
Toni, a 15-year-old Roma boy, lives in Europe's largest illegal settlement, on Madrid’s outskirts. Proud to belong to his family of scrap dealers, he follows his grandfather everywhere. But demolitions edge closer to their plot, and his grandfather refuses to leave, no matter the sacrifice. On dark nights without electricity, as the legends of his childhood come alive, Toni must choose: face an uncertain future or hold onto a vanishing world.
Director
Born in Madrid, Spain, his works have premiered at Cannes, San Sebastián, IDFA, among other festivals, and have won two Goya awards. His short film ‘Aunque es de Noche’ (2023) premiered in the Festival de Cannes Official Selection, being nominated for the Short Film Palme d’Or, won the Goya for Best Short Fiction Film, and was part of the Official Selection at the César 2025. Also at the Festival de Cannes in 2023, he premiered his short film ‘As Gaivotas Cortam o Céu’ at the Quinzaine des Cinéastes. His short film ‘Lo-Tech Reality’ (2022), a result of his collaboration with the Detroit techno collective Underground Resistance, continues its journey through international festivals and museums after premiering at Zinebi and Ann Arbor. His first fiction feature film ‘Sleepless City’ (2025) will have its World Premiere in Cannes at La Semaine de la Critique. In 2020, Guillermo received the prestigious Princess of Girona Award for Arts and Literature.
Cast & crew
CAST
Antonio « Toni » Fernández Gabarre
Bilal Sedraoui
Jesús « Chule » Fernández Silva
DOP
Rui Poças (Grand Tour, Tabu, Frankie, The Rye Horn)
PRODUCERS
BTEAM PRODS (Schoolgirls – Goya Best Film 2021)
Sintagma Films (Goya winners Even Though It’s Night and Delicate Balance)
Buena Pinta Media (Lullaby – Goya Best First Film 2022, The Mole Agent – Oscar nominated 2021)
Encanta Film (Lullaby)
Les Valseurs (Heartless)
Tournellovision (Capernaum – Oscar nominated 2019, The Innocent)
Festivals and awards
- CANNES CRITICS WEEK 2025 - SACD AWARD