Ana Asensio: the York’s Spanish star reshapes female narratives
Ana Asensio is a Spanish actress, screenwriter, director, and producer based in New York City for more than two decades. Born in Madrid, she trained as an actress in Spain before continuing her studies in New York, where she built a multifaceted career spanning film, television, theater, and independent filmmaking. Working between Europe and the United States, Asensio has developed a distinctive artistic voice characterized by emotionally resonant storytelling, complex female protagonists, and a deep interest in themes of identity, belonging, and social exclusion.
Before transitioning into feature filmmaking, Asensio established herself as a performer on stage and screen. She produced and starred in three award-winning one-woman shows that were presented Off Broadway and toured internationally, earning recognition for her ability to blend humor, vulnerability, and social observation. Her work as an actress has included roles in film, television, and theater productions in both Spain and the United States, giving her a uniquely bicultural perspective that continues to inform her creative work.
Asensio made her feature directorial debut with Most Beautiful Island (2017), a psychological thriller that she wrote, directed, produced, and starred in. The film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize. Upon its release, Most Beautiful Islandreceived widespread critical acclaim for its gripping portrayal of an undocumented immigrant struggling to survive in New York City. The film was nominated for the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards and screened at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York before securing international distribution.
Over the years, Most Beautiful Island has continued to gain recognition as an important independent film of its generation. The New York Times selected it for its list of “Movies We Love” from the past twenty-five years, while Vulture included it among the horror films that helped shape the genre. Rotten Tomatoes named it one of the 100 best horror films of the 2010s. Critics praised the film’s originality and emotional power, with The Hollywood Reportercalling it “a highly original spin on the immigrant survival story,” Variety celebrating its masterful payoff, and IndieWire describing it as “an utterly spellbinding debut.”
In 2025, Asensio premiered her second feature film, La Niña de la Cabra (Goat Girl), at the Málaga Film Festival. Set on the outskirts of Madrid in 1988, the coming-of-age drama explores childhood, prejudice, spirituality, and social belonging through the friendship between two girls from very different worlds. The film was warmly received by critics and audiences alike and quickly began collecting awards on the international festival circuit. It also received a nomination for Best European Children’s Film, further establishing Asensio as one of the most distinctive emerging voices in contemporary Spanish cinema.
Spanish critics have highlighted the originality and depth of her work. El País described her as “the filmmaker we should be talking about more,” while El Mundo referred to her as a “cult filmmaker.” Reviews of La Niña de la Cabra praised its powerful visual identity, emotional depth, and ability to combine childlike wonder with social commentary. Critics characterized the film as “childlike magic bordering on a social and moral fable” and celebrated Asensio’s ability to create deeply personal stories with universal resonance.
Alongside her filmmaking career, Asensio remains active as an actress. Her upcoming projects include a Spanish Netflix comedy series, two feature films, and a virtual reality series produced for Meta. She is a member of Lincoln Center’s Artist Academy and an alumna of the Sundance Institute.
Today, Asensio continues to develop film and television projects on both sides of the Atlantic. Drawing on her experiences in Spain and the United States, she creates stories that bridge cultures while exploring the complexities of human connection, resilience, and the search for belonging.
GOAT GIRL
CAST & CREW
CAST
Elena: Alessandra González
Serezade: Juncal Fernández
Marisa: Lorena López
Pablo: Javier Pereira
Elena’s Grandma: Gloria Muñoz
Father Carrillo: Enrique Villén
CREW
Director and screenwriter: Ana Asensio
Producers: Pedro Hernández Santos, Stefan Schmitz, Vlad Radulescu
Executive producers: María Beltrán,
Andrea Moya, Emilia Fort, Carmen Rizac, Ana Asensio
Line producer: Almudena Illoro, Fiore Morante
Director of photography: David Tudela
Original music: Marius Leftarache, Ionut Radu
Art director: Carmen Main
Sound: Antonio Mejías
Costume designer: Claudia Pérez Esteban
Make-up artist and Hair stylist: Elena Castaño
Casting directors: Alejando Gil y Judith López
Editor: Nacho Ruiz Capillas
Stills Photography: Manuel Fernández- Valdés
GOAT GIRL
SYNOPSIS
Madrid, 1988. Elena (8) has to cope with the recent loss of her grandmother as she prepares for her First Communion. Her friendship with Serezade (8), a girl who is always with her goat, makes her question whether the world is really as she has been told.
GOAT GIRL
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Production Companies: Aquí y Allí Films, Avalon, Avanpost
Spanish distributor: Avalon
International sales: Outsider Pictures
Nacionality: Spain – Romania
Genre: Family, Friendship, 80s
Original Version: Spanish
Running time: 95’
Format: Digital – Color
Film Rating: Not recommended for children under 7 / Especially recommended for children
