The documentary, co-produced by RTVE and Story Producciones, premiered on October 12 on La 1 and RTVE Play.
RTVE held the international presentation of the documentary Columbus’ DNA: His True Origin this Tuesday at Mipcom Cannes. The feature film, co-produced by RTVE and Story Producciones and premiered on October 12 on La 1, reveals the truth about Christopher Columbus’s origin and burial place.
The presentation took place in the Audi “A” of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, during a panel led by RTVE’s Director of Film and Fiction, José Pastor, accompanied by the documentary’s director, Régis Francisco López, and producer, Ainhoa del Castillo, alongside RTVE’s International Commercial team, headed by Rodolfo Domínguez, and RTVE’s Director of Communication and Participation, María Eizaguirre Comendador.
Columbus’ DNA: His True Origin led the ratings during its premiere on October 12, with 2,091,000 viewers and a 21.5% share on La 1. Over 5 million viewers tuned in at some point to the broadcast’s revelations. It led its time slot by 11.3 points over the next option and dominated all age groups, particularly among young viewers aged 13 to 24, with a 24.7% share.
Columbus’ DNA: His True Origin follows an investigation spanning more than 20 years, led by the University of Granada and Dr. José Antonio Lorente, professor of Legal and Forensic Medicine at UGR. In 2003, Dr. Lorente and historian and professor Marcial Castro exhumed the bones of Christopher Columbus and his son Hernando from Seville Cathedral and those of his brother Diego (Giacomo) from La Cartuja in Seville. After two decades of studies, the investigation has concluded with definitive results regarding the two major historical questions surrounding Christopher Columbus.
These answers were achieved by comparing Columbus’s DNA with other skeletal remains from historical figures in various countries and regions of Europe. The research involved collaboration with some of the world’s most prestigious universities and laboratories.
RTVE in Cannes
RTVE’s international commercial team traveled to Mipcom Cannes this week to showcase the Corporation’s latest productions and most notable audiovisual projects, including Ena, the highly anticipated drama about Queen Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg, which had its world premiere this Monday in Cannes.
Mipcom is the global marketplace for the co-production, buying, selling, financing, and distribution of entertainment content for all platforms. It attracts key executives from the world of television, the film industry, content producers, and distributors. Over 11,000 executives from 100 countries attend every year, 3,500 of whom are content and format buyers. This year, Spain is the Country of Honor at the 40th edition of the market.