The Centerpiece film at the upcoming Caribbean Tales Film Showcase in Toronto, on September 5th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th, Leticia Tonos's La hija natural (Love Child) centers on María, young woman with the strange habit of putting ladybugs in her mouth, who, after her mother dies in an accident, decides to look for the father she has never met. She travels to a nearby town taking what few belongings she has. She finds her father, Joaquín, living in a dark, old house in the middle of an abandoned banana plantation, which the locals claim is haunted by spirits. He lives there with an enigmatic Haitian as his only companion. Having no one else in the world, she has no option but to stay with this drunken and recently widowed old man, and confront the ghosts of the past that haunt them both.

A graduate of the London Film School, Leticia Tonos says she's more interested in posing questions than making statements, and especially prefers tackling social issues.

The Dominican Republic/Puerto Rico co-producted melodrama, is one of a handful of film screenings and presentations that engage family, youth and community in an appreciation of films, from all corners of the Caribbean Region and Diaspora.

Watch its trailer below: