20,000 Species Of Bees
A stirring coming-of-age story about a girl exploring her gender identity among a Basque beekeeping matriarchy, featuring an astonishing performance from the youngest Silver Bear winner in history.
Her birth name is Aitor, and she has the nickname Coco, but neither represent who she really is. Sofía Otero’s lead performance of a girl in search of her own name is masterfully portrayed against a backdrop of bickering mothers and aunties reflecting on their own past and the mistakes they have made. Beehives and gorgeous sun-soaked landscapes add to the film’s gentle tapestry evoking the importance of heritage, community, being nurtured and finding peace in yourself. Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s accomplished debut echoes the current wave of exceptional Spanish dramas, akin to last year’s Golden Bear winner Alcarràs (SFF 2022). 
- Program Strand
- Features
- Original Title
- 20.000 Especies de Abjeas
- Year
- 2023
- Classification
- All Ages
- Country
- Spain
- Language
- In Spanish, Basque and French with English subtitles
- Director
- Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
- Producer
- Lara Izagirre Garizurieta, Valérie Delpierre
- Cast
- Sofía Otero, Patricia López Arnaiz, Ane Gabarain
- Screenwriter
- Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
- Cinematographer
- Gina Ferrer García
- Editor
- Raúl Barreras
- Premiere
- Australian Premiere
- Genre
- Festival Award Winners, LGBTQIA+ Films, Family, Women Directors, Focus on Women, Gender & Sexuality
- Company Credits
- Sales Agent: Luxbox Films
