Mexico in Motion: The films of El Taller del Chucho (CTBA)

Thursday 12 Nov 2026 - 17:30
HOME - Cinema 1
Runtime: 90 mins (approx.)

Described by Guillermo Del Toro as "The Craftsmanship of Guadalajara" the talented team of filmmakers that walk the halls of El Taller del Chucho are no beginners. The supportive team of collaborators are responsible for showcasing the mysterious, dark and macabre possibilities of stop motion, we’re delighted to present films by the Guadalajara team at MAF.

MAF's Mexico in Motion events are supported by the British Council in partnership with the Independent Cinema Office

Films in this programme

Tio

Dir. Juan J Medina // Mexico

Martin is a cocky teenager who, on his first day of work in the mines, will meet old Andres, an elderly miner who will explain to him the importance of ancestral rituals and the respect he must keep for the TIO, the demon god who guards the mines and to whom he must also bring an offering in order to be able to work in peace. Martin's insolence and disbelief in front of the TIO will provoke the anger of the guardian of the mines with serious consequences.

Prita Noire

Dir. Sofia Carrillo // Mexico

A creepy tale of two sisters bonded and bound by the ties that bind: co-dependence, separation anxiety and routine.

Smoke

Dir. Rita Basulto // Mexico

Daniel is a boy who travels on a train toward a dark destination, the “smoke house”.

Aeronautas

Dir. Leon Fernandez // Mexico

A tribe survives in the middle of the desert on the meager pickings of a barren landscape. Soo'goh, the weakest member of the clan, seeks to overcome all obstacles and to reach the green pastures of the paradise that they all yearn for.

Dolores

Dir. Cecilia Andalon // Mexico

Dolores is a 7 years old girl who just wants to play, runs away from a fire demon and accidentally falls into a grave.

Viva El Rey

Dir. Luis Tellez // Mexico

On a chessboard where the battle has ended, a black pawn watches as the landscape crumbles under the onslaught it has endured. Thus, a new opportunity arises for both sides in a game that takes on new dimensions.

Secret Theatre

Dir. Diego Martinez // Mexico

An elderly lady offers a lock of her hair to one of her artifacts: a magic mini theatre. When activating the crank, it grants her a present. The woman continues turning it, and the mini theatre absorbs her into a dream that starts a puppet and insect performance, where her presence will brighten up life.

Angélica Lares

Producer and Current Head of Taller del Chucho since 2021, an animation studio founded by Guillermo del Toro, where part of his stop motion film Pinocchio was produced. Lares was the Second Unit Production Supervisor. Executive Producer for Humo (2023), Rita Basulto’s latest short film, which was shortlisted to the Oscars and won Best Short Film at Arieles Awards. Producer of Dolores (2024), Cecilia Andalón's first short film that has been selected for Sitges, among other international festivals. Producer for Teatro Secreto (2025), which was selected at Annecy’s Graduation Films Section. Producer for Little Nightmares: Broken Promises (2025), premiered at Annecy.
She is currently working on the animated feature film The Origin of Experience.