An animated short film produced by the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV) has received international recognition for its portrayal of the experiences of refugee children. Mi nombre es Name (My Name Is Name), an educational project led by UCV’s Caixa Popular Chair for the Study of Social Challenges and Vulnerability, won third prize in the Animation category at the Festival de Cine: Infancia y Adolescencia in Bogotá, Colombia. It has also been selected for nine other international film festivals across Spain, the United States, Colombia and the Netherlands.
The achievement is particularly notable given the competition: the 2026 Bogotá festival received 1,334 submissions from 75 countries, with only 89 works selected to compete.
A universal story of childhood, war and hope
Mi nombre es Name tells the story of a young girl forced to flee her home because of war. By leaving the protagonist’s country of origin unspecified, the film connects her experience to humanitarian crises around the world, inviting audiences to reflect on the impact of conflict on children.
The project was first presented at UCV in 2025 as an illustrated children’s book and an audiovisual adaptation. Written by university lecturer Montserrat Roca and illustrated by fellow lecturer Santiago Tena, the story draws inspiration from the real-life experience of a refugee girl named Name, whom Roca’s daughter met at a refugee camp in Greece.
The book uses the image of a heron as a metaphor for freedom, contrasting the ability of birds to migrate freely with the barriers faced by displaced people. The animated adaptation features narration by Spanish singer Rozalén, while an accompanying teaching guide helps educators address forced migration and the experiences of refugee children in the classroom.
Taking the message beyond the classroom
For Alexis Cloquell, Director of the Caixa Popular Chair and project coordinator, the film’s international recognition demonstrates its ability to reach audiences beyond the educational sphere.
Building on this success, the Chair is preparing to expand the film’s use in educational, academic and social settings, with screenings accompanied by activities and resources that encourage discussion among young people and students.
Through Mi nombre es Name, UCV demonstrates how education and creativity can raise awareness of global challenges, turning a story of displacement into an opportunity for learning and empathy.
