Chile’s Sanfic Industria Heralds Change in Latin American Cinema

As a seasoned cinephile who has journeyed through the labyrinth of global cinema for decades, I can confidently say that this year’s Santiago International Film Festival (Sanfic) is an unmissable event that promises to push the boundaries of storytelling and immerse us in a kaleidoscope of audiovisual experiences.

From August 18 to August 25, the Santiago International Film Festival (Sanfic), along with its affiliate Sanfic Industria, which is in its 13th year, will be celebrating their respective 20th and 13th editions. This event coincides with promising growth patterns in Chile and Latin America’s audiovisual industries.

As a passionate cinemaphile, I’ve been closely following the strides made by Sanfic Industria, a platform dedicated to empowering Ibero-American filmmakers like myself. Led by festival co-founder Gabriela Sandoval, this dynamic organization keeps pace with the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.

For the third consecutive year, Sanfic XR is showcasing innovative virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences. Attendees can delve into advanced extended reality projects from Chile, international debuts, and creations from national and Iberoamerican XR labs. This year’s event broadens its scope by adding tech center CRTIC and cultural center Matucana 100 to its roster of venues.

One of the projects is “Cerati XR,” an immersive augmented reality experience that takes you on a journey through dreamlike landscapes. In this journey, the songs “Lisa,” “Corazón Delator,” and “Raíz” are brought to life in mesmerizing visuals. This project uniquely merges music and animation into one captivating world.

Produced collaboratively by Galgo Storytelling from Chile and NowHere Media from Germany, “Ancestral Secret VR” is set to debut at Sanfic XR. This immersive production takes the viewer on a journey into not only the physical realm but also the sacred world of Peru’s Indigenous Q’eros community. As described by Galgo Storytelling producer María José Diaz, it seamlessly combines indigenous wisdom with cutting-edge technology.

In Sanfic Industria, some key components include the Ibero-American Work in Progress, Santiago LAB for fiction and documentaries, Series LAB for both genres, Producers Lab, Sanfic-Morbido Lab, Sanfic Series featuring series debuts, Sanfic ODS LAB, and Sanfic NET which hosts Business Roundtables.

2019 saw the debut of the Sanfic Series sidebar, featuring the premiere of two documentary series. “Versus,” directed by Raúl Cuesta Jiménez, delves into the grueling work, self-sacrifice, and unwavering commitment that a tennis player like Nicolás Jarry endures to reach a top global ranking. On the other hand, “The 43 from Ayotzinapa: A State Crime,” streaming on Max, examines the arduous, decade-long quest for justice and accountability by the parents of the 43 disappeared students, in their struggle against the Mexican government.

During a chat with EbMaster, Sandoval delved deeper into the current status of the Latin American and Chilean markets, specifically focusing on them via the perspective of Sanfic Industria.

What are your thoughts on the current state of Latin American cinema?

Latin American cinema stands out for its audiovisual power and unique storytelling perspectives. Despite challenges like unstable conditions and limited state support, producers and creators craft diverse narratives that address regional social and political issues, including historical memory, human rights, migration, and diversity. Recent trends emphasize storytelling with dignity and respect while exploring a wider range of genres for global audiences. Co-productions are increasingly vital, particularly for countries with limited funding, and new generations of filmmakers are enriching the industry with fresh narratives and perspectives.

What have you observed about Chilean Cinema?

As a passionate admirer of cinema, I’ve been thrilled to witness the remarkable growth of Chilean filmmaking. Established veterans and budding talents alike are bringing innovative ideas and approaches to the table, which is clearly reflected in the rising presence of Chilean content at international festivals and industry events.

Over the past decade, it’s been noticed that Chile has outnumbered Argentina in terms of Oscar nominations. However, Argentina still holds the historical record. So, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this shift.

2023 saw Chilean cinema flourishing on a global scale, amassing more than 300 international accolades, according to CinemaChile. These Chilean productions are increasingly being distributed worldwide and frequently engage in collaborative efforts with filmmakers from other nations.

Chilean productions are expanding their horizons, collaborating with various countries financially and showcasing a mix of international artistic and technical skills. Streaming giants like Netflix support these ventures, expanding their influence worldwide. Notable examples include “El Conde,” which was nominated for the best cinematography Oscar, and “La Memoria Infinita,” nominated for best documentary. These accolades not only enhance Chilean cinema but also put the spotlight on Spanish-language films on a global platform.

It seems there has been a substantial increase in the number of people interested and the sales of genre films, as evidenced by the Locarno festival. Is this your observation too? I suspect this trend might be contributing to the establishment of Sanfic-Morbido.

Over the last ten years, the horror and fantasy film genre has witnessed an impressive revival, gracing numerous cross-genre festivals and streaming platforms. This renaissance can largely be attributed to innovative creators and producers who are breathing new life into storytelling and visual styles, departing from the gruesome and psychologically distressing aesthetics of the 1980s. As a result, horror and fantasy films are gaining more traction globally, and Ibero-American cinema serves as a compelling illustration of this trend. In this vibrant landscape, Sanfic-Morbido was conceived with the mission to bolster the regional industry of genre cinema: specifically, horror and fantasy productions.

What is being launched in this 20th edition, a milestone for Sanfic.

In celebration of our festival’s milestone, we will be bestowing the Industria Award upon three esteemed global figures who have played pivotal roles in shaping the Ibero-American audiovisual industry. The recipients include John Hopewell, the International Features Editor of EbMaster, making his first visit to the country to accept this honor; Elena Vilardell, who has been serving as Technical and Executive Secretary for the Ibermedia I Program since 1998 and continues in this role; and Bina Daigeler, a renowned German costume designer nominated for an Oscar in the Best Costume Design category for Disney’s “Mulan” remake, who also boasts collaborations with Almodóvar, Jim Jarmusch, Cate Blanchett, and numerous others.

Next year, LatAm Cinema editor Gerardo Michelin would be a perfect recipient.

For the first time this year, we’ll be joined by the CAACI, the Conference of Ibero-American Audiovisual and Cinematographic Authorities, an international organization within the Ibero-American region that specializes in audiovisual and cinematographic matters. They will hold their advisory councils during Sanfic Industria, and we’ll have three public events, including discussions on “Tax Incentives for Audiovisual Production,” “The Role of the Producer in Current Times” and “Gender, Cultural Diversity, and Sexual Identity: How These Are Important for a Project.”

We’ll have 14 public events in total.

2024-08-18 18:18

Chile’s Sanfic Industria Heralds Change in Latin American Cinema

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