Martínez, the debut feature written and directed by Lorena Padilla, will have its world premiere in the Jordan Ressler First Feature Award competition at the 40th edition of the Miami Film Festival, taking place March 3-12, 2023.

The comedy stars Chilean actor Francisco Reyes, of the Academy Award-winning film A Fantastic Woman, in the title role of Martínez, a lonely and grumpy old man who leads a monotonous life working as an accountant. One day, he is forced to face the fact that he is about to retire when Pablo, the guy that is going to replace him, starts working next to him.

While his stability is suddenly threatened, his neighbor, a woman around his age, is found dead in her home after several days. Although he never met her, little by little Martínez uncovers details about the woman, a process that positively impacts his behavior, prompting his co-worker to think he has a new girlfriend. Facing a personal crisis, his neighbor’s death ultimately makes Martínez realize that his life is still ahead of him.

Shot in the city of Guadalajara, and elegantly lensed by Gerardo Guerra (Dos Estaciones), Martínez was selected in IONCINEMA.com’s list of Top 200 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2023. With a sharp deadpan humor and a wonderful ensemble cast including Humberto Busto and Martha Claudia Moreno, Padilla’s engrossing directorial debut feature is a subtle comedy about loneliness, aging, and the eternal quest for love.