Female friendship lies at the heart of Pilar Palomero’s celebrated coming-of-age drama, which premiered in the prestigious Generation Kplus programme at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival. Set in the contradictory world of early 1990s Spain, Schoolgirls tells the story of Celia, an 11-year-old girl who studies at an all-girls Catholic school.
Under the oppressive control of the school’s nuns, she tries her best not to make a fuss. She is obedient, thoughtful and a responsible student. But the onset of puberty throws changes at the young Celia, and the sudden arrival of a new classmate, Brisa, shakes up her comfortable world.
A bond quickly develops between Celia and Brisa, and together they rally against the authority figures and their rigid rules. As they enter adolescence and seek new experiences, Celia begins to question everything she had previously taken for granted. While the journey is never easy, Celia discovers that learning to let go, move on and grow up can be the adventure of a lifetime.
WINNER: Best Film, Best New Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Goya Awards 2021.
WINNER: Best Film, Best Spanish Film, Best Cinematography, Málaga Spanish Film Festival 2020
WINNER: Dunia Ayaso Award, San Sebastián International Film Festival 2020
WINNER: Best Picture, José María Forqué Awards 2021
WINNER: Best Supporting Actress, Best Spanish Film, ASECAN 2021
"A great debut for Pilar Palomero and one of the best films of 2020."
- Espinof
Tuesday 20th April
97 min
15+
Pilar Palomero
Film Festival
Spanish with English subtitles
