Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), through Morelia Pro, with the support of the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity in Mexico and Cultural Survival, held the 3rd Film Development Lab for Filmmakers of Indigenous and African Descent in Latin America.The Laboratory took place from October 8 to 12, 2025, in the city of Morelia, Micoacán, as part of the Indigenous Peoples Forum of the 23rd edition of FICM. It is a space for training and reflection that contributes to the development of film proposals by filmmakers from indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant communities in our country. With this lab, FICM seeks to contribute to the professionalization of ten filmmakers belonging to different ethnic groups and regions of Mexico, so that their projects in development can be advised by experts in the field of filmmaking.The Lab was made possible thanks to the generous support of Netflix's Creative Equity Fund and the independent organization Cultural Survival. PROJECTS Yaremi Chan Maya, CampecheYaremi Chan is a filmmaker, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, theater director and actress. State Youth Award for Artistic and Popular Expressions. Scholarship for artistic excellence. She is the first Mayan woman from the Yucatán Peninsula to win the ECAMC-IMCINE call to produce the feature film Maaya Ko’olelo’ob: Muuk’. Founder of the first women’s theater group in Seybaplaya.K baakelo’on | Nuestros huesos | Our BonesDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMMaria (62 years old) is a woman from Pomuch, a Mayan village where the traditional bone cleaning is performed as part of the “Janal Pixan” (Day of the Dead) traditions. She holds in her memory the knowledge and customs of her people and at the same time reflects on her identity. Her “mulix” (curly) hair and her skin carry a Mayan identity but also that of Afro-descendant heritage. Nisaguie Abril Afro-Zapotec, OaxacaAfro-Zapotec social anthropologist from Juchitán, Oaxaca. She holds a master’s degree and a specialization in Regional Rural Development. Passionate about art and audiovisual media, she teaches high school students to express themselves and reflect using creative and audiovisual tools.Benda YuuzeFICTION SHORT FILMBacanda, a Zapotec girl who lives with her grandparents Na Amelia and Ta José in a coastal village, grew up hearing stories about a mythical creature: the Benda Yuuze, a horned serpent that, when awakened, unleashes storms capable of wiping out entire villages. When the beast awakens and her village is in danger, Bacanda embarks on a journey guided by the stories of her grandparents. Tatiana García Afro-descendant, Mexico CityCreative producer with 22 years of experience in film, TV, and digital content. Recognized for award winning documentaries, she is an expert in production, musicalization, writing, and project development. Her narrative approach stands out for its innovation, rigor, and cultural depth, with stories centered on Afro-Latinx identities, from concept to screen. She’s also a radio host.El país que éramos nosotras | The Country We WereDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMThe Country We Were is an intimate and political documentary that draws on the director’s family history to explore the legacy of racism, forced migration, and identity construction among Afro-descendant and biracial women in Latin America. Through the portrait of three generations of women, the film traces an emotional map of what it means to be born in an uncomfortable skin and to resist through tenderness, memory, and disobedience. Mariana Yareth Hernández Cortés Nahuatl, ColimaFilmmaker and visual storyteller of Nahua heritage, born in Colima in 1996. Her work explores the intersections between memory, identity, and territory. She has developed a notable career in independent cinema, addressing narratives that challenge the boundaries of documentaryDel mar al volcán | From Sea to VolcanoDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMFrom the Pacific coast to the Fuego Volcano, there is a paradise that preserves the richness of its ecosystems and ancestral knowledge. Jungles, mangroves, beaches, and mountains coexist in a fragile balance that communities strive to protect. Through legends, memories, and practices inherited from the Nahuatl peoples, they invite us to explore their territory and hear their story: a daily struggle for livingwell. Bernardino López Tsotsil, ChiapasIndependent filmmaker, editor, and screenwriter from the community of Bochojbo Alto, Zinacantán, Chiapas. He began filming in his hometown during his adolescence, combining this practice with his intercultural studies. For over ten years, he has specialized in cinema, developing a wide range of skills across the field.Sueños contradictorios | Dreams in ConflictFICTION FEATURE FILMJuan and Pablo have been Tsotsil friends since they were children in Chiapas. Pablo dreams of being what he sees on television: “being a drug trafficker”, while Juan dreams of being like his father: “a great musician.” They took different paths until one day they achieved what they wanted to be. However, Juan is still in a very poor financial situation. His mother had died, so he joined Pablo’s group without thinking about his final destination. Celina Manuel P’urhépecha, MichoacánPurépecha filmmaker trained independently. Her short films La espera and