Luis Navarrete

Director

Luis Navarrete image

Luis Navarrete, born on October 22, 1992, in Albox (Almería), Spain, is a director and screenwriter who has made a name for himself in independent cinema with daring, genre-bending works. His feature film debut is THE PHANTOM OF THE SAUNA (2021, directed by Luis Navarrete). The LGBTQ musical is set in a magical sauna club in Madrid, where a phantom falls in love with a young singer. The film has been screened at international festivals, won numerous awards, and represents Navarrete's original genre mix of music, comedy, and romance. Previously, he made several award-winning short films such as Queridísimo papá (2018) and Dirigido por Lola (2019), which were shown at international festivals. These early works laid the foundation for his later development in feature films. His second feature film, Calcination, a psychological thriller set in the landscapes of Almería, is currently in production and is scheduled for release at the end of 2025. Navarrete originally began studying medicine in Madrid, but quickly realized his true passion lay in film. He is now considered one of Spain's most exciting young filmmakers, known for his creative versatility and bold stylistic choices.

Films on Sooner

  • The Phantom of the Sauna

    2021

    93 mins

    Music, Dance, Theater, Queer

    This LGBTQ musical revolves around Javi, a young sex worker, and his quest for love and happiness.