THE BIRDS
Directed by FRAN EXPÓSITO
Spain · 2026 · 10 min · Adolescence; Environmental; Social issues; Low budget; Sports; Inequalities; Gender Equity; Family; Homosexuality; Youth; Other; Couples; First love; Love
Submitted to RTV International Film Festival 2026Synopsis
Álvaro lives trapped between the demands of his sport and the silent violence of his home. While protecting his sister and discovering love outside the family, a pivotal night forces him to confront the burden he has silently carried for far too long
About the film
Alvaro, a 17-year-old swimmer, lives trapped between his father's demands and the suffocating silence of a home marked by violence. While trying to support his mother and protect his little sister from daily fear, he finds in Jose, a fellow swimmer, an intimate and fragile refuge where he discovers his sexual orientation. The Birds is an intimate portrait of sexual awakening, the silenced violence within the family, and the desperate search for refuge, affection, and freedom. Starring Dani Manota, Nando Pérez ("Modelo 77", "La Peste" on Movistar+), Irka Lugo ("El Amor de Andrea" on RTVE), Marta Pardo ("Amar Es Para Siempre" on Antena 3), Alejandro Armario ("Tierra de Nadie" on Prime Video) and Laura Messias.
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RTV International Film Festival — Inaugural Online Edition · 2026