Mintsita, Paisajes y respiraciones interferidos; have been presented at festivals such as VLAFF, Docs MX, Cinemaqueer MX, FIC Wallmapu, Ambulante, among others. She was part of Talents Guadalajara (FICG37), the COOFILM residency (2023), and the EFM at the Berlinale (2023). She currently collaborates and explores the processes of film training and production with various groups and organizations.Para curarnos el paisaje herido | To Heal Our Wounded LandscapeDOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMWhat do the living scriptures of a vegetal and mineral landscape tell us? How does this territory dialogue with the hands that guard the medicinal memory? The hands of Tsinajpiris, Purépecha women, who care and heal with herbs. This is an audiovisual incantation and herbal, with several voices, to continue trusting in the healing of our wounded landscape. Cande Palma Afro-indígena, GuerreroDirector and producer. Graduate of EICTV in Cuba, with studies in communication and information systems. Interested in territorial defense, human rights, culture, and gender issues. Founder of Trashumantes, Cinegro, and the Itinerant Community Film Residency. Directed the documentaries Rojo and Flores de mi tierra. Recipient of the Jenkins-Del Toro Fellowship.El arreglo | The ArrangementDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMOn social media, many people are shocked to see images of two young people getting married at an early age. However, in the communal land communities of Cacahuatepec, in Acapulco, Guerrero, it is common for young people to get married or start living together as early as 14 or 15. At that age, some girls already begin having children and taking on adult responsibilities. Luis Kies Maya, YucatánFilmmaker from Kanasín, Yucatán. He began his artistic training in 2010 at the State Center for Fine Arts, where he studied music initiation with a specialization in cello. Years later, in 2015, he turned to the world of images through analog photography under the guidance of professor Eduardo Arco. In 2017, he entered the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, where he specialized in directing.Poch VaqueroFICTION FEATURE FILMPequeño, a young bull roper, is forced to take on the role of head of the family after his father’s death. He finds out his father left behind a debt, and they’re about to lose their home. Working as a ranch hand, he slowly gets drawn into the cowboy world and eventually takes part in the roping tournaments known as Torneo de Lazo, hoping to win a prize that will help him reclaim his honor. Kpaima (Norma Delia Robles Carrillo) Wixárica, JaliscoShe is originally from the Wixárika community and holds a degree in Educational Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit (UAN). She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Creation at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ). Her commitment to preserving the language and culture of her people has led her to promote various initiatives for their strengthening and dissemination, including writing poetry in her native language and exploring filmmaking.Caminares que germinan en la jícara sagrada | Walks That Germinatein the Sacred GourdDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMThe paths of four Indigenous women from different corners of the country intertwine to form a beautiful story we wish to tell the girls of our communities. Sitlalli and her political leadership; Innocence and her music; Zenaida and her fight for human rights; Olivia and her poetry. Four women and friends whom I admire for raising their voices and building their own stories. Antonio Jesús Sánchez Felipe (Ish Tejk) Mixe, OaxacaAyuuk political scientist and co-founder of the film collective Ish Tejk, from where he has documented and accompanied processes in defense of the territory of indigenous peoples, free media and language revitalization. His works have been selected in Spain, Colombia, United States, Peru, Argentina and Mexico. Winner of the Oaxaca Youth Award and Audience Award at INDIFEST 2023.Kondoy: Los nuevos caminos de la nación Ayuuk | Kondoy: The New Paths of the Ayuuk NationDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMFer and Luis are reunited in the stewardship of their family 10 years after leaving their community, Fer joined the armed forces while Luis dedicated himself to activism for the dignity of the people and defense of the territory, they find a people of which little is said and that is far from the one they remember. A town where color and folklore serve as a gag in the face of violence, organized crime and governmental oblivion. MENTORS Sofía Arroyo Film promoter, activist, and social justice philanthropy professional dedicated to advancing systemic change, Indigenous rights, and new narratives. She earned a BA in Communications with a major in film from Universidad Iberoamericana and worked for many years in the film and advertising industry as an assistant director and director. She later served for over a decade in philanthropy and social justice, most recently as Executive Director of EDGE Funders Alliance. She now works as an independent consultant and sits on the boards of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, Kindle Project, and JASS (Just Associates). She promotes social change by raising awareness of values and perspectives rooted in ancestral traditions and advocating for a just, interconnected