The Paths of Maria (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

The Paths of Maria follows Maria-Esther, a Black Cuban Santería practitioner preparing to leave for Brazil amid an economic crisis. As her departure approaches and religious intolerance strains her relationship with her sister, she turns to Oxum for guidance about the future.

The Paths of Maria is a 2026 Cuban short film centered on faith, migration and an uncertain decision. Its protagonist, Maria-Esther, is preparing to leave Cuba for Brazil as the economic crisis affecting her country shapes the final days before her departure.

Written by Beatriz Leal and directed by Gabriel Coêlho, the film focuses on Maria-Esther’s search for direction while she confronts both an unclear future and her sister’s religious intolerance. Its concise 10-minute runtime places the story within a tightly defined period of personal and family tension.

The Paths of Maria movie details

Story without spoilers

Maria-Esther is a Black Cuban woman and a practitioner of Santería who is on the verge of emigrating to Brazil. With her departure approaching, she is uncertain about what lies ahead and must also navigate conflict with her sister, whose religious intolerance creates another source of pressure.

Seeking clarity, Maria-Esther turns to Oxum to help reveal her destiny. The premise frames the film around a personal decision shaped by economic hardship, spiritual belief and a strained family relationship, without disclosing how her situation is resolved.

What to expect

The film can be expected to offer a focused short-form drama built around Maria-Esther’s impending move and her effort to understand what comes next. The supplied premise highlights migration from Cuba to Brazil, the influence of Santería and tension between sisters, giving the story a personal and spiritual point of focus.

At 10 minutes, The Paths of Maria presents its central conflict in a compact format. The film’s Cuban setting and Spanish-language presentation further place Maria-Esther’s experience within a specific cultural and social context.

Cast and creative team

The Paths of Maria is directed by Gabriel Coêlho and written by Beatriz Leal. No cast members are listed in the supplied information.

Release and production context

The Paths of Maria is a Cuban production from EICTV Cuba. It is listed as a 2026 film with a release date of October 4, 2026, and a runtime of 10 minutes. The spoken language is Spanish, and the film is classified as released in the supplied metadata.

Production companies: EICTV Cuba

Movies Dock view

The Paths of Maria is a compact story about a woman standing between departure and uncertainty. By placing Maria-Esther’s impending emigration alongside her spiritual practice and conflict with her sister, the film establishes a clear personal dilemma within a Cuban setting. The available information presents it as a brief, focused work rather than an expansive account of migration.

Film data:
TMDB