The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo ("") is a 2025 drama film directed and written by Diego Céspedes in his feature debut. Set in a remote mining town in northern Chile in 1984, the film follows 12-year-old Lidia as she navigates fear and prejudice when a mysterious illness threatens her queer family and community.
The film is a French and Chilean-led international co-production with France, Belgium, Spain, and Germany. It had its world premiere in the "Un Certain Regard" section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2025, where it won the top prize.
Plot.
1982. Eleven-year-old Lidia lives with her beloved queer family in a desert mining town in northern Chile. As an unknown and deadly disease begins to spread, legend has it that it is transmitted through a simple glance, when two people fall in love. While people are accusing her family, Lidia must find out whether this myth is real or not. 
Production.
In 2019, Diego Céspedes participated in Cannes' Cinéfondation Residence to develop the film. In 2020, the project participated at the Ikusmira Berriak, held during the San Sebastián International Film Festival. It won the TFL Production Award at the 2020 TorinoFilmLab and received €50,000 production grant. In 2021, it also participated at the Producers Summit of the Sundance Institute. In November 2021, it was reported that French production company Les Valseurs would co-produce the film. It was selected to participate at the 2022 Venice's Gap-Financing Market. In November 2023, it received a €139,000 production grant from Eurimages. In May 2024, it was reported that German production company Weydemann Bros Films would co-produce the film. In April 2025, it was announced that Charades had acquired the film's international sales rights.
Principal photography began on 20 May 2024.
Release.
"The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo" had its world premiere at the "Un Certain Regard" section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May 2025.
It will be released in Spain by BTeam Pictures.