world. Myriam Bravo Actress and producer. She made her debut in 2007 with Espiral and has appeared in films such as La casa más grande del mundo, Huachicolero, Vergüenza, Mujeres del alba, Nudo mixteco, and Valentina o la serenidad, for which she won the “Colón de Plata” at Huelva 2023 and received a nomination for the Ariel Award in 2024. Her short film credits include Patrona, Un brillo de amor incomprensible, El tigre y la flor, La carta, and La tiricia o cómo curar la tristeza. Her performance in La tierra y la carne earned her the Best Performance Award at the Buenos Aires International Film Festival. Since 2011, she has collaborated as a casting director and acting coach, while also leading workshops that strengthen the training and creativity of emerging performers. Amalia Córdova Curator and researcher of Indigenous film. She is the Supervisory Museum Curator of World Cultures at the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and co-directs the Smithsonian Mother Tongue Film Festival. She was a Latin American specialist for the Film + Video Center of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and taught Indigenous media workshops at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She has a Ph.D. in Cinema Studies and an M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University and holds a BA in Aesthetics and a BFA from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile-Santiago. Her book Frames of Resistance: the Cinemas of Abya Yala has just been published with Oxford University Press. She is from Santiago, Chile/ Wallmapu. Martha Fritz With a degree in Communication Sciences from the Universidad Iberoamericana, she is a specialist in the administration of music catalogs and their royalties, as well as in the management of music licenses and materials for audiovisual works. Currently, she is an associate of All Entertainment Abogados, S.C., a firm that provides legal and administrative advice to creators and holders of copyrights and related rights. Fundamentally, she works hand in hand with directors and audiovisual producers to optimize their resources and obtain good music and content for their projects. She has participated in numerous seminars and has had the good fortune to be invited to workshops and conferences to share knowledge. Alejandra Ley Actress, singer, comedian, artivist, and mother of Fer, with a 33-year artistic career. She began in telenovelas such as Carrusel de las Américas and Marimar, and Eternamente amándonos. She has appeared in series like Blue Demon, Contra las cuerdas, and Todo va a estar bien; and in films including Cuatro lunas, Locas por el cambio, and La Usurpadora: The Musical. On stage, she has starred in Mother Courage and La tía Mariela. In 2025, she celebrated her career with Perfidia: Boleros en deconstrucción at the International Cabaret Festival in Mexico City. As a stand-up comedian, she was the first woman to record a Spanishlanguage special for Comedy Central and has performed in Mexico and Colombia. She is the lead vocalist of the all-women band Las Pinups and the creator of the feminist festival La Verbena Sorora. In 2023, she was recognized by the Mexican Senate for her work as an LGBT+ content creator. Martha Orozco She is the founder of MartFilms, a boutique production company focused on social issues that highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her productions have received international acclaim, including Allende, mi abuelo Allende (2015), which won at Cannes in 2015. Her latest films include La hija de todas las rabias (2022) and Cae al sol (2022). Since 2005, she has been a teacher, specializing in pitching and film project development. She directed the production department at EICTV (Cuba) and coordinated the documentary area at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC, Mexico). In Pornomelancolía (2022) and Puentes en el Mar, she explored film genres blending fiction and non-fiction. Her interest in fostering co production in emerging industries has led her to collaborate with Cuba, Uruguay, and Peru. She is also the co-author of the Basic Cinematography Handbook (2014). Laura Santullo Writer and screenwriter, she is the author or co-author of feature films such as La Zona, Desierto adentro, La demora, Un monstruo de mil cabezas, El otro Tom —which she also co-directed with Rodrigo Plá— and La caja. Her most recent film, Los nuevos, is currently in post-production. She has received three Ariel Awards, as well as the Best Screenplay Award at the Athens International Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Lima Film Festival, and Best Director at both the Warsaw International Film Festival and the Morelia International Film Festival. Alongside her film career, she has published five novels and a short story collection. Since 2012, she has taught screenwriting and film adaptation courses and workshops at institutions such as ECU, CCC, and EICTV, as well as in various cities across Mexico, where she has also conducted specialized seminars on screenwriting and adaptation. Xun Sero Cinematographer, editor, and film director of Maya Tsotsil origin. He trained through workshops and documentary filmmaking diploma programs such as Ambulante Más Allá, CCC con patas, and the Documentary Film School of San Cristóbal de Las Casas (where he currently teaches cinematography). He has worked as cinematographer on 15 documentaries and 2 documentary television series, including Un lugar más grande by Nicolas Défossé; Marino y los Auténticos by Cristóbal Jasso; Ch’ul be – Senda Sagrada by Humberto Gómez; Negra and Nyanga by director Medhin Tewolde Serrano; Agatha y el amor and Kuxlejal by director Elke Franke; and El Nail and Don de Ser by Néstor Jiménez. In 2022, he made his directorial debut with Mamá.
