Spotlight Narrative: Honeyjoon

After the loss of her father, June (Ayden Mayeri) takes a vacation with her mother Lela (Amira Casar) to the picturesque Azores islands in Portugal. Unexpectedly surrounded by honeymooners on their getaway, the mother and daughter attempt to navigate their respective grief journeys in loud silence and sometimes resistance.
Things take a turn when a studly local tour guide (José Condessa) enters their life. June and Lela begin to unravel all that has been unsaid. Attempting to build a bridge over the intergenerational chasm of trauma, the two try to move forward despite everything holding them back.
A recipient of the SFFILM Rainin Grant, Honeyjoon won the AT&T Untold Stories Award at Tribeca Festival, where it premiered in 2025. The film also received the Grand Jury Award at the Three Rivers Film Festival as well as the Audience Award at the New Hampshire Film Festival and Mill Valley Film Festival.
Filmmaker Lilian T. Mehrel’s film arrives just in time for Mother’s Day, serving a narrative that speaks to the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship – specifically from immigrant families. Mehrel brings nuance and boldness to the subtle comedy and poignant emotion that bonds June and Lela.