Princess

Twelve-year-old Kallpa has one big dream: to be chosen as Ñusta, the sacred princess in her Andean community’s Winter Solstice Festival. However, she is barred from taking part because she was born in the body of a boy. As rigid traditions and growing rejection push her out, Kallpa finds a new home and family among a group of local trans women.

Even while facing harsh prejudice, this close-knit group wraps Kallpa in real warmth and tenderness, giving her the room to figure out who she is and learn to love herself. Her journey becomes a quiet, resilient fight to live life on her own terms.

Shot in a snug 4:3 frame, every single shot feels incredibly intimate and gorgeous. Plus, young lead Kuri Fuerez gives such a charming, magnetic performance that completely steals your heart. It is much more than a standard coming-of-age story – it is a beautiful, deeply human film about finding your people and owning who you are.

Malaika Bova