sitges Pitchbox and Network of Asian Fantastic Films and BIFAN Industry Gathering at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and Cine Qua Non Lab prize of initial script analysis, a consultancy and a follow-up session valued at $3,000.

In April 2023, the project featured in the Proof of Concept Presentation at the Frontières Platform, set up at Cannes by Marché du Film, co-organised with the Fantasia International Film Festival. In August 2023, it was selected in 2023 Sanfic-Mórbido Lab lineup at Santiago International Film Festival.

In February 2025, Wallimage fund of Belgium supported the film which is co-produced by Belgian production company Okayss.

In December 2025, the film got the selective support of €675,000 from Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts.

Santa Maria, Manresa, one of the location of the film
Sant Pere de Casserres, another location of the film

The film shot in May 2025 for four weeks in locations around old Catalan landmarks, including the Convent of Sant Francesc de Paula [es], the Santa Maria, Manresa, and the Sant Pere de Casserres, uses rich, detailed visuals to strengthen its gothic and supernatural setting.

Release

Upiro had its world premiere in Fantastic Fest on 18 September 2026, and its West Coast Premiere at the Beyond Fest on 28 September 2026.

Subsequently it competed in Official Fantastic In-Competition Selection on 11 October 2026 at the 59th Sitges Film Festival.

The film will be released in Spanish theatres by SelectaVisión [es] on 19 February 2027.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Spanish Talent Takes Sitges 2026 by Storm with Horror, Science Fiction, and Fresh New Takes on Genre". Sitges Film Festival. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Upiro". Ministry of Culture (Spain). 3 March 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Arturo Tena (19 August 2026). "Las españolas 'Upiro' y '5 minutos más', seleccionadas en el Fantastic Fest" [The Spanish films 'Upiro' and '5 minutos más' were selected for Fantastic Fest]. Cine con Ñ (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Mack Rivera, Andrew (3 December 2021). "Blood Window Awards 2021: Óscar Martín's UPIRO Impresses LAB Jury". ScreenAnarchy . Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  5. ↑ John Hopewell (3 December 2021). "Ayelen,' 'Journey,' 'Berg's Books,' 'Upiro' Win Big at Ventana Sur". Variety. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Economou, Vassilis (6 April 2023). "Frontières Platform announces its line-up of genre film projects for the Marché du Film". Cineuropa. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Anna Marie De La Fuente (7 August 2023). "Vampires Overrun Morbido-Sanfic Lab, From Ventana Sur Triple Winner 'Upiro' to Documentary 'The Window Vampire' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Engelen, Aurore (28 February 2025). "Wallimage supports Thomas Ancora's L'Ordre Pourpre". Cineuropa. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Rivera, Alfonso (16 December 2025). "Spain's ICAA throws its weight behind 98 projects through its 2025 selective support". Cineuropa. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Se rueda la coproducción de España y Bélgica 'Upiro', de Oscar Martín, producida por El Ojo Mecánico, La Charito y Okayss" [The Spanish-Belgian co-production 'Upiro', directed by Oscar Martín and produced by El Ojo Mecánico, La Charito and Okayss, is being filmed]. Audiovisual451 (in Spanish). 22 May 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  11. ↑ Zilko, Christian (18 August 2026). "Fantastic Fest Unveils 2026 Lineup Headlined by 'Resident Evil,' 'Carrie,' and 'Wild Horse Nine'". IndieWire. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Upiro". Fantastic Fest. 18 August 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  13. ↑ Collins, Chad (18 September 2026). "Gothic Horror 'Upiro' to Premiere at Fantastic Fest". Dread Central.
  14. ↑ "Upiro film". Sitges Film Festival. 23 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  15. ↑ "'Upiro', la esperada película de Óscar Martín inspirada en el primer caso de vampirismo documentado en España, llegará a los cines el 19 de febrero de 2027" ['Upiro, Óscar Martín's Highly Anticipated Film Inspired By The First Documented Case Of Vampirism In Spain, Wiill Arrive In Cinemas On February 19, 2027]. SelectaVisión. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.