How a Spanish animated film became the first movie screened at a NASA theater.
In short: In 2015, the Spanish animated adventure Capture the Flag achieved a unique milestone: it became the first international and first animated film ever screened at a NASA facility. The movie follows a young boy’s quest to stop a billionaire from destroying the original Apollo 11 flag on the Moon.
Directed by Enrique Gato, Capture the Flag tells the story of 12-year-old Mike Goldwing, who attempts to thwart a villainous plan to mine the Moon for Helium-3. The antagonist, Richard Carson III, seeks to claim the lunar surface by spreading conspiracy theories that the original 1969 Moon landing was faked. To solidify his claim, he intends to destroy the American flag left by the Apollo 11 mission, forcing Mike and his grandfather—a former astronaut—to intervene.
The production team at Lightbox Entertainment went to great lengths to ensure technical accuracy, visiting NASA facilities in Houston and Cape Canaveral. They received guidance from veteran astronauts, including Michael López-Alegría and Alan Bean, who provided insights on lunar surface textures and launch protocols. This commitment to detail extended to the animation process, where the team used complex software like Autodesk Maya and Nuke. Animators even created a custom measurement unit based on a team member named Galo to maintain consistent character proportions.
The film is filled with parodic nods to space history and popular culture, including references to Stanley Kubrick and the 1994 Simpsons episode Deep Space Homer. Character designs were also inspired by real-world figures; the villainous Carson mirrors Richard Branson, while his assistants Gags and Gigs evoke Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Despite receiving mixed reviews in the United States, the film was well-received in Spain, winning Best Animated Film at the 2016 Goya Awards. It remains a notable example of international collaboration, having been animated to an English voice cast before being dubbed into Spanish and Catalan.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Capture the Flag (film)
- Also: Wikidata — Capture the Flag · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-capture-the-flag-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Animated series & cartoons · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
