The Costa Rican feature film “Si no ardemos, cómo iluminar la noche” (If We Don’t Burn, How Do We Light Up the Night) has successfully brought a story rooted in rural Costa Rica to major film festivals across Europe, the United States, and Latin America. Following an extensive international run, the movie is now playing in theaters nationwide.
Directed and written by filmmaker Kim Torres, the debut feature won Best Feature Film in the Cine en los Barrios competition at the Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival (FICCI) and was named Best Costa Rican Feature Film at the Costa Rica International Film Festival 2026.
“This film was born from personal experiences of my childhood. I grew up in a rural area of Costa Rica that, although it seemed idyllic, had its own complexities.”
— Kim Torres, Director & Screenwriter
🌍 An Impressive Global Festival Journey
The film’s international circuit began in 2025 with its world premiere in the prestigious New Directors section of the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Since its premiere, the production has built an outstanding festival track record:
- 2025 Tour: San Sebastián International Film Festival, Morelia International Film Festival, Havana Film Festival, and Los Cabos International Film Festival.
- 2026 Tour: Göteborg Film Festival, Curaçao International Film Festival, LATcinema Fest in Barcelona, FICCI (Cartagena de Indias), San Francisco International Film Festival, and Reflets du cinéma hispanique in Mayenne.
- Special Screenings: Featured in the official selection of the AFI Latin American Film Festival on September 23.
🎬 Synopsis: Coming of Age Amid Secrets and Suspense
Si no ardemos, cómo iluminar la noche follows Laura, a 13-year-old girl trying to adapt to a new family dynamic. As she begins to settle into her new life surrounded by dense forests and palm plantations, she uncovers a dark town secret that threatens the women she loves most.
The film explores the fragile boundary between childhood innocence and adult realization, presenting a nuanced picture of rural life in Costa Rica.
💭 Director’s Vision: The Dual Nature of Childhood
Filmmaker Kim Torres highlighted that the narrative draws deeply from her personal childhood memories growing up in rural Costa Rica:
“Nature was a playground, but also a space filled with tension and uncertainty,” Torres explained. “I wanted to immerse myself in the lightness of childhood, the joy of play, the tenderness of love, and the bonds of friendship, but also in the weight a young girl carries when standing on that threshold between childhood and adulthood.”
