Private Project

Rita

While fleeing a neglectful household, thirteen-year-old Rita is placed in an oppressive state-run orphanage. Rita’s arrival provides a glimmer of hope to the girls inside, who share a prophecy that an angel will appear to release them. Encouraged by one another, the girls plan an escape to claim their freedom and expose the orphanage’s abuses of power. Based on the true story behind one of Guatemala’s most harrowing tragedies, RITA shines a light on the brave orphans whose fight for survival inspired a nationwide outcry for justice and reform.

  • Jayro Bustamante
    Director
    Ixcanul (2015), La Llorona (2019), Temblores (2019)
  • Jayro Bustamante
    Writer
    Ixcanul (2015), La Llorona (2019), Temblores (2019)
  • Jonathan King
    Producer
    Roma (Alfonso Cuarón 2018), Una Mujer Fantastica (Sebastián Lelio 2017), No (Pablo Larraín 2012)
  • Jayro Bustamante
    Producer
    Ixcanul (2015), La Llorona (2019), Temblores (2019)
  • Giuliana Santa Cruz
    Key Cast
    "Rita"
  • Margarita Kénefic
    Key Cast
    "Social Worker"
    La Llorona (2019), Temblores (2019)
  • Ángela Quevedo
    Key Cast
    "Sulmi"
  • Glendy Rucal
    Key Cast
    "Gladys"
  • Alejandra Vásquez
    Key Cast
    "Bebé"
  • Sabrina De la Hoz
    Key Cast
    "Monitor"
    La Llorona (2019), Temblores (2019))
  • André Aldana
    Key Cast
    "La Terca"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Rita
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    4,500,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Guatemala
  • Country of Filming:
    Guatemala
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Fantasy Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    July 25, 2025
    Premiere
    Official Selection and Best Cinematography
  • Molins Horror Festival
    Barcelona
    Spain
    November 15, 2024
    Europe premiere
    Official Selection
  • Brooklin Horror Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    November 4, 2024
    Best Screenplay
  • Calgary International Film Festival
    Calgary
    Canada
    September 18, 2024
  • Icaro
    Ciudad de Guatemala
    Guatemala
    November 30, 2024
    Best Film; Best Director; Best Costume Design
  • National Theater of Guatemala
    Ciudad de Guatemala
    Guatemala
    August 7, 2024
    Premiere of Guatemala
Distribution Information
  • Shudder
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
    Country: Canada
    Rights: All Rights
  • Upgrade Productions LLC
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Jayro Bustamante

He was born in Guatemala and spent his childhood in a predominantly Mayan community on the shores of Lake Atitlán. From a very young age, he knew he wanted to make films.

His professional beginnings were in advertising, directing several commercials for the agency Ogilvy & Mather. He trained in Paris as a filmmaker at the CLCF (Conservatoire Libre du Cinéma Français). He continued his studies as a screenwriter in Rome at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia.

In 2009, together with Marina Peralta, he founded his own production company, La Casa de Producción, where he produced and directed his first short films. In 2015, he premiered his debut feature film, Ixcanul. With this film, he established himself as a director by winning the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and more than 60 awards at international festivals.

In 2019, he premiered his feature films Temblores and La Llorona. With the latter, he brought recognition to Guatemala and Central America for the first time at the Golden Globes, competing for Best International Film. Similarly, La Llorona made it to the Oscars Shortlist after an important journey through major festivals worldwide, such as Venice (winning the Best Director award), Sundance, Toronto, among others.

In 2024, he premiered his feature film Rita, reaffirming his commitment to stories that address relevant social and cultural issues.

He is currently developing several film projects, both nationally and internationally.

Add Director Biography