Carlos Atanes
Directing
Carlos Atanes (Barcelona, 1971) is a Spanish filmmaker, writer and playwright whose work occupies a singular place in European underground cinema. Since the late 1980s, he has built a distinctive artistic universe that combines science fiction, fantasy, surrealism and philosophical inquiry, becoming one of the most recognisable cult auteurs of contemporary Spanish cinema. Among his most acclaimed works are the dystopian science-fiction films "FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions" and "Proxima", as well as the surreal and deeply underground "Maximum Shame" and "Gallino, the Chicken System", which established him as one of the most uncompromising voices in contemporary European cult cinema. His films have often provoked strongly divided reactions, being celebrated by admirers for their originality and audacity while dismissed by detractors as deliberately provocative and inaccessible. Works such as "The Metamorphosis of Franz Kafka" and "Perdurabo (Where is Aleister Crowley?)" reveal his enduring interest in literature and esotericism, while "Báthory" (2026) sees him moving further into experimental cinema through a more abstract and formally daring approach. Throughout his career, Atanes has remained fiercely independent, building a body of work distinguished by its originality, intellectual ambition and complete artistic freedom.
Known for
Directing21
movieBáthory
2026
Director
movieAutofocus
2025
Director
movieAlter Ego Film Project
2024
Director
movieRomance bizarro
2018
Director
movieNecrofilia fina
2013
Director
movieMaximum Shame
2010
Director
movieScream Queen
2009
Director
moviePróxima
2007
Director
movieCodex Atanicus
2007
Director
movieWelcome to Spain
1999
Director
movieThe Seven Hills of Rome
1999
Director
movieBorneo
1997
Director
movieMorfing
1996
Director
movieMetaminds & Metabodies
1995
Director
movieEl Tenor Mental
1993
Director
La ira
1989
Director
Writing18
movieAutofocus
2025
Writer
movieRomance bizarro
2018
Writer
movieNecrofilia fina
2013
Writer
movieMaximum Shame
2010
Writer
movieScream Queen
2009
Writer
moviePróxima
2007
Writer
movieCodex Atanicus
2007
Writer
movieBorneo
1997
Writer
movieMorfing
1996
Writer
La ira
1989
Writer
Production12
movieBáthory
2026
Producer
movieAlter Ego Film Project
2024
Executive Producer, Casting, Producer
movieScrying Session #1
2023
Executive Producer
movieLes Fées Vertes
2023
Executive Producer
movieAnna’s Film
2023
Executive Producer
movieNecrofilia fina
2013
Producer
movieMaximum Shame
2010
Producer
movieScream Queen
2009
Producer
movieCodex Atanicus
2007
Producer
movieMorfing
1996
Executive Producer
Editing8
Acting3
Crew3
movieBáthory
2026
Cinematography
movieAlter Ego Film Project
2024
Cinematography
movieScream Queen
2009
Cinematography
Sound3
Art1
movieAlter Ego Film Project
2024
Production Design
Visual Effects1
movieGallino, the Chicken System
2012
Visual Effects