While not autobiographical, Costa Rican Kim Torres’s feature debut “If We Don’t Burn How Do We Light Up The Night” (“Si no ardemos, cómo iluminar la noche”) is rooted in her childhood experiences. It draws inspiration from her early years in rural Costa Rica where she began to perceive certain dynamics in the village and grew more aware of the dangers lurking in this idyllic setting.

“My film has to do with that transition into adulthood and understanding the violence we experience in Latin America and worldwide. It’s something that’s very present in Latin America, more so than in other places,” she tells Variety.

Her coming-of-age drama, which world premieres at the San Sebastian Film Festival ’s New Directors sidebar, follows 13-year-old Laura who feels stifled in her new family.

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