Forastera

Forastera — Release Date: 11 September 2026 (Spain). Written and directed by Lucía Aleñar, the Catalan-language drama expands upon the filmmaker’s acclaimed short film of the same name. The Spanish-Swedish-Italian co-production stars Zoe Stein, Lluís Homar, Martina García, Marta Angelat, and Núria Prims. Set against the tranquil landscapes of Mallorca, the film is an intimate coming-of-age family drama that explores grief, memory, identity, and generational relationships through subtle elements of magical realism.

The story follows sisters Cata and Eva, who are spending their summer vacation with their grandparents in Mallorca when tragedy strikes with the sudden death of their beloved grandmother, Catalina. While the family struggles to cope with its loss, Cata unexpectedly discovers one of Catalina’s old dresses and, after trying it on, begins to step into the emotional space her grandmother once occupied within the family. As Cata gradually assumes this symbolic role, unresolved tensions, long-hidden resentments, and unspoken emotions begin to surface among the family members. Through this unusual transformation, each generation is forced to confront grief, reconcile with the past, and rediscover the emotional bonds that have quietly held them together. Blending realism with understated supernatural undertones, the film presents a moving meditation on loss, healing, and the enduring influence loved ones leave behind.

Zoe Stein leads the cast as Cata, alongside Martina García as her younger sister Eva. Marta Angelat portrays Catalina, the family’s matriarch whose memory continues to shape the narrative, while Lluís Homar appears as Tomeu and Núria Prims as Pepa. Supporting performances by Nonni Ardal and the ensemble contribute to the film’s intimate portrait of family relationships and emotional reconciliation.

Director Lucía Aleñar expands the ideas from her award-winning short film into a feature-length story that combines psychological realism with poetic storytelling. Filmed entirely in Catalan, the production was shot on location across Mallorca, including Alcúdia and Pollença, using the island’s natural beauty to reinforce the film’s reflective atmosphere. Following its premiere in the Discovery section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Forastera continued its festival journey through Seminci, Tallinn Black Nights, and the Stockholm International Film Festival, earning widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of grief and family dynamics.

Blending family drama, coming-of-age storytelling, and gentle supernatural symbolism, Forastera examines how memory and loss shape identity across generations. The film is scheduled for its theatrical release in Spain on 11 September 2026.