10 · 23 · 26

FICM and the Curacao Film Festival Reaffirm Their Alliance to Promote Cinema With a Showcase of Caribbean Short Films

Brisa Naomi R. L.

As part of the closing activities of the 24th edition of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), a special selection of four Caribbean short films, previously screened at the Curaçao International Film Festival, was presented. These films explore a range of themes, from journeys into historical memory within the jungles of Suriname to the realities of urban life and sports.

The presentation was attended by Michael Elias, director of the Curaçao International Film Festival, who highlighted the close relationship between the two festivals, both of which are dedicated to providing visibility to local and independent Caribbean cinema.

The significance of the Watapana Awards was discussed during the event. Named after an iconic tree native to Curaçao that’s known for its ability to take deep root in rocky, arid soil while remaining evergreen. According to the festival delegation, the tree serves as a metaphor for local filmmaking by representing Caribbean filmmakers’ ability to bloom and craft stories with great aesthetic sensitivity, in the face of adversity.

One of the featured short films was Fort BUKU (2025), a winner of the Watapana award, set in the jungles of Suriname, a former Dutch colony. The story follows a magical journey in search of an ancient fort that symbolizes the resistance of communities who fought for their freedom and preserved their ancestral traditions.

This was followed by La calle es nuestra cancha (2026), which follows "Chiquito," a short but very skilled soccer player. The film explores how street sports intersect with urban gambling and criminal environments, as the lead struggles to provide financial support for his family.

The screening also included Caballos de fuerza (2026), which explores the subculture of nighttime motorcycle racing in Curaçao, contrasting the courage and skill of the group’s leader with his internal conflicts and personal dilemmas.

Finally,  ¿Cuál es el plan? (2026), a sharp piece in Papiamento reflecting on cunning, deception, and the clash between individual schemes and the dynamics of the modern world.

Through this screening, the Morelia International Film Festival and the Curaçao International Film Festival reaffirmed their commitment to building cultural and collaborative bridges across the diverse cinematic landscapes of Latin America and the Caribbean, to give a voice to and promote the work of young filmmakers.