Costa Rican actresses Daniela Marín and Mariangel Villegas won the Best Emerging Talent award for their performances in the Costa Rican film “Forever Your Maternal Animal,” which premiered at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France.

Both actresses were recognized alongside Mexican actress Mariana de Tavira in the film written and produced by Costa Rican filmmaker Valentina Maurel. The movie competed in the "A Certain Look" ("Un Certain Regard") section, an official category that runs parallel to Cannes’ main Palme d’Or competition.

According to the festival, the category highlights emerging talent, international arthouse cinema and films known for unconventional storytelling and innovative artistic styles.

In comments to local media, Marín thanked organizers for the recognition and said the cast formed a close bond throughout filming.

“We supported each other a great deal because the film demanded a lot from us as actresses due to everything the characters experience,  emotionally, physically and intimately,” she said.

“Forever Your Maternal Animal” also became the first Costa Rican feature film selected for the official competition lineup at the Cannes Film Festival.

According to the film’s synopsis, Elsa, played by Marín, returns to Costa Rica from Europe and reconnects with her sister Amalia, portrayed by Villegas, who has embraced an esoteric and existential lifestyle. Their mother, Isabel, played by de Tavira, publishes erotic poetry.

The two sisters are portrayed as opposites. Elsa, pragmatic and generous, struggles to understand why her younger sister abandoned college to pursue esoteric and religious interests. The story takes audiences through an emotional journey that explores personal conflicts and social taboos.

Romanian writer-director Cristian Mungiu won the Palme d’Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival for his film “Fjord.”

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