20,000 Species of Bees

The film tells the story of a transgender girl and the effect her identity has on her family.^[12][13]

To help ensure an accurate portrayal, the director worked with Naizen [eu; es], a regional association for the families of transgender minors, and they also provided guidance for Otero.^[14]

In the film, the family crosses borders, including the one that separates Bayonne, France from Laudio/Llodio in Spanish Basque Country.^[15]

• Sofía Otero as Lucía
• Patricia López Arnaiz as Ane
• Ane Gabarain as Lourdes
• Itziar Lazkano [es] as Lita
• Sara Cozar [eu] as Leire
• Martxelo Rubio [es] as Gorka
• Miguel Garcés
• Unax Hayden [eu]
• Andere Garabieta

In July 2021, Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren was selected in the Mediterranean Film Institute (MFI), MFI Script 2 Film Workshops, which focuses on the field of training, specialising in script and project development.^[16] She also took part in the Berlinale Co-Production Market, feature-film project in 2022. The film was one of the 19 official selected projects for the 2022 Berlinale Co-Production Market. Inicia Films and Gariza Films took charge of the production.^[17][18]

The cast was finalized as: Sofía Otero as Lucía, Patricia López Arnaiz as Ane, Ane Gabarain as Lourdes, Itziar Lazkano as Lita, Sara Cózar as Leire Martxelo Rubio as Gorka along with Miguel Garcés, Unax Hayden and Andere Garabieta.^[9]

Shooting locations included Laudio and Hendaye.^[19][20]

20,000 Species of Bees had its world premiere on 22 February 2023 as part of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, in competition. It also made it to the 26th Málaga Film Festival's main competitive slate.^[21] In April it competed in the 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival, where it won the best actress for its female ensemble cast.^[22]

It was theatrically released in Spain on 21 April 2023.^[9]

It was reported on 14 January 2023 that Paris-based Luxbox has acquired the international sales right of the film, whereas BTeam Pictures will release the film in Spain.^[23] Film Movement acquired North-American distribution rights to the film.^[24]

In June 2023 the film was screened at the 70th Sydney Film Festival. It was also invited to the 27th Lima Film Festival in the Acclaimed section, where it was screened on 10 August 2023.^[25]

The film competed at the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival in 'International Narrative Competition' for Best International Narrative Feature award and had screening on September 23.^[26] It won International Narrative Feature, Special Jury Citation there.^[27] It was screened at the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival in 'Zinemira' section on 22 September and won Sebastiane Award.^[28]

It was also screened at 2023 BFI London Film Festival in 'Strand' section under 'Love' theme on 10 October 2023,^[29] and made it to Special Spotlight: Basque Cinema of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival, where it was screened on 23 October 2023.^[30][31] The film was selected in 'Focus Country: Spain' section at the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival and was screened on 8 December 2023.^[32]

On 24 March 2024, it was screened at the Sofia International Film Festival in European Parliament LUX Prize section.^[33]

• List of Spanish films of 2023