Del Río graduated with a degree in law from the University of Deusto[1] and received an official position in Bilbao City Hall.
In 1982, he released his directorial debut, a short film titled Octubre, 12.
[2] In 2000-17, del Río has been the director of ZINEBI Bilbao Documentary Film Festival.
He stepped in as the director after the demise of Luis Iturri, however, his collaboration with the festival started as early as in the 1970s.
Del Río retired from his post in 2017, succeeded by Vanesa Fernández Guerra.