Jorge Cantos’ ECAM-Aided ‘The Wanderers’ Blends Social Realism and Magic in Journey Through Spain

Madrid’s ECAM Incubator continues to foster emerging talent, and Jorge Cantos‘ “The Wanderers” (“Los olvidados”) is a project to watch.

Developed by Entre las piedras and Mammut and produced by Eva Bodas, Álvaro Díaz Calvo, Sara de la Fuente and Alberto Tortes, the film explores political and emotional themes with a mystical edge.

It follows Hamza, an unaccompanied minor with extrasensory abilities, on a journey to France. Accompanied by Lucero, his social educator, Hamza’s journey through Spain’s rural landscapes unearths past traumas and navigates the fragile boundaries of love and identity. Shooting is tentatively set for late 2025 or early 2026, with the team seeking additional financing and finalizing international partnerships.

Cantos has crafted an intimate yet ambitious narrative. “The central theme of the film is love, or what we call the limits of love,” he explained. “It’s about what one is willing to do purely because the person they love needs them to. These are wounds carried by all of the characters—wounds of childhood, growth, and identity.” Magical realism subtly emerges through Hamza’s abilities. “It’s not spectacular magic; it’s more sensory and tied to the characters’ emotions,” Cantos elaborated.

Producer Eva Bodas, recently highlighted in Variety as a producer to watch, emphasized the film’s deeply personal nature. “We wanted to go beyond the typical portrayal of unaccompanied minors. Hamza is magical, full of hope, light, and positive potential. His journey reflects the emotional struggles faced by many, offering a new perspective,” she said.

After participating in prestigious development programs such as The Film Academy Residency, The Incubator, and FocusCOPRO at the Cannes Film Festival, the team is set to join the EAVE Marketing Workshop in Luxembourg this November. Next steps include securing co-production partners in France to align with the film’s narrative and presenting the project to Spanish broadcasters like RTVE.

One aspect, potentially attractive to partners, is its social relevance. “Hamza’s story is, in many ways, a reflection of the current political climate in Europe,” Cantos said. “The portrayal of unaccompanied minors in the media is often negative—they’re seen as threats, burdens, or criminals. We wanted to challenge that narrative and show a different side. Hamza is full of hope, light, and the capacity to heal others, especially Lucero. It’s a reciprocal relationship where both characters find something they need in each other.”

“The Wanderers” also stands out for its rare structure. Divided into three parts, the film presents each segment from the emotional perspective of one of the three main characters—Hamza, Lucero, and Lucero’s boyfriend Diego. “The story advances, but we change the viewpoint,” Cantos noted. “It allows us to connect with each character deeply.”

“We want to produce political cinema with a touch of magic,” added Bodas. “We’re looking to break the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction while telling a deeply personal story about love, family, and the challenges faced by unaccompanied minors.”

With its blend of social realism, magical undertones, and emotionally charged character dynamics, “The Wanderers” is well-placed for those ambitions to be met.