Steadvar — News without the noise

Privacy · Terms · About

© 2026 Steadvar. All rights reserved.

Valentina Maurel's 'Forever Your Maternal Animal' Selected for Cannes Un Certain Regard

EntertainmentCulture6d ago
Share

Similar Articles

Costa Rican Cinema Reaches Cannes Milestone as Film Industry Investment Grows

CultureEntertainment6d ago

Director Rafaela Camayo's Debut Film Sells to European Broadcasters

EntertainmentCulture5/5/2026

Chilean Director Dominga Sotomayor Premieres 'La Perra' at Cannes Directors' Fortnight

EntertainmentCulture5d ago

Marine Atlan's 'La Gradiva' Wins Top Prize at Cannes Critics' Week

EntertainmentCulture1d ago

Catalan Filmmakers Àlex Lora, Albert Serra, Marcela Said, Sofia Carrillo, and Carla Simón Announce New Projects

CultureEntertainment5/14/2026

Filmmaker Valentina Maurel's second feature, 'Forever Your Maternal Animal', has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, shot in Costa Rica, follows a young woman's return home and reconnection with her sister. Maurel, who previously won awards at Locarno, is already preparing her next project.

Facts First

  • Valentina Maurel's 'Forever Your Maternal Animal' is selected for Cannes' Un Certain Regard section.
  • The film reunites Maurel with actors from her debut 'I Have Electric Dreams', which won Locarno awards.
  • The story follows a woman returning to Costa Rica from Europe and reconnecting with her younger sister.
  • The film was shot in the Zapote neighborhood of San José, Costa Rica.
  • Maurel's next project is a biopic about footballer Shirley Cruz, which enters post-production after Cannes.

What Happened

Valentina Maurel's second feature film, 'Forever Your Maternal Animal', has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. The film follows Elsa, played by Daniela Marín Navarro, who returns to her home in Costa Rica after studying in Europe and reconnects with her younger sister, Amalia, played by Mariangel Villegas. The production reunites Maurel with actors Daniela Marín Navarro and Reinaldo Amien Gutiérrez from her award-winning debut, 'I Have Electric Dreams', and includes Mexican actor Marina de Tavira in the cast. It was filmed in the Zapote neighborhood of San José, Costa Rica.

Why this Matters to You

If you are interested in international cinema, this selection highlights a new voice in filmmaking and could introduce you to compelling stories from Central America. The film's focus on family dynamics and return may resonate with universal themes of home and identity. Its presence at Cannes makes it more likely to receive wider international distribution, increasing your chances of seeing it in theaters or on streaming platforms.

What's Next

Following the Cannes Film Festival, Valentina Maurel will enter post-production for 'No One Knows We Play Today', a biopic about football player Shirley Cruz, which she is co-directing with Felipe Zúñiga.

Perspectives

“
The Filmmaker views her selection as a significant milestone that signals a broadening of opportunities for Latin American women and celebrates a shift away from stereotypical narratives of violence and misery.
“
The Filmmaker maintains a commitment to her cultural roots, insisting on filming in her home country to ensure authenticity and a sense of place for her audience.
“
The Filmmaker focuses on the creative necessity of exploring complex human experiences, such as motherhood and the struggles of artists, through nuanced casting and personal storytelling.
“
The Filmmaker acknowledges that despite recent progress, significant hurdles remain, noting that 'there is still a long way to go' given the lack of Latin American films in the Cannes main competition.