The Good Daughter (film)
| The Good Daughter | |
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| Spanish | La buena hija |
| Directed by | Júlia de Paz Solvas |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | Harta (short film) by Júlia de Paz Solvas and Núria Dunjó |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Sandra Roca |
| Edited by | Oriol Milán |
| Music by | Natasha Pirard |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Avalon |
Release dates |
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| Countries |
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The Good Daughter (Spanish: La buena hija)[1][2] is a 2025 drama film directed by Júlia de Paz Solvas from a screenplay co-written by Núria Dunjó. It stars newcomer Kiara Arancibia alongside Janet Novás, Julián Villagrán, and Petra Martínez. It is a Spanish-Belgian co-production.
The film world premiered at the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on 15 November 2025 and went on to win the festival's Grand Prix.
Plot
After the separation of her parents, Carmela lives with her mother and grandmother while yearning for spending more time with her father, a plastic artist she idolises.[3]
Cast
- Kiara Arancibia as Carmela[4]
- Janet Novás as Carmela's mother[4]
- Petra Martínez as Carmela's grandmother[4]
- Julián Villagrán as Carmela's father[4]
Production
Based on Júlia de Paz's short film Harta (2021), the project was known under the working title of Harta during the production stage.[5] The feature only saw the return of actor Julián Villagrán from the short film's cast.[6] De Paz stated that Close (2022) was also a clear inspiration for the film in its portrayal of luminous and resilience moments with children.[7][4] The film is an Astra Pictures, Avalon, and Krater Films co-production with backing from ICAA, ICEC, Eurimages, RTVE, TV3, and Movistar+.[8][9] Shooting locations included Sant Cugat del Vallès.[8]
Release
The Good Daughter had its world premiere in the main competition of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) in November 2025.[9][10] It was also programmed in the 'International Competition' section of the 49th Göteborg Film Festival.[11] The film was presented in the official selection of the 29th Málaga Film Festival on 12 March 2026.[12] Avalon distributes the film in Spain, with a tentative theatrical release scheduled for 10 April 2026.[5][9][13] Beta Cinema took over handling of international sales.[5]
Reception
Wendy Ide, senior international critic of ScreenDaily, deemed the film to be an "assured and sensitively handled work", showcasing Júlia de Paz's "nuanced writing and skill in working with young actors".[14]
Mariana Hristova of Cineuropa considered that, with the film, the director proved again "her knack for extracting the singular from stories that seem everyday and banal, and for bringing to light a sensitivity to the silent catastrophe that cuts deeper than meets the eye".[15]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025
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29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | Grand Prix | Won | [16] | |
| Best Actress | Kiara Arancibia | Won | |||
| PÖFF Audience Award | Won | ||||
See also
References
- ^ Sales Ross, Rafa (19 September 2025). "From Riley Keough and Albert Serra to Highly Anticipated Debuts: 8 Catalan Projects to Watch in 2026". Variety.
- ^ "The Good Daughter [La buena hija]". Spanish Kaleidoscope. Ministerio de Cultura. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "La buena hija". Avalon. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Armadàs, JR (8 July 2024). "'Harta', la nova pel·lícula amb accent local que s'està rodant a Sant Cugat". Tot Sant Cugat.
- ^ a b c "Júlia de Paz rueda 'Harta', una producción de Astra Pictures, Avalon y Krater Films, basada en su corto homónimo". Audiovisual451. 20 June 2024.
- ^ Möölman, Mihkel. "The Good Daughter". POFF. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "Harta". Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. 20 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Sant Cugat, ciutat plató: el municipi acull 42 rodatges en els primers sis mesos de 2024". Tot Sant Cugat. 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "'La buena hija', de Júlia de Paz, competirá en la Sección Oficial del Festival de Tallin". Rubik Audiovisual. 10 October 2025.
- ^ Pham, Annika (10 October 2025). "Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival Unveils Main Competition With Abu Bakr Shawky, Júlia de Paz Solvas, Thomas Stuber, J. Sengedorj and a Bold First Features Strand". Variety.
- ^ Balaga, Marta (7 January 2026). "Sweden's Göteborg Festival Lineup Includes Renate Reinsve Film 'Butterfly,' Kristen Stewart's 'Chronology of Water,' Julia Thelin's Buzzy 'The Patron' and More". Variety.
- ^ "'La buena hija' desvela la violencia familiar en el Festival de Málaga". Europa Press. 12 March 2026.
- ^ "La buena hija". Avalon. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Ide, Wendy (17 November 2025). "'The Good Daughter' review: Impressive, balanced Spanish drama gives child's eye view of domestic violence". ScreenDaily.
- ^ Hristova, Marina (20 November 2025). "Review: The Good Daughter". Cineuropa.
- ^ Pham, Annika (22 November 2025). "Tallinn Black Nights Festival Awards: Family Dramas 'The Good Daughter' and 'The Well' Win Big at a Still Growing Event". Variety.