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Juanita

Generation Kplus 2025
Twelve-year-old Juanita was born in the Dominican Republic but now lives in a small town near Barcelona. Like many girls from Latin America, she has always dreamed of growing up with all the freedoms enjoyed by European women. But even in her new, seemingly open-minded environment, she still feels that her body is failing to conform to the beauty standards expected of women. When she is invited to a pool party, Juanita realises that she is unable to escape social pressure and ends up doing whatever it takes to try and rid herself of the main cause of her insecurity: the hair on her legs. Her friends, her crush, her mother – they all have something to say about her decision. But for Juanita, who always wears long trousers even in summer, it is unthinkable not to shave her legs before the party. Not because she has carefully thought it through, but because she believes it is the only option.
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by Karen Joaquín (Director, Screenplay), Uliane Tatit (Director, Screenplay)
with Leire Bravo, Laura Gómez, Joana Belmonte, Sofia Bordon, Eli Iranzo, Alba Mendoza, Magí Castellví, Aleix Linares, Airald Sobrevals Spain 2025 Catalan, Spanish 20' Colour World premiere | Short Film recommendation: 12 years and up

With

  • Leire Bravo (Juanita)
  • Laura Gómez (Juanita's Mom)
  • Joana Belmonte (Marina)
  • Sofia Bordon (Natalia)
  • Eli Iranzo (Pharmacist)
  • Alba Mendoza (Waitress)
  • Magí Castellví (Roger)
  • Aleix Linares (Marc)
  • Airald Sobrevals (Oriol)

Crew

Directors Karen Joaquín, Uliane Tatit
Screenplay Karen Joaquín, Uliane Tatit
Cinematography Miriam Ouchi
Editing Karen Joaquín, Uliane Tatit, Yuri Páramo
Music Shadan Koohbor, Daniel D'Meza
Production Design Maria José Miranda
Casting Anna Santamaria
Producer Núria Velasco
Executive Producer Núria Velasco

Produced by

Aguacate & Calabaza Films

Photos

Karen Joaquín

The director, screenwriter and photographer from the Dominican Republic has been based in Barcelona, Spain, since 2018. She has a degree in film directing from the Escola de Cinema de Barcelona. Her graduation short, O que me parta un rayo, had its world premiere at the Sitges International Film Festival where it won the Best New Filmmaker’s Script award before going on to screen at numerous other festivals. She is currently writing her debut feature film, a co-production that will be filmed in the Dominican Republic and Spain.

Filmography

2023 O que me parta un rayo (May Lightning Strike Me Down) 2025 Juanita

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025

Uliane Tatit

The Brazilian director and screenwriter was born in Curitiba and is now based in Barcelona, Spain. She studied film directing at the Escola de Cinema de Barcelona and journalism at the Universidade Positivo in Brazil. Her short film Anarchism at Two O’Clock screened at several international festivals. She is currently developing her debut feature film.

Filmography

2022 As dúas en punto (Anarchism at Two O’Clock) 2025 Juanita

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025