Sad Girlz
Chicas Tristes
16–
Polish premiere
dir. Fernanda Tovar
Mexico, Spain, France 2026 / 90’
Polish subtitles
Mexico, Spain, France 2026 / 90’
Polish subtitles
Sixteen-year-old Maestra and Paula are inseparable friends and talented swimmers. When Paula becomes strangely quiet after a party, Maestra insists that her friend tell her what is wrong. Will their friendship survive after Paula reveals the truth?
Maestra and Paula are preparing to compete in the swimming championships. Their relationship changes suddenly after a party: Paula falls silent and withdraws into herself. Concerned, Maestra desperately tries to find out what is troubling her friend. When Paula finally breaks her silence, the truth is shocking. The girls respond to the tragedy in starkly different ways, placing their friendship under serious strain.
Sad Girlz tackles the important themes of sexual consent and setting boundaries with great sensitivity, while highlighting the strength of female friendship in the face of difficult experiences.
Recommended by SexedPL.
Did you know that…
…the actors playing members of the swimming team underwent a rigorous three-month training programme to portray their roles realistically? Before, they could only dog paddle.
trigger
warning
The film deals with sexual violence and substance use.
Awards
2026
Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale)
Crystal Bear for Best Film in the Generation 14plus section
2026
Cartagena Film Festival
Ibero-American Cinema Award – Jury Prize (Fernanda Tovar)
Creators
Director
Fernanda Tovar
Screenplay
Fernanda Tovar
Cinematography
Rosa Hadit Hernández
Editing
José Pablo Escamilla
Music
Wissam Hojeij
Main cast
Naian González Norvind, Yalitza Aparicio, Ximena Lamadrid
Producers
Daniel Loustaunau, Araceli Velázquez, Carlo D'Ursi, Samuel Chauvin
Production
Martini Shot Films, Colectivo Colmena, Potenza Producciones, Promenades Films, Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía, Eficine, Montgó Films, CTT Exp & Rentals
Sales
Alpha Violet
Original language
Spanish