Colombian cinema will once again have a presence at one of the most important film events in the world. The short film “No Nacido,” directed by Liannys Badillo Acosta and produced by Oswaldo Mercado Perez, was selected to participate in the Fantastic Pavilion Vertical Cinema at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, an international showcase dedicated to new audiovisual narratives in vertical format.
The production will be part of the Marché du Film, the festival’s official film market, where producers, distributors, and creators from different countries gather to present innovative projects and emerging trends in global cinema. The selection represents a new recognition for the Colombian audiovisual industry and for independent productions developed in Cartagena.
“No Nacido” has a runtime of three minutes and 59 seconds and was conceived in a vertical 9:16 format, specially designed for mobile devices and digital platforms. The work combines elements of psychological thriller, horror, and fantasy to address themes related to the female body, emotional pain, and social judgment.
The story follows Juana, a woman accused after the discovery of an abortion in the pipes of her home. From this premise, the short film builds a visual and emotional experience that explores guilt, symbolic violence, and the social pressures faced by many women.
The production was filmed in different locations throughout Cartagena de Indias, including Hotel Bella Vista and areas of the Historic Center, which served as settings to create the story’s unsettling and sensory atmosphere.
Vertical cinema gains space at Cannes 2026 with Colombian representation through No Nacido
The participation of No Nacido also reflects the growth of vertical cinema as a new narrative approach within the international audiovisual industry. The Fantastic Pavilion Vertical Cinema brings together projects created specifically for mobile screens, adapting to new digital consumption habits and younger audiences.
For this edition, 28 projects from 17 countries were selected, focusing on genres such as horror, science fiction, fantasy, and psychological thriller. The presence of a Colombian production in this showcase highlights the global interest in new Latin American voices and experimental proposals that break away from traditional filmmaking formats.
The project also originated within the Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI), where it began development in the Cartagena Fantastic section under the Shooting Selection category. Its arrival in Cannes represents an important milestone for its creators and for audiovisual training spaces in Colombia.
Colombia strengthens its presence at the Cannes Film Festival
The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 12 to May 23, 2026, in France, features a strong Colombian presence across different categories and industry spaces.
In addition to “No Nacido,” Colombia is also participating with the short film Peloton Trueno, directed by Theo Montoya, which was selected for the Official Short Film Competition, one of the festival’s most prestigious sections.
Likewise, the Bogoshorts universe will present 10 Colombian productions at the Short Film Corner, while Colombian producers will take part in co-production meetings and international networking platforms.