A Ghostly Vision Realized: How Guillermo Del Toro Championed Mexico’s First Stop-Motion Feature, "I Am Frankelda"

Published: May 25, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

By Jacob Kleinman

Mexico’s cinematic landscape is poised for a landmark moment with the upcoming Netflix release of "I Am Frankelda," the nation’s first full-length stop-motion animated feature film. This ambitious project, helmed by visionary brothers Roy and Arturo Ambriz, is not just a testament to their unwavering dedication but also a powerful story of perseverance, artistic integrity, and the crucial intervention of a cinematic titan: Guillermo Del Toro. The film, slated to debut globally on June 16th, promises to transport audiences into a macabre and enchanting world, a world that has captivated Mexican audiences for over two decades and now aims to conquer the international stage.

The Genesis of a Darkly Enchanting World

For years, "Frankelda" has been a whispered legend in Mexican households, a beloved character born from a darkly imaginative stop-motion anthology series that first aired on HBO LatAm in 2001. The series, a cult phenomenon, garnered such a devoted following that Roy and Arturo Ambriz frequently found themselves inundated with fan-made treasures – intricate toys, vibrant piñatas, and heartfelt fan fiction – all tributes to the spectral author and her haunting tales. This deep connection with their audience fueled the brothers’ ambition to transcend the episodic format and bring Frankelda’s universe to life in a grand, cinematic spectacle.

"I Am Frankelda" embarks on a deeply personal journey, delving into the origins of its titular character. The film expands upon the established lore, revealing Frankelda not merely as a storyteller but as the ghostly author of her own fantastical narratives. Set against the rich tapestry of 19th-century Mexico, the story plunges into Frankelda’s own subconscious, a labyrinth of her deepest fears and wildest imaginings. Here, she undertakes a perilous adventure to safeguard the very world she conjured with her extraordinary imagination. The film’s aesthetic is a breathtaking fusion of meticulous, handcrafted stop-motion artistry and innovative multimedia elements, designed to resonate with long-time devotees while simultaneously offering a welcoming gateway for newcomers to the Frankelda universe.

A Long and Winding Road: Overcoming Unprecedented Challenges

The journey from a beloved series to a feature-length film was fraught with significant obstacles, not least of which was the nascent state of stop-motion animation infrastructure within the Mexican film industry. For Roy and Arturo Ambriz, the desire to create extended narratives, rather than the more common short films in the stop-motion realm, was a driving force from the outset.

"We really wanted to make a big universe," Arturo explained in an interview with Polygon for their 2026 Summer Preview. "Since we had this opportunity to do a feature film, we really tried to put everything we had in it." This ambition, however, meant confronting a landscape where the established pathways for such ambitious projects simply did not exist.

"There’s no infrastructure," Arturo elaborated. "A lot of stop-motion creators in Mexico also really enjoy the format of the short film. We do not. We are driven towards great narratives: Long films, long books, trilogies, long series. We always knew we wanted to make feature films. It’s been an obsession for us."

The financial burden of such an undertaking was immense. While Warner Bros. provided crucial initial funding, their contribution covered only about a third of the film’s substantial budget. The remaining two-thirds fell squarely on the shoulders of the Ambriz brothers. In a remarkable act of faith and determination, they mortgaged their family home to secure the necessary capital, betting their entire future on the realization of "I Am Frankelda."

"When we finished the film, we had a lot of doubts and a lot of debts," Roy confessed, painting a stark picture of the precarious position they found themselves in. "We didn’t know anything about distribution," Arturo added, highlighting another critical knowledge gap. "It was difficult because nobody believed that this was going to be the success it is now."

The Del Toro Factor: A Guiding Hand and a Crucial Ally

Amidst the financial anxieties and distribution uncertainties, a pivotal figure emerged: Guillermo Del Toro. The celebrated Mexican filmmaker, renowned for his own mastery of dark fantasy and creature features, became an instrumental advocate for "I Am Frankelda." His involvement proved to be the catalyst that propelled the film towards a global platform.

"There were plenty of hurdles along the way, and one savior in the form of Guillermo Del Toro, who helped ensure I Am Frankelda got made and shepherded it to Netflix," the article states. Del Toro’s endorsement not only provided invaluable creative and logistical support but also opened the doors to Netflix, a streamer with a proven track record of championing auteur-driven and artistically unique projects.

The brothers’ initial struggles with distribution took a significant turn once "I Am Frankelda" premiered in Mexican theaters and achieved unexpected box office success. This critical acclaim and audience reception caught the attention of Netflix. Del Toro, who was concurrently working on his own "Frankenstein" project at the time, leveraged his influence to help solidify the deal with the streaming giant.

Arturo shared his gratitude, noting that Netflix’s commitment extended beyond mere distribution. "Not only did Netflix agree to distribute the film, but the streamer is also ‘creating an amazing dub that might be even better than the original Spanish version.’" This dedication to delivering a high-quality international release underscores the film’s potential reach and impact.

A Message of Hope and Human Ingenuity

Beyond its artistic and technical achievements, "I Am Frankelda" carries a profound message. The Ambriz brothers, having poured their hearts and souls, and indeed their very homes, into this project, hope their film will resonate with a specific audience – those who feel unheard and marginalized.

"This film is made for all the creative people that are out there that feel that they are not listened to, that they cannot do their own stories or that also all the people who fear artificial intelligence," Roy articulated, drawing a clear line between the film’s creation and its intended impact. "This is made with human hands and hearts, and it’s made for them."

In an era increasingly dominated by digital artistry and the growing specter of artificial intelligence in creative fields, "I Am Frankelda" stands as a powerful counterpoint. It is a tangible manifestation of human skill, dedication, and imagination, a testament to the enduring power of traditional animation techniques when wielded with vision and passion.

The Future of Mexican Animation

The release of "I Am Frankelda" on Netflix is more than just the debut of a film; it signifies a watershed moment for Mexican cinema and animation. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the country’s creative industries, the Ambriz brothers have not only achieved a personal dream but have also paved the way for future generations of animators and storytellers.

Whether "I Am Frankelda" achieves global blockbuster status or finds its audience through word-of-mouth and critical acclaim, its existence is a triumph. It is a story of artistic conviction, of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, and of the vital role mentors and allies play in bringing bold visions to fruition. The world is now invited to step into Frankelda’s meticulously crafted realm, a realm born from a Mexican dream and brought to life by the magic of stop-motion, with a little help from a Guillermo Del Toro’s guiding hand.

I Am Frankelda hits Netflix on June 16.