Context:

Guillermo del Toro has been a formative mentor to Roy and Arturo Ambriz, shaping their approach to stop-motion and storytelling as they develop I Am Frankelda. The film follows 19th-century horror writer Francisca Imelda, with her creations coming to life, and is slated to premiere on Netflix, marking a milestone for Mexican cinema. The brothers’ path into stop-motion began after a workshop led by del Toro, fueling their shift from traditional animation to a craft they describe as natural for their storytelling. Del Toro encouraged risk-taking and embracing imperfections as sources of magic. The project underscores a broader moment for Mexican-genre animation while signaling future momentum for the duo on a global platform.

Dive Deeper:

• Roy and Arturo Ambriz credit Guillermo del Toro as a mentor who has deeply influenced their craft, emphasizing his guidance on the nuances of stop-motion and storytelling.

• Both brothers transitioned from traditional animation to stop-motion after attending a workshop run by del Toro, which sparked their fascination with the medium and its potential for their narratives.

• I Am Frankelda centers on Francisca Imelda, a 19th-century horror writer whose creations come to life, with the narrative shaping the visual and thematic scope of the film.

• Production was a labor of love conducted by a small team, with each frame, character, set, and prop handmade to preserve authenticity and capture the intended atmosphere.

• Del Toro’s influence extended to encouraging risk-taking and accepting imperfections as integral to the magic of stop-motion, a philosophy the Ambriz brothers embraced during production.

• The Netflix premiere on June 16, 2026, positions the film as a notable milestone for Mexican cinema in the international streaming landscape and could broaden access to high-end regional animation.

• As they reflect on their journey, the brothers express hope that audiences connect with the story and recognize the universal power of storytelling across cultures.