Goya-Nominated Zoe Bonafonte Leads Spain-Argentina Soccer Pioneer Drama ‘Veleta’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Goya-nominated actress Zoe Bonafonte will play Ana "Nita" Carmona Ruiz, considered Spain's first female footballer, in "Veleta", a Spain-Argentina co-production now filming in Andalusia. The period drama, directed and co-written by Paco Torres and co-written by "Red Queen" showrunner Amaya Muruzábal, dramatises Carmona's efforts to play football in early 20th-century Málaga by disguising herself as a man, at a time when the sport was closed to women. The project highlights a little-known chapter of women's sporting history and brings together a notable cast and creative team from both Spain and Argentina.

Set in Málaga from 1917, the film also stars Goya winner Dani Rovira as Carmona's father and "Vikings" actor Moe Dunford, alongside a wider ensemble including Javier Morgade, Martin Urrutia and Adelfa Calvo. It is produced by Blend Studios, Muruzábal's M Content, Nephilim Producciones and Argentina's Lahaye Media, with funding from Andalusian broadcaster RTVA and backing from Spain's ICAA, the Málaga Provincial Council and football club Málaga CF. Shooting began in July across several Andalusian locations and is due to wrap in mid-August, with release slated for 2027.