Special screening and discussion of “They Call Me the Panzer ” at CIIF Market 2025
- The film about the life of footballer Rommel Fernández , an iconic figure of CD Tenerife , will be screened at the new Espacio Price in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with the presence of his creative team.
- This activity is part of the program for the 21st edition of Canary Islands International Film Market , which will be held in the capital of Tenerife from October 27 to 31 .
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, October 27, 2025. Within the framework of the CIIF Market 2025 , the new Espacio Price will host the special screening of the film next Thursday, October 30 at 8:00 p.m. “They Call Me the Panzer , ” directed by Panamanian filmmaker Rodrigo Quintero Arauz , followed by a discussion with part of his creative team.
The film, which participated in CIIF Market 2018 as one of the most notable projects of its edition, now returns consolidated after its successful international run , thus closing a cycle that unites its development with the market that promoted its birth.
“They Call Me Panzer” is a biographical drama inspired by the life of legendary Panamanian and Tenerife footballer Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez, one of the most beloved figures of Club Deportivo Tenerife and Panamanian football in the 1980s and 1990s.
The film, shot in locations across the island such as Tenerife Norte, the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium, Las Teresitas beach, and Tomé Cano Street, pays tribute to the player’s connection to Tenerife and the legacy he left behind in the sport and in the collective memory.
Set in Panama in 1986, the film follows Rommel , nicknamed “Cabezón,” a young man who dreams of becoming a professional soccer player while facing the difficulties of his family and social environment. His determination and talent will lead him to transform his life and become “El Panzer “, a symbol of struggle, humility, and perseverance.
The feature film had its world premiere at the 55th International Film Festival of India (2024) and was recognized as Best Foreign Film at the Oriana Awards in Spain, consolidating its international trajectory and its emotional impact among audiences in different countries.
Following the screening, a discussion will take place with the film’s team , featuring Jairo Ramos , producer and screenwriter ( Infocus Video Factory, Panama); Marco Toledo , executive producer (La Chola Creativa, Spain); Viviana Caló , associate producer ( Bibika Films, Spain); and Marta Solís , composer. The conversation, led by Emilio Ramal , Cultural Coordinator and programmer at TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes), will provide a closer look at the challenges, creative processes, and anecdotes behind this exciting story of film and football.
“This film, made with the support of Ibermedia and the National Film Fund of Panama, also belongs to the people of Tenerife . Rommel left his mark not only on football, but also on the hearts of those who saw him play and on the streets where his name is still remembered,” he notes . director Rodrigo Quintero.
This screening during CIIF Market 2025 will be a unique opportunity to celebrate, from Tenerife, the life and legacy of Rommel Fernández, the footballer who united Panama and the Canary Islands through sport, film, and shared emotion.
📅 Thursday, October 30, 8:00 PM
📍 Espacio Price – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
🎟️ Free admission until full capacity. Pre-register at this link.
The 21st edition of Canary Islands International Film Market , which is taking place from October 27 to 31 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife , is promoted by Festeam , Communication and Events , and is sponsored by the Tenerife Island Council , through the Department of Culture, Museums and Sports; the Government of the Canary Islands , through the Canary Islands Institute for Cultural Development, Canary Islands Islands Film and PROEXCA; and the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council , through the Development Society and Macaronesia Films; with the collaboration of Tenerife Tourism Corporation , through the Tenerife Film Commission ; and the Canary Islands Audiovisual Cluster , among other entities.
