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Spanish filmmaker Lucía Aleñar Iglesias makes her feature film debut with Forastera, which will premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, taking place between September 4 and 14, 2025.
The drama film, written and directed by Iglesias, follows 16-year-old Cata (Zoe Stein) as she spends her summer vacation in Mallorca, in the Catalan Mediterranean, with her grandparents and younger sister. Her time of relaxation comes to an end after a tragic death, which leaves them grief-stricken on this peaceful island.
TIFF will screen Iglesias's new film in its Discovery Section, which offers space for debut or sophomore projects by filmmakers. Its first public screening has been scheduled for September 8, as per the festival's official website.
The Hollywood Reporter has revealed an exclusive first look teaser for Forastera ahead of its TIFF premiere, which offers a glimpse into the film's moody world-building through a one-minute clip.
The first look teaser of Lucía Aleñar Iglesias’ Forastera offers a haunting contemplation on grief
The recently released teaser for Lucía Aleñar Iglesias's debut feature, Forastera, shows a Cata standing outside a house as the camera slowly pushes in her direction. She stops at a point and looks inside as her expression gradually changes. She vaguely smiles as her grandfather looks at her silently. It offers a hint of the film's deliberately gentle, unassuming pace.
The first look doesn't reveal any plot details but sets up the mood that the filmmaker will likely explore through her work. In their report for this evocative film, THR describes the movie's plot as:
"Spanish director Lucía Aleñar Iglesias’ debut movie Forastera evolves around 16-year-old Cata (Spanish newcomer Zoe Stein) who, after the sudden loss of her beloved grandmother, steps into her role in an attempt to lessen her and her family’s grief."
It further offers an idea of the tragedy that looms over her peaceful vacation:
"Cata and her sister Eva (Martina García) are spending a carefree summer at their grandparents’ house in Mallorca when suddenly their beloved grandmother Catalina (Marta Angelat) dies, and their innocent holiday, as well as this movie, takes a tragic turn. Grandfather Tomeu (Lluís Homar) is crippled with grief."
In the end, it offers a hint of the bond between Cata and her grandfather, as teased through the first look:
"When Cata tries on one of her grandma’s vintage dresses, she finds herself slipping into the role of emotional caretaker, inhabiting the role Catalina played in the family."
Forastera shares its name with a 2020 short from Iglesias, which premiered at the Critics’ Week Next Step program from the Cannes Film Festival. Speaking about their thematic connections, the Forastera director shared a statement. Per THR, it reads:
“I’m interested in the ways in which we project our deceased onto places, objects and especially onto other people. Whether conscious of it or not, grief can open us to new and eerie ways of keeping our loved ones around for longer."
She ends her statement, saying,
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"Cata mourns the loss of her grandmother by assimilating her persona, getting lost in her spirit, or at least Cata’s interpretation of it.”
Lucía Aleñar Iglesias's feature film, Forastera, is a part of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
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