On the outskirts of Madrid lies Europe’s largest shantytown, Cañada Real. Since 2020, its
residents have lived without electricity. Local fifteen-year-old Toni spends his days following his
grandfather, a jack-of-all-trades. When Toni’s family faces eviction, his grandfather refuses to
leave. In the shadows cast by burning bonfires, not only do doubts about the future come alive,
but also magical Roma myths and haunting childhood tales. Sleepless City is both a farewell to
childhood and a sensitive portrait of a vanishing community. The film’s roles are performed by
the very residents of Cañada.
Guillermo Galoe
Guillermo Galoe was born in Madrid, Spain. His films have been presented at Cannes, San
Sebastián, IDFA, and other festivals, and have earned Goya Awards. His short film Even Though
It’s Night (2023) competed for the Palme d’Or in Cannes, won the Goya Award for Best Short
Film, and was nominated for a César. In 2020, Galoe received the prestigious Princess of Girona
Award for Arts and Literature.
On the outskirts of Madrid lies Europe’s largest shantytown, Cañada Real. Since 2020, its
residents have lived without electricity. Local fifteen-year-old Toni spends his days following his
grandfather, a jack-of-all-trades. When Toni’s family faces eviction, his grandfather refuses to
leave. In the shadows cast by burning bonfires, not only do doubts about the future come alive,
but also magical Roma myths and haunting childhood tales. Sleepless City is both a farewell to
childhood and a sensitive portrait of a vanishing community. The film’s roles are performed by
the very residents of Cañada.
Guillermo Galoe
Guillermo Galoe was born in Madrid, Spain. His films have been presented at Cannes, San
Sebastián, IDFA, and other festivals, and have earned Goya Awards. His short film Even Though
It’s Night (2023) competed for the Palme d’Or in Cannes, won the Goya Award for Best Short
Film, and was nominated for a César. In 2020, Galoe received the prestigious Princess of Girona
Award for Arts and Literature.
residents have lived without electricity. Local fifteen-year-old Toni spends his days following his
grandfather, a jack-of-all-trades. When Toni’s family faces eviction, his grandfather refuses to
leave. In the shadows cast by burning bonfires, not only do doubts about the future come alive,
but also magical Roma myths and haunting childhood tales. Sleepless City is both a farewell to
childhood and a sensitive portrait of a vanishing community. The film’s roles are performed by
the very residents of Cañada.
Guillermo Galoe
Guillermo Galoe was born in Madrid, Spain. His films have been presented at Cannes, San
Sebastián, IDFA, and other festivals, and have earned Goya Awards. His short film Even Though
It’s Night (2023) competed for the Palme d’Or in Cannes, won the Goya Award for Best Short
Film, and was nominated for a César. In 2020, Galoe received the prestigious Princess of Girona
Award for Arts and Literature.