Athenea in silhouette
a film by coro & garo

Tonos

When her childhood best friend reappears after years apart, Athenea is forced to confront a lifetime of others speaking on her behalf.

A short film by Coro Benavent
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The Film

Athenea grew up on a farm in Spain surrounded by animals and a big loud family. With them, she barely needed to speak. At school, her best friend Alberto spoke on her behalf. Now in her 20s, she moves to London to prove she has a voice of her own. When Alberto reappears, he tricks her into confronting her biggest fear.

Tonos film still
Tonos film still
Tonos film still
Director's Vision

This film is personal. It's about the voice I lost as a child and the years it took to find it again. It's about the small creatures I kept close by and about my best friend Alejandro who would speak for me until teachers separated us into different classes.

Young Coro with a lamb on the farm

I've directed teams of 40 on micro budgets. Tonos is my most ambitious film so far.

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Coro Benavent, director
Empty theatre stage

As a young woman, I've been praised for my silence many times. It gave mystery to my personality, maybe even made me more attractive. For me, it felt like a cage.

This movie is my way to encourage other young girls to trust their voice, to speak up. I want them to live their way too, unscripted. To create, to be bold, entrepreneurs, singers, to express. Being all the things society asks us to be is impossible, but perhaps we can just 'be', with our own and unique voices. Now, I still have the temptation to remain quiet, but I take the risk every day.

The Team

A women-led production company. A BAFTA-winning writer. An internationally recognised cast. Shot on 16mm film.

Coro Benavent

Coro Benavent

Director & Lead Actress

Co-founder of Garo Studios. Featured by Kodak, Promonews, British Arrows nominated.

Julio Peña

Julio Peña

Lead Actor

Known internationally for Netflix's Berlin and El Cautivo.

Aleksandra Sykulak

Aleksandra Sykulak

Writer

BAFTA-winning screenwriter. Graduate of the National Film and Television School.

Gabrielle Torreborre

Gabrielle Torreborre

Executive Producer

Co-founder of Garo Studios. Featured by Kodak, Promonews, British Arrows nominated.

Teresa

Teresa Trueba

Associate Producer

Production liaison at Garo Studios. Background in Information Systems Management.

Crea Sullivan

Crea Sullivan

Composer

Irish composer, orchestrator, and violinist. Scores spanning film, television, and theatre.

Previous Work

Previous films by Garo Studios

Garo Studios film still Garo Studios film still Garo Studios film still Garo Studios film still Garo Studios film still Garo Studios film still
Under the lights

Support Tonos

Your support funds a women-led production telling a story that matters.

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We're raising £25,000 to make this happen.

Where The Money Goes

16mm Film Stock & Processing

Shot on 16mm for a tactile, warm, memory-like quality.

Cast & Crew

Fair pay for every person on set.

Locations & Production Design

Recreating Athenea's two worlds: the warmth of rural Spain and the isolation of London.

Post-Production & Sound

Colour grading, sound design, and an original score.

Festival Submission & Distribution

Targeting BAFTA, Oscar, and Goya qualifying festivals.

Music & Licensing

Original songs.

Women in Film

Garo Studios is a women-led production company championing auteur-driven cinema.

Tonos is a personal film about reclaiming your voice.

It could be the reflection for many lost voices.

If you're a foundation, a donor, or anyone who would like to see this film come to life, this is your chance to help us. We will be forever grateful.

There are rewards and ways to be officially part of a beautiful journey.

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Coro and Gabby

Thank You

From Coro, Gabby, and everyone working on this short film, it means the world to us. If it means something to you too, we'd love your help making it real.

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