Entertainment
Lucía Aleñar Iglesias’ FORASTERA Wins the FIPRESCI Prize at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
Sunday, September 14 – Following its acclaimed world premiere in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) earlier this week, Lucía Aleñar Iglesias’ debut feature FORASTERA has been awarded the International Critics’ Prize (FIPRESCI Prize) Dedicated to Emerging Filmmakers by the International Federation of Film Critics.
The award distinguishes FORASTERA as one of the standout discoveries of TIFF 2025, honoring Aleñar Iglesias’ bold vision and the film’s haunting meditation on memory and grief.
“Spanish cinema, long shaped by the exuberance of Pedro Almodóvar, has found a new distinctive voice in Lucía Aleñar Iglesias. Set on sun-drenched Mallorca, FORASTERA follows 16-year-old Cata, whose carefree family holiday is brought to a halt by the death of her grandmother. In her grief, the teenager takes on the older woman’s persona — wearing her clothes, adopting her gestures and silences. Aleñar Iglesias directs with restraint and precision, finding power in understatement. Performances from newcomer Zoe Stein and veteran Lluís Homar anchor the film’s dreamlike rhythms. What might sound slight becomes luminous: a meditation on an adolescent’s first encounter with death, and a ghost story about how the past lingers in the present. FORASTERA is a quietly assured debut, simple yet transformative, marking Aleñar Iglesias as a filmmaker the FIPRESCI jury would like to bet on,” stated the FIPRESCI jury, which includes Katharina Dockhorn (Germany), Francisco Ferreira (Portugal), Jean-Philippe Guerand (France), Andy Hazel (Australia), and Justine Smith (Canada).
Critics have widely praised the film: Filmmaker Magazine called it “an unexpectedly tender ghost story,” while Cineuropa highlighted Aleñar Iglesias’ ability to capture “the precious ambiguity of a childish perspective in ways reminiscent of Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun,” noting FORASTERA’s “emotional complexity.” The Moveable Fest found it “particularly memorable in chronicling someone at risk of growing up too fast.” That Shelf remarked that the film firmly establishes Aleñar Iglesias as “a director to watch.” Next Best Picture noted that it is “a stellar example of what real precise filmmaking looks like”, and “a testament to Aleñar Iglesias’ knowledge of the story she’s telling and Agnès Piqué’s stunning and intentional cinematography.”
Filmmaker Lucía Aleñar Iglesias said in her acceptance speech: “Thank you so much to the jury of the International Federation of Film Critics, this is a huge honor, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I want to thank Diana Cadavid for programming our film and giving it this platform. I want to thank Virginie Devesa for fighting for this film, believing in it, and getting us here. I want to thank my producers Marta, Ari, Tono, Barbara, Montse, Olivier, Lara, Marta, Giovanni, Paco — everyone who worked on this film put their hearts into it. Zoe Stein and Lluís Homar for bringing the strangeness to life. I wanted to make a film that portrayed a very strange feeling I had and wasn’t sure people would relate to it, so this is a huge recognition for me. Thank you very much. I’m very excited for more people to see FORASTERA.”
FORASTERA stars the rising talent Zoe Stein (Manticore) alongside Lluís Homar (Broken Embraces, Bad Education, Eva), Núria Prims, Marta Angelat, Martina García, and Nonni Ardal. The film was produced by Ariadna Dot of Vilaüt Films, Marta Cruañas of Presenta, Tono Folguera of Lastor Media, Bàrbara Ferrer and Cesc Mulet of La Perifèrica Produccions, from Spain; Olivier Guerpillon and Marta Reguera of Sweden’s Fox In The Snow; and Giovanni Pompili of Italy’s Kino Produzioni. The Mallorca-shot feature was lensed by Agnès Piqué, edited by Paola Freddi, and scored by acclaimed musicians Anna von Hausswolff and Filip Leyman.
