Sad Girlz by Fernanda Tovar
Three Latin American films—from Mexico, Chile, and Peru—were awarded in the Generation competition at the 76th edition of the Berlin Film Festival. The Mexican film Sad Girlz / Chicas tristes, the debut feature by director Fernanda Tovar, won both the Grand Prix of the International Jury for Best Film in Generation 14plus and the Crystal Bear for Best Film from the Youth Jury.
Sad Girlz tells the story of La Maestra and Paula, two inseparable friends and the strongest swimmers on their team. Yet an incident at a party forces them to choose between silence and speaking out, testing the limits of their friendship.
“With metaphorical and poetic underwater imagery and outstanding lead performances, this film affected us deeply with its humor, sadness, and realism. Addressing sexual violence and its aftermath, the film deftly explores the complex dynamics between two young women as they reconcile their emotions and friendship. This is an extraordinary, perfectly calibrated debut feature that is loving, loud, and alive,” said the jury.
The Chilean film Matapanki, the debut feature by Diego “Mapache” Fuentes, received a Special Mention in Generation 14plus. The film follows a punk kid who gains superpowers from alcohol and attempts to reshape society, but a violent mistake sparks global tensions with him at the center. “This vibrant and rebellious film pokes at fascism and defies all limitations through its punk rock energy, playful direction, and gorgeous stop-motion animation,” the jury noted.
The Peruvian short Nobody Knows the World / Allá en el cielo, directed by Roddy Dextre, received a Special Mention for the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film. The film centers on an 11-year-old boy who tends carrier pigeons for his brother’s drug operation near Lima. When violence disrupts his young life, loss and a small act of kindness suggest a different path. “Through its artistic beauty and distinctive narrative style, the film perfectly conveys a sense of life, death, and brutality—a harsh reality that hits you unexpectedly. A beautiful interplay between violence and forgiveness, where parties and death collide. By renouncing revenge, breaking away, and letting go, the cycle of violence is broken.”
