To make the unforgiving journey from a place you once called home in pursuit of sanctuary – drifting thousands of miles across territories to face hostility on the other side – is a harrowing reality for millions of refugees worldwide. A defining issue of the current day, migration continues to shape conversation, driving debate on how best to approach the complexities of this on going reality. In response to the division sewn, directors Lorena Ares and Carlos Fernandez de Vigo present short animated film Cafunè, an exploration of the enduring trauma experienced by refugee children. It follows Alma, a young girl haunted by the devastating impact of a shipwreck where she was the sole survivor. The traumatic cycle repeats as her doll falls into a swimming pool – a dark reminder of the pain endured. A recipient of the Goya Award – the highest honour within Spanish cinema, as well as recently becoming Oscars 2026 qualified, Lorena and Carlos tell us more about exploring the film’s timely topic further, what they’ve learned from creating the film and what audiences can expect.

Hi Carlos and Lorena, your short film Cafune has recently become Oscar 2026 qualified. How are you feeling? Continue reading