Una Fortaleza: de qué trata el corto chileno que competirá en el Festival de Venecia 2026

The 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival will feature a Chilean short film titled Una Fortaleza, which has been selected to compete in the International Short Film Competition, Orizzonti. The 14-minute work marks director Alba Gaviraghi’s debut as a filmmaker, following her previous roles as producer on shorts El verano del león eléctrico (2018) and SNAP (2018), as well as the documentary Oasis (2024). The film will be among 13 short films chosen from over 2,500 submissions, including the debut of actress Saoirse Ronan as a director with Paper Plane. It will compete for the main prize awarded by the Orizzonti section. Una Fortaleza follows the story of Antu, played by Antonia Pereira in her acting debut, a young woman who has spent several months in a school strike at her high school. She must decide whether to remain with her classmates or leave the institution to reunite with her mother, Mariana, portrayed by Francisca Gavilán. Gaviraghi explains that she was inspired by her memories of the student protest at the Liceo 7 de Niñas de Providencia, as well as her relationship with her mother during that period. “I wanted to give the story an ambiguous and free form,” she says, reflecting on how emotions can be deeply political. The film explores themes of personal connection and collective action through this narrative. Shot by cinematographer Matías Illanes (Mala Junta, Animalia Paradoxa), the film features a cast of emerging actors, including Daniela López (from La Ola), Catalina Ortiz, Luciana Sobarzo, Fabiana Balbontín, Paulina Constanzo, and Martina Cruzat. Gaviraghi praises the cast for their commitment and sensitivity, noting that their involvement made the production both beautiful and emotionally resonant. The project received support from the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage. In addition to directing Una Fortaleza, Gaviraghi also directed the music video for ¿Dónde se llora cuando se llora?, the first single from Adentro’s 2023 album Denominación de origen, featuring singer Francisca Valenzuela. Currently, she is working on distributing her first feature film, Hijas Únicas, produced by Agosto Cine, Equeco, and companies from Argentina, Mexico, and Germany. At the Venice Film Festival, Una Fortaleza will join the Colombian film Los Poderes as the only Latin American entries in the Orizzonti competition. The festival, scheduled to take place from September 2 to September 12, will also announce that George Clooney will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, while actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal will serve as head of the jury. The selection of Una Fortaleza highlights the growing presence of Chilean cinema on international stages, particularly within the framework of the Venice Film Festival. With its focus on personal and political narratives, the film reflects broader conversations around youth activism, family dynamics, and the intersection of emotion and social change. As part of the Orizzonti lineup, it will be screened alongside other notable works, offering audiences a diverse range of storytelling styles and perspectives.