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An unbreakable bond that withstands every contradiction, every judgment, and every stereotype lies at the heart of Gugu’s World, directed by Allan Deberton and competing in the Generator +13 section of the #GiffoniFilmFestival 2026. Intimate and deeply evocative, the film tells the story of Gugu, a young boy who dreams of becoming a famous football player and lives with his beloved grandmother, Dilma, in their community near the Araújo Lima reservoir. A caring and devoted grandmother, Dilma shares with her grandson a relationship built on deep affection, quiet understanding, and unwavering companionship.
As time passes, Dilma’s health begins to deteriorate due to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and its consequences. Gugu becomes increasingly afraid of losing the only place—both physical and emotional—that has ever felt truly safe. He also fears being forced to return to his father Batista, who remarried Patricia after the death of Gugu’s mother, Elaine. Despite his desperate attempts to remain by Dilma’s side, Gugu is ultimately separated from his grandmother and embarks on a painful journey toward accepting this life-changing reality.
Before the screening, director Allan Deberton addressed the audience: “I’m very happy to be here. The child you see here with me, my son, is eight years old. He watched parts of the film while I was editing it, but just like all of you, today will be the first time he’ll see the finished version. This is a wonderful experience for us, and it’s a joy to be here with you. I hope you’ll connect with what I tried to convey and with the relationships between the characters that I wanted to bring to life.”
Following the screening, Deberton joined the discussion with the #Giffoners, who were eager to learn about the inspiration behind the project.
“The screenwriter is a close friend of mine, and like me, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Brazil. I based Gugu’s character on him, drawing from the feeling that shaped his childhood, the sense of being different. He was a very sensitive and creative boy who was raised by his grandmother. In many of Brazil’s underserved communities, it’s common for children to be brought up by their grandmothers, as fathers are often absent or struggle to understand the emotional needs of their families. Telling the story of this relationship was incredibly moving.”
One of the #Giffoners, Giovanni, asked: “Do you think the support a child can offer an elderly person living with these conditions can sometimes be more effective than the support an adult can provide?” Clearly moved, the director replied: “I believe it’s important for us to build a connection with the characters. Dilma has always taken care of her grandson, and at the same time Gugu cannot bear the thought of losing her, she means everything to him. Dilma also wants to protect Gugu in memory of her daughter Elaine. That’s why the song Time After Time remains so meaningful to her: it connects the image of her grandson with the memory of her daughter. I’m convinced that we never truly forget the people who have stood by us.”
These are the kinds of emotional conversations that create connections, brief yet profound. Just like the bond portrayed in Gugu’s World, a film that beautifully captures the power of love, memory, and mutual support, earning heartfelt appreciation from the audience.