OLIVIA AND THE INVISIBLE EARTHQUAKE

Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Chile | 2025 | 71′
10+
In Catalan with Slovenian and English subtitles

Accessible screening: This screening is accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing, and blind and partially sighted audiences, with audio description, Slovene descriptive subtitles, and Slovene Sign Language interpreting.

ABOUT THE FILM

Olivia, 12, lives with her mother, who is trying to make it as an actress, and her seven-year-old brother Tim. Although they live from hand to mouth, the boundless imagination they share helps them cope with their daily struggles. But when they lose their home and are forced to move to a new neighbourhood, their lives turn upside down. To shield Tim from this upsetting situation, Olivia has him believe that this is all part of a film in which he’s the main character. With the help of new friends, the family rediscovers a sense of security and belonging.

Set in Barcelona, the puppet animation is based on the award-winning novel by Catalan writer Maite Carranza, tackling themes such as the loss of home, poverty, mental health, social exclusion, and solidarity in a sensitive and child-friendly way. With humour, magic and warmth, it tells the story of a childhood in which imagination becomes a refuge, friendship a source of strength, and community a place where we can find support even in the hardest of times.

CREW

Directed by: Irene Iborra Rizo
Written by: Irene Iborra Rizo, Júlia Prats, Maite Carranza
Based on the novel: Maite Carranza, La película de la vida
Music: Laetitia Pansanel-Garric, Charles de Ville
Graphic Design: Morgan Navarro
Chief Animator: César Diaz
Director of Photography: Isabel de la Torre
Editing: Julie Brenta
Producers: Mikel Mas Bilbao, Ramón Alós, Irene Iborra Rizo, Eduard Puertas, Jean-François Le Corre, Mathieu Courtois, Hugo Deghilage, Vincent Tavier, Bernardita Ojeda, Nicolas Burlet
Production: Citoplasmas Stopmotion, Kinetic Armatures, Cornelius Films, Bigaro Films, Vivement Lundi !, Panique !, Pájaro, Nadasdy Film
Cast: Celia Sol, Hug Mont, Silvia Vilarrasa, Sayfeddine Zhari, Sunna Giménez Romeu
Distribution in Slovenia: Animateka

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

When I read the novel, I was deeply moved. On the one hand, because it echoed my own life, and on the other, because Maite managed to tackle, from a child’s point of view, complicated subjects with great tenderness and a real light. I then felt the need to tell this story in the form of a film, to make it a powerful tool to destigmatize poverty and thus enable us to talk about it with children without dramatizing it.

I’d like to share the idea that what we tell ourselves inside is very important, because it can save us. I’d also like to convey to them that life is beautiful in its contradictions, even if it doesn’t make us happy every day. And above all, that we all have a superpower: the power to choose how to react to whatever happens to us.

Stop motion animation with puppets creates a small “safe distance” that allows young audiences to receive the story without being overwhelmed by its realism, while identifying with the characters. Stop motion also offers the possibility of using textures, clothes made of fabric and woollen hair, that appeal to the sense of touch, so closely linked to our way of perceiving reality.

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS (SELECTION)

  • Official Competition, Gan Foundation Award for Distribution, Annecy IAFF 2025
  • Audience Award and Special Jury Mention, Lucas IFF 2025
  • Special Jury Mention, Cinekid Festival 2025
  • Official Competition, Ottawa IAF 2026
  • European Animated Feature Film Nominee, European Film Awards 2026
  • Gaudí Award for Best Animated Feature, 2026
  • Best Feature Film for Young Audiences, Anifilm Festival 2026