Niño

Set against the 2008 financial crisis in Spain, the film centers a young boy’s solo journey into the unknown, looking for answers after witnessing his grandfather on his deathbed. Beyond the abandoned buildings and state of decay that surround his grandparents’ rural home, he finds a heightened sense of life in the natural world, revealing the subtle magic of the weeds, insects, and lizards that cross his path.

Directed by Alberto Allica, Niño leans on a strong ensemble — Lorenzo Taylor Oliveira, Iria del Río — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2023.