The Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival celebrated its most vibrant and promising edition in 2025, reinforcing its status as one of the region’s most significant cinematic events. With each new installment, the festival not only pays tribute to the 7th art but also projects emerging Ibero-American talent onto the global stage.
In this latest edition, the festival reaffirmed its role as a window to what is yet to come, a creative home for innovative voices. More than 190 movies were shown at the festival, and the local government reports that more than 60,000 people attended the event.
From its headquarters in the historic city of Cartagena, it serves as a bridge between Ibero-American cinema and the rest of the world, providing a vital platform for new storytellers to amplify their careers and connect with international audiences.
Young locals were front and center of the 2025 Cartagena Film Festival
Young creatives were front and center, actively participating in all festival divisions. Their presence showcased the importance of inclusion and collaboration, principles that remain at the heart of this year’s event. The organizers emphasized that the involvement of up-and-coming talent is a fundamental pillar of the festival’s mission.
At the same time, the festival continues to deepen its commitment to its local roots in Cartagena, unveiling new initiatives designed to strengthen its bond with the city.
While celebrating fresh voices, it also honors established filmmakers who have left an indelible mark on the industry, reflecting a rich blend of tradition and innovation.
Various creatives gave Colombia One their perspective on the event
Monica Taboada, director of the “Alma del Desierto” documentary, told ColombiaOne, “For a Colombian viewer, watching one of these films means coming into contact with a completely different territory—an unimaginable reality that can teach us a great deal about the times we’re living in and also offer plenty of inspiration as we navigate our own lives.”
Angstar Vogt, the artistic director of the Cartagena Film Festival, said, “We have a new development regarding our Image Lab—it’s a space for film analysis and critique, as well as a chance to learn about and discuss various audiovisual formats.”
Additionally, short film director and Cartagena local, Santiago Alejandro Muñoz, told ColombiaOne, “We, the people of Cartagena, should be proud to host a festival of this magnitude—one that gives directors a space to gather, connect, and showcase aspects of our city: its stories, its characters, our idiosyncrasies, our language, and our culture. I believe any director would be thrilled to be here, seeing their projects come to life in such a vibrant setting.”