Sad Girlz
| Sad Girlz | |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Chicas tristes |
| Directed by | Fernanda Tovar |
| Screenplay by | Fernanda Tovar |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Rosa Hadit Hernández |
| Edited by | José Pablo Escamilla |
| Music by | Wissam Hojeij |
Production companies |
|
Release date |
|
| Countries |
|
| Language | Spanish |
Sad Girlz (Spanish: Chicas tristes) is a 2026 drama film written and directed by Fernanda Tovar in her debut feature. It is a Mexican-Spanish-French co-production.
The film had its world premiere in the Generation 14plus section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026, where it won the Crystal Bear.
Plot
The plot follows the relationship between two 16-year-old female swimmers. One of them suffers from sexual violence at a party.[1]
Cast
- Rocio Guzmán as Maestra[2]
- Darana Álvarez as Paula[2]
- Tatsumi Milori as Raz[2]
- Tomás García-Agraz as Mario[2]
- Mónica del Carmen as Valeria[2]
- Raúl Villegas as Esteban[2]
- Lucio Lemus as Daniel[2]
- Luisa Almaguer as Karaoke[2]
- Andrea Camacho as Carmen[2]
- Áyax as Laura[2]
- Óscar Lever as Chanclas[2]
- Mario Flores as Raúl[2]
- Héctor Kuri as Pedro[2]
- Daniel Aranzubia as Carlos[2]
Production
The film is a Colectivo Colmena co-production with Potenza Producciones, Promenades Films, Martini Shot Films, and CTT Exp & Rentals.[3]
Release
Sad Girlz premiered in the Generation 14plus section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2026.
Critical reception
Cédric Succivalli of International Cinephile Society rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, declaring it an "extraordinary" directorial debut feature, standing "as a quiet but devastating exploration of a friendship under pressure".[4]
Marta Balaga of Cineuropa deemed the film to be a "bittersweet stunner", in which the director "bets everything on female friendship, and wins".[3]
Nikki Baughan of ScreenDaily considered the film "sensitive and knowing study of female teenage friendship, powered by strong performances from its young leads".[5]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2026 |
76th Berlin International Film Festival | Crystal Bear for the Best Film in Generation 14plus | Won | [6] | |
| Grand Prix of the International Jury for the Best Film in Generation 14Plus | Won | ||||
References
- ^ Huerta Ortiz, César (14 January 2026). ""Chicas tristes" pone el foco en la violencia sexual; competirá en la Berlinale 2026". El Universal.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Chicas Triste". Berlinale. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ a b Balaga, Marta (14 February 2026). "Review: Sad Girlz". Cineuropa.
- ^ Succivalli, Cédric (14 February 2026). "Berlinale 2026 review: Sad Girlz (Fernanda Tovar)". International Cinephile Society.
- ^ Baughan, Nikki (27 February 2026). "'Sad Girlz' review: Two Mexico City teens cope with the fallout from sexual violence in sensitive, authentic debut". ScreenDaily.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (21 February 2026). "'Sad Girlz' Wins Berlin Generation Crystal Bear". The Hollywood Reporter.