Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, becomes the epicenter of world cinema for a week with the 64th edition of the Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival (FICCI), running from today until Sunday. This year, the event will feature over 190 screenings, including 60 national premieres, 30 Latin American premieres, and 20 world premieres.
The festival will bring together filmmakers, scholars, critics, and the general public, creating a space where cinema is experienced, debated, and transformed. Many of the screenings will be free of charge so that locals and tourists can enjoy the best of world cinema. The festival reaffirms its commitment to innovation and diversity, expanding its offerings to include not only auteur cinema but also training spaces and business roundtables.
The 2025 Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival
This edition, from April 1 to April 6, will pay tribute to three great figures of international cinema:
Pablo Larrain (Chile): Renowned for his bold style and his ability to address social and political issues, Larraín has directed films such as No, Jackie, Neruda, and Spencer. His latest work, El Conde, will also be screened during the festival. Larraín stands out for exploring historical memory and power through deeply human narratives.
Raoul Peck (Haiti): This filmmaker is acclaimed for his critical approach and commitment to social justice. Among his most notable works are I Am Not Your Negro, based on the writings of James Baldwin, and The Young Karl Marx. Peck uses cinema as a tool to question power structures and highlight the struggles of marginalized communities.
Angela Molina (Spain): An icon of Ibero-American cinema with a career spanning over five decades, she has worked with directors such as Luis Buñuel and Pedro Almodóvar. Her versatility and talent have left an indelible mark on film history. Her presence at the festival will be a tribute to her impressive artistic legacy.
Documentary ‘Alma del Desierto” opens the Cartagena Film Festival
The 64th edition of the Cartagena International Film Festival opened with the documentary “Alma del Desierto”, directed by Monica Taboada-Tapia. This moving piece tells the story of Georgina Epiayú, a trans woman from the Wayuu indigenous community who fights for the recognition of her identity in La Guajira, Colombia.
The documentary explores the social and cultural challenges Georgina faces as she reclaims her right to be who she is, highlighting the strength and resilience of indigenous communities in the face of discrimination.
Taboada-Tapia has described her film as a tribute to diversity and resilience, emphasizing the importance of giving visibility to human stories from Colombian territory. Filmed amid the breathtaking landscapes of La Guajira, the work seeks to inspire profound reflections on identity and respect for difference.
Thematic sections and special activities
This edition presents a diverse range of thematic sections that highlight the richness and diversity of contemporary cinema. Some of the most prominent are:
Cine en los Barrios (Cinema in the Neighborhoods): An initiative that brings free screenings to communities, squares, and parks in Cartagena, making cinema accessible to every corner of the city.
Gender Section: Focused on films that address identity, diversity, and gender equity, fostering a deep and necessary reflection.
Fertile Grounds: Dedicated to works that explore new narratives and cinematic experiments, offering a space for independent and innovative cinema.
Editorial Section: A space for critical analysis and reflection on cinema, in collaboration with the Gabo Foundation.
The festival will also feature special activities such as the Laboratory of Images, which will take place at the former residence of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a setting filled with literary and artistic inspiration.
Additionally, training programs such as “Ópera Prima Lab” and “La Residencia FICCI” are designed to support new talents in Colombian and Latin American cinema.
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