Basque cinema adds a new project with female authorship that is arriving with force on the independent circuit. Bilbao-based screenwriter Nerea Castro has begun filming Canción animal, her first feature film as a director, a production that blends a coming-of-age story with fantasy and music to explore desire, family bonds, and the awakening of instinct.
Interest in this film is no coincidence. Castro, known until now primarily for her work as a screenwriter for series and film, is making the leap to directing with a project that has passed through several international development labs and has the backing of public institutions and a consolidated distributor like Filmax.
A shoot spanning Bizkaia until November
The production team has chosen Bizkaia as the main setting for the story. Filming will continue until November 11 in locations such as Portugalete, Santurtzi, Laga beach, Galdakao, Oma, and Zorrozaurre, spots that make up the Basque landscape where the protagonist moves.
The cast is led by Haizea Carneros, accompanied by Miren Gaztañaga, Nathalie Poza, Mikel Losada, Lola Alterio, and Klara Badiola.
What is Canción animal about?
The script is inspired by the short story Cadena de ave by Mónica Crespo, included in the book Las madres secretas (Editorial Base, 2017). The story follows Maika, a teenager belonging to a lineage of women who have hidden a secret for generations.
According to the official synopsis, while skating, Maika meets a group of girls who play in a band. Upon discovering her extraordinary voice, they invite her to join them. From that point on, she must decide between continuing to hide her secret or showing herself as she truly is, even if it means risking everything.
Music as a narrative axis
Music plays a central role in the film. Composer Ana Arsuaga, known for her project Verde Prato, is writing the original soundtrack, a key element to reinforce the fable-like tone the director is seeking.
Words from Nerea Castro
Castro has explained the intentions behind this story, in which she cites as references films such as Let the Right One In by Thomas Alfredson or Raw by Julia Ducournau.
"My intention is to create a physical and political fable, intimate and fierce, that directly appeals to new generations who demand narratives that embrace dissidence, transformation, and pleasure," the director noted. "In a present where non-normative bodies are still censored, this film opens a space to imagine other ways of living, loving, and being," she added.
Production, financing, and distribution
Canción animal is produced by Katixa de Silva, through CSC Films, alongside Ana Camacho and Lina Badenes of Turanga Films. The project also has the participation of EiTB and RTVE, while Filmax will handle its theatrical distribution.
The film's budget is around three million euros. The film has received one million euros through the first general aid procedure from the ICAA for the year 2026, a figure that reflects the institutional support for the project.
During its development, Canción animal has passed through labs such as Noka Ekoizpena, Abycine Lanza, D'A Film Lab, and ECAM Forum. It has also received support from the Basque Government, through its grants for script creation, development, and production, and from the Provincial Council of Álava, through its support lines for the audiovisual sector.
Who is Nerea Castro?
Nerea Castro has developed her career primarily as a screenwriter, with experience in theater, film, and television. She is the creator of the series Mentiras pasajeras, produced by El Deseo and ViacomCBS for SkyShowtime, which was nominated for Best International Series at Séries Mania 2023.
In the film realm, she wrote the script for La cima (2022), directed by Ibon Cormenzana and premiered in the Official Section of the Málaga Film Festival. As a director, she previously made the short films Avalancha (2012) and Zarpazo (2016), the latter of which was awarded at LesGaiCineMad and selected for the Zinebi festival.
Frequently asked questions
Who is directing Canción animal?
The direction is handled by Nerea Castro, a Bilbao-based screenwriter who is debuting with this feature film after a career focused primarily on writing for film and television.
Who is starring in the film?
The cast is led by Haizea Carneros, along with Miren Gaztañaga, Nathalie Poza, Mikel Losada, Lola Alterio, and Klara Badiola.
Where is Canción animal being filmed?
Filming is taking place in Bizkaia, in locations such as Portugalete, Santurtzi, Laga beach, Galdakao, Oma, and Zorrozaurre, until November 11.
What is the film’s script based on?
It is inspired by the short story Cadena de ave by Mónica Crespo, from the book Las madres secretas, published by Editorial Base in 2017.
Who is producing and distributing the film?
Production is handled by Katixa de Silva (CSC Films), Ana Camacho, and Lina Badenes (Turanga Films), with the participation of EiTB and RTVE. Theatrical distribution will be handled by Filmax.
What is the budget for Canción animal?
The feature film's budget amounts to nearly three million euros, of which one million comes from the 2026 ICAA general grants.
