Four generations of Puerto Rican women write and star in a fantasy film transforming their memories into myth. In this new cosmic world, they become warriors emboldened to confront inherited wounds, reimagine their family’s narrative, and open a portal to freedom for the next generation.
MATININÓ begins with the decision of ldaliz Villanueva to flee from a violent marriage when her two daughters—María and Desirée—were 6 months and 7 years old. As a way to heal from this experience and explore cycles of abuse and trauma, the Villanuevas come together to craft a fantasy film—reimagining themselves into an alternative world where women hold the power. The plot of the fantasy unfolds in parallel with the family’s creative process, as the family navigates their own personal grief and the fantastical demands of the world they have created. Through this lens, the family is able to explore difficult histories, opening the possibility of new worlds and a portal to freedom for the next generation.
Gabriela Díaz Arp is an independent director and producer passionate about the ways visual language can deepen human understanding and connection. Her work challenges documentary conventions by incorporating fictional elements, new technologies, and pushing the boundaries of the form.
Her last film, MEETING A MONSTER, a virtual reality film which explores the memories and motivations of former white supremacist Angela King, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was shown at festivals around the world including Cannes NEXT, Sheffield Doc Fest, Atlanta and New Orleans Film Festival.
She will be releasing her debut MATININÓ at Tribeca Film Festival and Sheffield DocFest this year. The film follows four generations of Puerto Rican women transforming their experience of violence into a fantasy film. The film won best documentary project at Gotham Honors and was a finalist at New Orlean’s South Pitch.
Her work has been supported by Sundance, Film Independent, IDA, Doc Society, BAVC, Ford Foundation, Chicken & Egg, Firelight Media, Working Films and Studio IX and the Puerto Rican and Dominican Republic Film Commissions.
World Premiere - Tribeca Film Festival 2026
International Premiere - Sheffield DocFest 2026
The Gotham Market - Spotlight on Documentaries Winner
Chicken and Chicken & Egg Eggcelerator Lab
Firelight Media Documentary Lab
Sundance Documentary Fund
Good Pitch Puerto Rico Winner
Karla Claudio - Producer
Guillermo Zouain - Producer
Pablo Ascanio - Director of Photography
Lara Garcia Reyne - Editor
Daniela Fabrizi - Costume Designer
