Spanish Actor and Director Eduardo Casanova Publicly Discloses HIV Status, Announces Documentary Project

Spanish actor and director Eduardo Casanova made a significant public announcement on December 18, 2025, revealing his HIV-positive status through a heartfelt message posted on Instagram. The disclosure marks a notable moment in Spanish entertainment, as Casanova becomes a prominent public figure in the country to openly discuss living with HIV.

In his Instagram post, Casanova stated: "I HAVE HIV. Today, I break this very unpleasant and painful silence after MANY years. A silence that many of us with HIV have kept and suffered through. I do this WHEN I WANT. WHEN I CAN. I DO IT FOR ME, but I hope this can help more people." The actor emphasized that his decision to come forward was made on his own terms and through the medium he knows best: cinema. "I do it my way, through cinema, which is my way of communicating. But above all, I do it WITH DIGNITY. Dignity should be the way that all people with HIV can come out of the closet," he wrote.

Casanova used his announcement to highlight a broader reality affecting people living with HIV. According to the actor's statement, approximately 80 percent of people with HIV have not disclosed their status to almost anyone due to persistent stigma. He characterized this stigma as "a systematic and unjust rejection" that forces many individuals into silence and isolation.

Despite the vulnerability of sharing such personal information, Casanova expressed optimism about his decision. "Despite the fear and uncertainty, today I am deeply happy," he stated in his post. His announcement was met with widespread support from colleagues and followers across social media platforms, with fellow professionals expressing affection and solidarity.

Casanova's disclosure is accompanied by an ambitious creative project. He announced a documentary film produced by filmmaker Jordi Évole that will explore his experience living with HIV, with a planned theatrical release in 2026. The actor clarified that this will be a feature-length documentary film rather than a television program, underscoring the seriousness and artistic scope of the project.

The timing of Casanova's announcement coincides with his recent creative work addressing HIV and health crises. On December 1—World AIDS Day—Casanova premiered a new miniseries titled "Silencio" on Movistar Plus+, which explores the evolution of HIV from the beginning of the pandemic to the present day. The series, created in collaboration with the non-profit organization Apoyo Positivo, which supports people living with HIV, combines "humor, vampires, social critique, and advocacy" to challenge traditional narratives surrounding HIV and AIDS.

Casanova, born in Madrid, first gained recognition for his role as Fidel, a gay teenager, in the Spanish comedy series "Aída". In recent years, he has increasingly focused on directing work, beginning his directorial career in 2015. Beyond his acting roles in productions including "The House of Flowers", "Someone Has to Die", and "Once Upon a Time", Casanova has established himself as a filmmaker committed to exploring socially relevant themes through an artistic lens.