BORN IN THE JUNGLE

Latvia, Poland, Czechia | 2026 | 70′
5+
Dubbed in Slovenian, with English subtitles

ABOUT THE FILM

During the late 1950s in Venezuela, nine-year-old Elizabeth’s summer break takes a wild turn when her little brother Leo vanishes into the jungle. She must swap her books for bravery, not only to find her brother but also to rescue a mystical furry animal from captivity and bring him back up to the legendary Tepui mountain.

CREW

Directed by: Edmunds Jansons
Written by: Lote Eglīte, Līga Gaisa
Music: Kšištof Aleksandr Jančak
Art Director: Alexandra Correa
Graphic Design: Elīna Brasliņa
Animation Direction: Mārtiņš Dūmiņš
Editing: Michal Poddebniak, Edmunds Jansons
Producers: Sabīne Andersone, Piotr Szczepanowicz, Vladimir Lhotak
Production: Atom Art, Letko, Hausboot
Cast: Borut Veselko, Dan Pirnat, Gašper Jarni, Gašper Malnar, Maja Kunšič, Matej Puc, Vesna Pernarčič
Distribution in Slovenia: Fivia

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

The film Born in the Jungle is an adventure film for young audiences. The two main characters are children, a sister and a brother, who are about to experience a fantastic day full of adventures. As their mother Vilma says, “There’s always a grain of truth in every story”. In fact, this family really did exist in the 1950s: a father who was an explorer, a courageous mother and two young children, the youngest who, like Leo, was born in the Venezuelan jungle, near the River Churún, at the foot of Mount Tepui, which, in the Pemón language, means “house of the gods”.

Among other things, the film explores the theme of family bonds: a brother and sister who love each other but bicker, and parents whose choices are not always easy for their children to understand.

The film’s plot is driven forward by the presence of villains, wildlife traffickers whom the children oppose. This story reminds younger generations of the importance of respecting those around us. I also paid close attention to the visual quality of the film. Thanks to the work of the illustrator Elīna Brasliņa and her team, I wouldn’t mind spending, if not the rest of my life, then at least a lovely holiday in these lush settings!

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS (SELECTION)

  • Annecy Presents, Annecy IAFF 2026
  • Horizons, Karlovy Vary IFF 2026
  • Fantoche IFF 2026
  • Tallinn Black Nights FF 2026