I’m excited to share news about Daughters of the Forest, a deeply immersive new documentary film by director Otilia Portillo Padua that invites audiences into the forests of Mexico, where Indigenous knowledge, science, and survival intersect in profound and unexpected ways. The film will celebrate its World Premiere at CPH:DOX 2026 in competition for the Dox Award, followed by its North American Premiere at SXSW 2026 in the Visions section, with filmmakers in attendance at both festivals. Running 95 minutes and presented in Spanish, Tlahuica, Zapotec, and Mazatec, the documentary offers a visually rich and emotionally layered experience that reflects both cultural heritage and environmental urgency.
A Story Rooted in Connection and Coexistence
At its heart, Daughters of the Forest explores the entanglements between humans and mushrooms, tradition and modern science, and the visible and invisible forces shaping our world. The film follows Lis and Juli, two scientifically trained Indigenous women from Oaxaca and the State of Mexico whose communities have lived in symbiosis with forest fungi for generations. As mycologists, they work to expand collective understanding of the ecosystems that sustain life while confronting the growing threats of deforestation, economic hardship, and cultural loss. Through their parallel journeys, the film reveals how ancestral wisdom and scientific inquiry can coexist, offering new possibilities for resilience and renewal in a rapidly changing world.
An Immersive Documentary Experience
Blending documentary storytelling with speculative and poetic elements, the film invites viewers to reconsider how humans relate to non-human life. Rather than presenting a traditional environmental narrative, Otilia Portillo Padua creates an intimate and sensory exploration that feels both grounded and visionary. The forests themselves become living characters, while mushrooms serve as symbols of interconnectedness, adaptation, and transformation. The result is a cinematic experience that feels reflective, immersive, and emotionally resonant.
Festival Screenings and Special Events
The World Premiere at CPH:DOX begins Friday, March 13 at DFI/Cinemateket, followed by additional screenings and special events throughout the festival, including filmmaker Q&As and a unique live experience titled “Mushrooms as Medicine,” combining dinner and film for audiences seeking a deeper connection to the themes explored onscreen. The film continues its festival journey at SXSW 2026, where multiple screenings will introduce North American audiences to this powerful story, accompanied by select filmmaker discussions. These premieres mark an important milestone for a project that has already generated significant anticipation within the documentary community.
A Collaborative Creative Vision
Directed and written by Otilia Portillo Padua, the film is produced by Paula Arroio Sandoval, Elena Fortes, and Portillo Padua herself, with executive producers Jessica Harrop, Caitlin Mae Burke, and Maxyne Franklin, alongside co-executive producers Mia Maestro, Geralyn White Dreyfous, and Tracy Rector. Cinematography by Martín Boege AMC captures the natural world with striking intimacy, while editing by Lorenzo Mora Salazar AMEE and music by Hannah Peel shape the film’s emotional rhythm. Sound design by Javier Umpierrez and writing contributions from Gabriela Damián Miravete and Lacey Pipkin further enhance the film’s layered storytelling approach. The project was created in association with organizations including Doc Society Climate Fund and The Redford Center, with support from numerous cultural institutions and Indigenous communities.
The Filmmakers Behind the Story
Director Otilia Portillo Padua brings a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by her background in architecture at Cambridge University and the Architectural Association in London. Her previous works, including Three Voices and Netflix’s Birders, have screened at major international festivals and established her reputation for thoughtful, visually driven storytelling. Producer Paula Arroio, partner at Oscura Producciones, contributes extensive experience producing documentaries focused on nature, history, and culture, including Emmy-recognized projects. Producer Elena Fortes, a leading figure in Mexico’s documentary landscape and former director of Ambulante, has helped shape internationally acclaimed films such as Midnight Family, Vivos, and A Cop Movie, reinforcing the project’s strong creative foundation.
A Film Supported by Visionary Organizations
The film is backed by renowned partners including Oscura Producciones and Sandbox Films, organizations dedicated to creating cinematic works that explore humanity’s relationship with science and the natural world. Their involvement reflects a shared commitment to artist-driven storytelling that encourages audiences to question, imagine, and engage more deeply with the planet.
An Invitation to Reflect on Our Shared Future
More than a documentary about mushrooms or ecology, Daughters of the Forest offers a meditation on coexistence, identity, and survival. By centering Indigenous voices and perspectives, the film reminds viewers that solutions to contemporary challenges often lie within ancestral knowledge systems that have long understood the balance between humans and nature. As the film premieres on the international festival stage, it stands as both an artistic achievement and a timely reflection on how reconnecting with the natural world may help shape a more sustainable and compassionate future.
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