A documentary film, «Apace: Our Map», was presented on Monday at the Toledo City Hall. This film, which goes beyond mere audiovisual creation, is a call-to-action document that seeks to draw attention to realities that need to be made visible, stated Marisol Illescas.
In a similar tone, Fidel Rodríguez explained the film's creative process, in which Apace users were not only the protagonists but also the filmmakers themselves. «This is a project that puts people at the center, that makes their inclusion visible, and, most importantly, that demonstrates that culture must be accessible to all,» affirmed Illescas, highlighting the contribution of entities such as Apace and the «la Caixa» foundation in improving the quality of life for these individuals.
The film, which reflects the daily lives of individuals with cerebral palsy and related disabilities, is not just an audiovisual testimony but a testament to their capacity to be the protagonists of their own stories.
«They are themselves the entire time, and what we see on screen is just a sample of what they are capable of,» added Rodríguez.
The production process was a collaboration between Apace and the Cabiria Association, with the support of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha and the Toledo City Council. The film will be screened at 11:00, with free admission until capacity is reached, inviting the entire community to be part of this act of inclusion.
«They filmed themselves, interviewed each other, and told their stories as they live them, without filters or barriers,» commented Rodríguez, highlighting the naturalness and generosity with which the participants shared their experiences.
The focus, according to Manuel Pereira, was to provide the participants with the necessary tools to enter the world of cinema, allowing them to tell their own reality from their own perspective. «This documentary not only seeks to show how they live but also to highlight the creative process, in which each person is seen not as a passive subject but as an active agent of their own story,» explained Pereira.
The documentary was developed over several sessions in which Apace users took on the role of filmmakers, recording their daily lives in various spaces, from the association's residence to external activities.
«Sometimes what cannot be told with words can be told with an image,» concluded Rodríguez.
The premiere of ‘Apace: Our Map’ is not just a cultural event but an awareness-raising act. The film is a true reflection of the lives of people with disabilities, showing them not as objects of compassion but as complete, active individuals capable of contributing to the social fabric.
«What most impresses me about this project is that they didn't stop to think about what they were doing; they simply did it. It's important for society to see what we are truly capable of,» added Rodríguez.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, the Thalía hall of the Santa María de Benquerencia Social Center (Toledo) will host the premiere of ‘Apace: Our Map’, a documentary that gives a voice to the users of the Apace Toledo association.
Marisol Illescas highlighted the project's significance by uniting three fundamental pillars: culture, inclusion, and education.
