Two young girls learn the secret of what it takes to make a truly powerful performance in filmmaker Josefina Pieres’s short film, Two Tears. This coming-of-age story is set within the intense world of ballet, where technique often dominates authenticity. Two Tears serves as a heartfelt reminder that the best performances are born out of love and passion, not only discipline.

Harnessing Passion in the Performance

Ginny (Sofia Bela) and Deana (Sydney Godstein) are eight-year-old aspiring ballet dancers who are eagerly preparing for their debut in The Nutcracker. However, they are so caught up in the art form’s perfectionist tendencies that their passion to dance becomes secondary. One night, they discover a book containing a curse that feels directly related to their upcoming dance. The curse states that the girls must shed two tears of pure emotion or risk their future as dancers. A real dancer leads with passion and emotion, two qualities that Ginny and Deana have been lacking. The only problem is they’re unsure what exactly “emotional tears” means. And so begins their quest to identify this mystery and reverse the curse before it is too late.

The girls share their findings with their ballet teacher, Miss Maia (Krystal Millie Valdes), who quickly brushes off the story as nonsense. But as soon as she is alone, Miss Maia breaks down in tears. Clearly, she knows more than she is letting on. Eventually, Miss Maia confesses her unique connection to the curse and attempts to help Ginny and Deana connect with their deeper, authentic feelings.

Childhood Artistic Awakening

Produced by Mel Quintans and Israel Consuegra, Two Tears is a poetic story about self-trust and artistic awakening in childhood. The sweet performances from the young protagonists, Sydney Godstein and Sofia Bela, anchor the film. Their youthful energy and innocent demeanour are the perfect characteristics for the roles of Ginny and Deana. Their wisdom and maturity shine onscreen, and director Josefina Pieres knows exactly how to harness their strengths for maximum impact. The film’s visual language, including the sensitive and elegant cinematography by Diana Matos and the cinematic score of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, further gives the film its emotional depth.

Director’s Statement

“When I was eleven years old, my father died. From one day to the next, I became a composed, controlled child, hiding my emotions from the world. That same year, I stepped onto a stage for the first time. Through performance, I found a language for feelings I didn’t yet know how to express. Art did not simply save me. It protected me from shutting down. It taught me how to feel. Two Tears is, in many ways, a return to that moment… I recognize myself in these girls, in their discipline, their seriousness, and their desire to do everything right. At its core, Two Tears is about the courage to feel. Because sometimes the answer is not in achieving the dream, but in allowing ourselves to experience it fully.” – Writer/director Josefina Pieres.

Takeaway

It’s easy to get caught up in perfectionism, especially in a competitive setting like ballet. Two Tears reminds viewers of the importance of reconnecting with our authentic selves and allowing passion, rather than internalized expectations, to guide our actions. The film will be making its World Premiere at the 2026 Miami International Film Festival.