Lucía Aleñar Iglesias, born in Madrid, educated at NYU and Columbia University and based in Los Angeles, developed FORASTERA through the Critics’ Week Next Step program, took part in La Résidence through Cannes Cinéfondation, and received the ArteKino award during MIA Market. Her short of the same name premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week in 2020 and toured major international festivals, including Curtas Vila do Conde, Les Arcs, Oberhausen, among others, and was nominated for a Gaudí Award.
Central Florida News
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Presents ‘HYPE HAIR’ Exhibit by Peppermint Sandy in Downtown Orlando
Entertainment
USF Credit Union Named Presenting Sponsor of ‘Rainbow To Your Door’ With $5,000 Challenge Match Grant
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The production team behind Rainbow To Your Door announced that USF Credit Union has joined the upcoming theatrical production as its Presenting Sponsor, accompanied by a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant aimed at encouraging community support and helping fully fund the project.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to arts, education, and community engagement across Central Florida. Organizers say the challenge grant will match community contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000, helping expand public access and educational opportunities connected to the production.
Original Play Celebrates Florida’s Artistic Legacy
Rainbow To Your Door is an original stage production written by Los Angeles-based playwright Kenneth Brown. The play is inspired by the historic friendship and artistic exchange between acclaimed author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston and artist Jules André Smith.
Set in 1938 at the historic Maitland Art Center, the production explores the challenges, triumphs, and purpose of artists navigating a rapidly changing world while preserving their creative voices.
“This partnership represents more than sponsorship. It is an investment in storytelling, culture, and preserving the legacy of artistic voices that helped shape Florida’s creative identity,” Brown said. “We are incredibly grateful to USF Credit Union for believing in this vision and helping us create meaningful community impact through the arts.”
Challenge Match Campaign Aims to Fully Fund Production
As part of the sponsorship, USF Credit Union will provide a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant to encourage community participation and charitable giving. Production organizers say that once the matching goal is reached, Rainbow To Your Door will be fully funded.
Donations generated through the campaign will support expanded accessibility initiatives, educational programming, community outreach, and audience engagement efforts associated with the production.
“USF Credit Union is proud to support initiatives that enrich the communities we serve,” said Rick Skaggs, CEO of USF Credit Union. “Rainbow To Your Door reflects the power of culture, education, and the arts to inspire meaningful conversations and strengthen community connections.”
Production Scheduled for October 2026
Media relations and promotional efforts for the production are being coordinated by Fierce Entertainment.
Rainbow To Your Door is scheduled for Oct. 10–11, 2026, at the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando.
Additional information regarding ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and the community challenge campaign will be announced in the coming weeks.
Media Contact:
Rob Henlon
Fierce Entertainment
rob@alwaysfierce.com
For sponsorship information and production updates, visit Rainbow To Your Door.
Central Florida News
FNN Honors Teen Reporter Isabella Schmitt as She Graduates and Pursues Communications Degree
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News proudly celebrates Isabella Schmitt as she marks an important milestone with her high school graduation and prepares to begin an exciting new chapter pursuing Communications in college.
Over the years, Isabella has represented the next generation of young voices with professionalism, creativity, determination, and passion.
Through reporting opportunities, community involvement, and media experiences, she has continued to shine both on and off camera while inspiring others through her dedication and work ethic.
Jenny Rosario, Vice President of Florida National News, praised Isabella’s accomplishments and bright future ahead.
“Watching Isabella grow both personally and professionally has been truly inspiring,” Rosario said. “She represents the future of journalism, communications, and storytelling. Her passion, confidence, and commitment to making a positive impact through media are remarkable, and we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished.”
Rosario added that Isabella’s decision to pursue Communications in college is a natural next step for someone with such strong talent and determination.
“The world of media and communications needs more young voices like Isabella’s,” Rosario said. “We know this is only the beginning of many great accomplishments to come.”
Florida National News congratulates Isabella Schmitt and the entire Class of 2026 on this exciting achievement.
“Keep dreaming big and telling stories that matter,” Rosario added.
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