What will be analysed at the conference
The conference Paco Roca and comics in cinema, part of the XII International Film Music Congress, will address the creative processes, methodologies, and challenges of adapting graphic novels to the language of cinema. Paco Roca, author of works such as Arrugas and El tesoro del Cisne Negro, will share his experience in bringing his illustrations to the screen, explaining how both formats coexist and what artistic decisions define the transition from page to screen. According to the Palau de la Música, the event will focus on concrete examples of his adaptations, including the successful animated version of Arrugas and the television series El tesoro del Cisne Negro, directed by Alejandro Amenábar.
Who is Paco Roca
Paco Roca (Valencia, 1969) is one of the most internationally recognised Spanish comic artists. His work, awarded the National Comic Prize (2008), the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts (2023), and several Eisner Awards, has transcended the ninth art to establish itself in cinema and television. Arrugas, his most emblematic graphic novel, was adapted into an animated film in 2011 with great critical and public success. Other works, such as Los surcos del azar or La casa, have also been benchmarks in exploring genres like historical drama or autobiographical memory. In this talk, Roca will offer a unique perspective on how his stories—originally conceived for comics—have found a second life on the big screen.
Schedule and access
The conference will take place on 8 November 2026, from 18:00 to 19:00, in the Sala Rodrigo at the Palau de la Música. Entry is free until full capacity is reached, with no prior reservation required. The event is aimed at professionals in cinema, illustration, and graphic narrative, as well as students and enthusiasts interested in the intersections between comics and audiovisual media.
