“Kayara” is an adventurous animated film that takes you into the heart of the Inca world. It follows a young girl who dreams of doing what no one in her time believes a girl can do. With sweeping landscapes, ancient traditions, and a big personal journey, the film shows courage, identity, and change.
In a great and ancient land of the Incas, there lives a 16‑year‑old girl named Kayara. From the moment she could walk, she watched the chasquis, the fleet‑footed messengers of the empire, running across mountains and valleys, carrying vital messages and connecting distant places. Everyone says, “Only men become chasquis.” But Kayara feels something else inside her. She believes she can run, she can deliver messages, and she can prove herself.
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Kayara trains in secret. In hidden trails behind her village, she practices leaps, sprints, and climbs. Her faithful guinea pig, Wari, becomes her companion, small, quick, loyal. At home, Kayara hides her ambition from her family and others. She faces whispers: “Stay in your place.” “You’re a girl.” But she cannot listen to the whispers anymore.
One day, a crisis hits the empire. A message must traverse dangerous territory, snow‑capped peaks, roaring rivers, and hidden traps. The chasquis are stretched thin. Kayara sees her chance. She steps forward and says, “Let me run.” Surprise. Doubt. But the elders, under pressure, agree reluctantly. She is given a task.
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Kayara sets off. She runs across ridges and forests. She avoids vultures circling overhead. She climbs cliffs where the rope swings in the wind. She meets allies: a young chasqui who doubts her at first, but slowly respects her; an old guide who tells stories of the land and pushes her to believe. She also faces enemies: a band of raiders who try to stop her; icy water crossings where she must swim; storms that test her will. Each step hurts, each breath matters.
Along the way, she learns more than running. She learns who she is. She learns that her ambition is not just for herself, but for her people. She learns the stories of her ancestors, the land’s history, and the power of her heritage. Wari the guinea pig becomes a symbol: small but brave; one who follows even when the trail is dark.
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Eventually, Kayara must cross a mountain pass by nightfall. Her pack is torn by the wind, and snow covers the path. She remembers the village, the children waiting, the hope she carries. With her last strength, she leaps across a broken bridge‑rope. She lands. She runs the final stretch to deliver the message. The empire is saved from disaster.
In the final scenes, the elders greet her not just as a messenger but as a hero. The villagers cheer. Kayara stands atop a ridge, sunrise behind her, Wari at her side. She is no longer bound by old rules. She has changed the path for girls and boys alike. The story closes with hope: the mountains still stand, the land is wide, and many more runners will follow.
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Director: César Zelada (co‑direction also reported by Dirk Hampel)
Cast: Naomi Serrano (voice of Kayara), Nate Begle, Charles Gonzales
Runtime: 1 hour 21 minutes
Watch trailer here
