Colombian-Spanish Animated Feature MU-KI-RA Selected for Inaugural Locarno Kids Screenings Competition

 Colombian-Spanish Animated Feature MU-KI-RA Selected for Inaugural Locarno Kids Screenings Competition

The 79th Locarno Film Festival has unveiled the official lineup for its brand-new competitive section Locarno Kids Screenings, welcoming MU-KI-RA, a vibrant 2D family co-production from Colombia and Spain. The animated feature will hold its international premiere at the festival and compete for the inaugural Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare, judged exclusively by a youth jury aged 11 to 15. Helmed by rising female filmmaker Estefanía Piñeres Duque in her debut animated feature, the film is backed by the award-winning creative team behind hits Unicorn Wars and Decorado, recipients of the Paul Grimault Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Blending Afro-Caribbean folk rhythms, vivid Latin American visual craft and a tender coming-of-age fable, MU-KI-RA stands out as one of the most anticipated titles in this year’s youth competition. International sales agent Latido Films will attend Locarno with the creative team to connect with global distribution partners.

I. Film Profile & Creative Highlights

1. Creative & Production Background Director & Co-writer: Estefanía Piñeres Duque (co-scripted with María Barro Guntín) Production Houses: Letrario (Colombia), Abano Producións (Spain) — the studio behind three Goya Award-winning animated features including Unicorn Wars. Format: Hand-drawn 2D animation, Spanish language, runtime 84 minutes, completed in 2026. Artistic inspiration draws from Afro-Caribbean musical traditions and Latin American folk craft, featuring lush jungle backdrops, magical character designs and original musical numbers built into the adventure narrative, crafted as a universal all-ages musical fantasy.
2. Official Synopsis Thirteen-year-old Cleo and her little brother Martín live in a village haunted by nocturnal jungle monsters. When Martín is abducted by a towering plant creature named MU-KI-RA, Cleo embarks on a dangerous rescue mission deep into the rainforest. Along her journey, she teams up with an elderly wise witch and a mischievous anteater companion. Together they uncover a shocking secret about the monster clan, challenging the village’s universal fear and prejudice toward the misunderstood forest creatures. The heartfelt adventure delivers layered themes of empathy, harmony with nature and breaking stereotypes, balancing whimsical fantasy with thoughtful humanistic depth.

II. Locarno Festival Screening & Competition Details

1. About Locarno Kids Screenings Launched for the 2026 edition, Locarno Kids Screenings is the festival’s brand-new official competitive strand dedicated to youth-oriented cinema, showcasing only world or international premieres from across the globe. Winners are decided by an independent youth jury of teens aged 11–15, prioritizing authentic youth perspectives and stories that balance accessibility with complex contemporary themes. Seven diverse titles spanning animation, documentary, adventure and coming-of-age drama compete this year.
2. Public Screening Schedule Public screening of MU-KI-RA: Wednesday 12 August, 16:30, Teatro Kursaal, open to press, industry buyers and family audiences.
3. Industry Market Outreach The full Latido Films international sales team will be present at Locarno’s industry market to negotiate territorial distribution, streaming licensing and derivative development partnerships with global theatrical and digital platforms.

III. Industry Significance & Unique Selling Points

1. Landmark Latin American Animation Representation As one of very few Ibero-American co-productions selected for the competition, MU-KI-RA brings Caribbean folklore and Indigenous ecological philosophies to a top-tier European A-class festival’s youth program. It fills a visibility gap for Latin American fantasy animation in European children’s film circuits and boosts worldwide exposure for Spanish-language animated content.
2. Award-Winning Veteran Creative Team The production studio boasts a decorated track record in European animation, with prior works honored at Annecy and the Goya Awards. Polished hand-drawn 2D craftsmanship and an original integrated musical score make the title highly marketable to global family audiences.
3. Distinctive Layered Narrative Moving beyond simplistic children’s adventure tropes, the film centers on overcoming fear and embracing difference, weaving environmentalism and inclusivity into its core storytelling. It delivers lighthearted fantasy for young viewers while offering resonant themes for teenagers and adult audiences, with broad applicability for theatrical release, streaming platforms and educational screening events.

Supplementary Festival Info

The 79th Locarno Film Festival runs from 5 August to 15 August 2026.