The Good Daughter Sweeps Top Honors at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

A Spanish drama about a child caught in a bitter divorce has won the top prize at a major European film festival. “The Good Daughter” claimed the Grand Prix at the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. The film also earned the Audience Award in a rare double victory.

The festival’s main competition jury honored the poignant feature from writer-director Júlia de Paz Solvas. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film’s young star, Kiara Arancibia, also won the Best Actress award for her debut performance.

Film Explores Subtle Layers of Family Conflict

The movie follows a teenage girl named Carmela. She loves her father despite a restraining order protecting her mother from his violent behavior. Her meetings with him are restricted and supervised by a social worker.

Carmela finds herself trapped between her warring parents. The child’s absolute love for her father begins to crumble under the pressure. The film examines psychological violence and the difficult position children are placed in during divorces.

Director Júlia de Paz Solvas aimed to show violence in a more subtle way. She wanted to represent the silent suffering of children within the judicial system. The restrained approach makes the emotional moments more powerful.

Awards Highlight Universal Story and Powerful Debut

The film’s success marks a significant achievement for its first-time lead actress. Kiara Arancibia worked with an acting coach to deliver her layered performance. She learned to separate her own emotions from those of her character.

The production was shot near Barcelona. Beta Cinema is handling international sales for the film. The story is an adaptation of the director’s own 2021 short film titled “Harta.”

The filmmakers changed the title for the feature to reflect the story’s broader scope. “The Good Daughter” refers to the dual roles the protagonist feels forced to play for each parent. The new title captures the film’s deeper emotional layers.

The recognition at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival signals a powerful new voice in European cinema. “The Good Daughter” tells a universal story of familial conflict with remarkable sensitivity. This award-winning film is poised to resonate with international audiences.

Thought you’d like to know

What is The Good Daughter about?

The film follows a teenage girl navigating her parents’ difficult divorce. She loves her father despite a restraining order against him. The story explores her emotional struggle as she feels pressured to choose sides.

Who stars in the movie?

Kiara Arancibia stars in her acting debut as the main character, Carmela. The cast also includes Janet Novas and Julián Villagrán. Arancibia won the Best Actress award at the festival for her performance.

What awards did the film win?

The Good Daughter won the Grand Prix, the festival’s top competition award. It also received the Audience Award. This double victory is a historic achievement for the festival.

Who directed The Good Daughter?

Júlia de Paz Solvas wrote and directed the feature film. She co-wrote the script with Núria Dunjó. The project is an adaptation of her own 2021 short film.

Where was the film produced?

The movie was shot near Barcelona, Spain. It was produced by Astra Pictures and Avalon. The international sales agent is Beta Cinema.