Pies pequeños, sombra grande is my directorial debut, created as a short film and Master’s Final Project at ECIB, based on my own experience with precocious puberty. The story follows Martina, an eight-year-old girl going through early puberty while attending a religious school in Barcelona. In a world that often fails to understand or accept difference, she struggles between the desire to fit in and the dizzying pace of growing up too soon. Her mother, Teresa, is her refuge and guide, supporting her with love through this confusing journey.
This film is born from an intimate and autobiographical experience, shedding light on the fragility of a disrupted childhood, the strength of family bonds, and the beauty of simply being oneself.
Main features and goals of the crowdfunding campaign
Pies pequeños, sombra grande is a 15-minute short film, shot in digital format and in color. With a focus on drama and the coming-of-age genre, the story explores the personal growth of the protagonist, Martina, as she faces the challenges of precocious puberty. The film is presented in both Spanish and Catalan, offering an intimate and realistic view of her reality. This work aims to capture the essence of the fragility and strength involved in growing up, using the interplay of two languages to reflect a complex and diverse reality.
Through Martina’s eyes, the short seeks to give voice to all the girls who have experienced the awakening of their bodies in silence—without references or safe spaces to name their fear or shame. Small Feet, Big Shadow aims to break the taboo that still surrounds menstruation and the physical changes of early puberty, often marked by ignorance and prejudice.
It is a story of fragility turned into strength, of difference transformed into identity.
With the ambition to go beyond the screen, the project seeks to tour film festivals, but also to reach schools and educational spaces as a tool for awareness. It hopes to spark conversations, foster empathy, and help all those who grow up too soon feel a little less alone.
Why this is important
This project is a deeply personal piece, born from my own experience as someone who went through precocious puberty. I felt the need to tell this story to give voice to a little-known condition that affects many girls, forcing them to navigate a childhood marked by physical development that arrives far too soon.
The short film is intended for a diverse audience—one that values stories with social sensitivity, a gender perspective, and experiences of personal growth. Through this film, I want to explore universal themes such as identity and difference, and emotionally connect with girls and teenagers who have experienced—or are currently experiencing—precocious puberty, as well as with the families who support them during these deeply vulnerable moments.
I’m also interested in giving this work an educational dimension: I hope it can serve as a tool for teachers and education professionals to address topics like early puberty, bullying, or emotional education. Additionally, I believe it can be valuable for healthcare professionals, helping them to understand this reality through a more human and empathetic lens.
Team and experience
Director and Screentwritter: Marina Martínez Prados
Assistant Director: Olga Carrasco
Script Supervisor: Kay Stuart Cardona Muñoz
Production: Núria Letang Ripoll i Meritxell Rovira Espinosa
Photography direction: Javier Calvo Salietti
Art direction: Helena Morelli
Costume Designer: Mar Porta Giné