Grasshopper Film has announced the acquisition of U.S. distribution rights for Lucía Aleñar Iglesias’ debut feature, FORASTERA, following the film’s acclaimed world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival and subsequent FIPRESCI Prize win. The film has also been acquired for release in multiple other territories, including Spain by Madrid-based distributor Atalante, Sweden by Folkets Bio, and Japan by STARCAT.

The U.S. distribution agreement was negotiated by Ryan Krivoshey, founder and president of Grasshopper Film, and Virginie Devesa of Alpha Violet on behalf of the film.

“We’re thrilled to bring FORASTERA to U.S. audiences. Lucía Aleñar Iglesias has crafted a luminous, deeply felt debut — a film that explores adolescence, loss, and the mysterious ways we remain connected (across time, continents, and worlds). Told with striking visual precision and emotional grace, it heralds the arrival of an extraordinary new voice in contemporary cinema, and it’s exactly the kind of bold and visionary work we’re proud to champion,” said Ryan Krivoshey from Grasshopper Film.

Virginie Devesa from Alpha Violet added: “It is a great joy for us to start our relationship with Ryan Krivoshey with Lucía Aleñar Iglesias’ first film! I have always admired the editorial line of Grasshopper Film and am very proud to be part of it, thanks to FORASTERA.“

The Spanish distribution agreement was negotiated by Ramiro Ledo, CEO of Atalante, and producer Marta Cruañas Compés on behalf of the film; the Swedish distribution agreement was negotiated by Oscar Eriksson and Rose-Marie Strand of Folkets Bio, and film producers Olivier Guerpillon and Marta Reguera on behalf of the film; and the Japanese agreement was negotiated by Akiko Ogasawara of STARCAT and Keiko Funato of Alpha Violet.

“We’re genuinely pleased to be releasing FORASTERA in Spain. Lucía Aleñar’s debut possesses a rare emotional precision — it explores personal dynamics with a sensitivity and maturity that are remarkable for a first film. Catalina’s character is exceptionally well drawn, and the subtle, fantastic elements — unanswered phone calls, a sense of an unseen presence, intuitive impulses — lend the film a distinctive, poetic identity. One of its most striking qualities is the way it shifts seamlessly from a child’s or adolescent’s perspective to an adult one, without any patronizing tone. You can feel the narrative deepen as the film unfolds. It’s a debut of uncommon charisma and emotional insight,” commented Ramiro Ledo from Atalante.

Here’s the film’s synopsis:

During a sun-soaked summer in Mallorca, a family mourns the loss of its matriarch — only for teenage Cata to quietly step into her grandmother’s role, in this tender, beautifully crafted debut about grief, memory, and the strange echoes that live within us.

FORASTERA stars the rising talent Zoe Stein (Manticore) alongside Lluís Homar (Broken Embraces, Bad Education, Eva), Núria Prims, Marta Angelat, Martina García, and Nonni Ardal.

The film was produced by Ariadna Dot of Vilaüt Films, and Marta Cruañas of Presenta, Tono Folguera of Lastor Media, Bàrbara Ferrer and Cesc Mulet of La Perifèrica Produccions, from Spain; Olivier Guerpillon and Marta Reguera of Sweden’s Fox In The Snow; and Giovanni Pompili of Italy’s Kino Produzioni. The Mallorca-shot feature was lensed by Agnès Piqué, edited by Paola Freddi, and scored by acclaimed musicians Anna von Hausswolff and Filip Leyman.

A theatrical release is set for next year.