PROJECTS Yaremi Chan Maya, CampecheYaremi Chan is a filmmaker, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, theater director and actress. State Youth Award for Artistic and Popular Expressions. Scholarship for artistic excellence. She is the first Mayan woman from the Yucatán Peninsula to win the ECAMC-IMCINE call to produce the feature film Maaya Ko’olelo’ob: Muuk’. Founder of the first women’s theater group in Seybaplaya.K baakelo’on | Nuestros huesos | Our BonesDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMMaria (62 years old) is a woman from Pomuch, a Mayan village where the traditional bone cleaning is performed as part of the “Janal Pixan” (Day of the Dead) traditions. She holds in her memory the knowledge and customs of her people and at the same time reflects on her identity. Her “mulix” (curly) hair and her skin carry a Mayan identity but also that of Afro-descendant heritage. Nisaguie Abril Afro-Zapotec, OaxacaAfro-Zapotec social anthropologist from Juchitán, Oaxaca. She holds a master’s degree and a specialization in Regional Rural Development. Passionate about art and audiovisual media, she teaches high school students to express themselves and reflect using creative and audiovisual tools.Benda YuuzeFICTION SHORT FILMBacanda, a Zapotec girl who lives with her grandparents Na Amelia and Ta José in a coastal village, grew up hearing stories about a mythical creature: the Benda Yuuze, a horned serpent that, when awakened, unleashes storms capable of wiping out entire villages. When the beast awakens and her village is in danger, Bacanda embarks on a journey guided by the stories of her grandparents. Tatiana García Afro-descendant, Mexico CityCreative producer with 22 years of experience in film, TV, and digital content. Recognized for award winning documentaries, she is an expert in production, musicalization, writing, and project development. Her narrative approach stands out for its innovation, rigor, and cultural depth, with stories centered on Afro-Latinx identities, from concept to screen. She’s also a radio host.El país que éramos nosotras | The Country We WereDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMThe Country We Were is an intimate and political documentary that draws on the director’s family history to explore the legacy of racism, forced migration, and identity construction among Afro-descendant and biracial women in Latin America. Through the portrait of three generations of women, the film traces an emotional map of what it means to be born in an uncomfortable skin and to resist through tenderness, memory, and disobedience. Mariana Yareth Hernández Cortés Nahuatl, ColimaFilmmaker and visual storyteller of Nahua heritage, born in Colima in 1996. Her work explores the intersections between memory, identity, and territory. She has developed a notable career in independent cinema, addressing narratives that challenge the boundaries of documentaryDel mar al volcán | From Sea to VolcanoDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMFrom the Pacific coast to the Fuego Volcano, there is a paradise that preserves the richness of its ecosystems and ancestral knowledge. Jungles, mangroves, beaches, and mountains coexist in a fragile balance that communities strive to protect. Through legends, memories, and practices inherited from the Nahuatl peoples, they invite us to explore their territory and hear their story: a daily struggle for livingwell. Bernardino López Tsotsil, ChiapasIndependent filmmaker, editor, and screenwriter from the community of Bochojbo Alto, Zinacantán, Chiapas. He began filming in his hometown during his adolescence, combining this practice with his intercultural studies. For over ten years, he has specialized in cinema, developing a wide range of skills across the field.Sueños contradictorios | Dreams in ConflictFICTION FEATURE FILMJuan and Pablo have been Tsotsil friends since they were children in Chiapas. Pablo dreams of being what he sees on television: “being a drug trafficker”, while Juan dreams of being like his father: “a great musician.” They took different paths until one day they achieved what they wanted to be. However, Juan is still in a very poor financial situation. His mother had died, so he joined Pablo’s group without thinking about his final destination. Celina Manuel P’urhépecha, MichoacánPurépecha filmmaker trained independently. Her short films La espera and Mintsita, Paisajes y respiraciones interferidos; have been presented at festivals such as VLAFF, Docs MX, Cinemaqueer MX, FIC Wallmapu, Ambulante, among others. She was part of Talents Guadalajara (FICG37), the COOFILM residency (2023), and the EFM at the Berlinale (2023). She currently collaborates and explores the processes of film training and production with various groups and organizations.Para curarnos el paisaje herido | To Heal Our Wounded LandscapeDOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMWhat do the living scriptures of a vegetal and mineral landscape tell us? How does this territory dialogue with the hands that guard the medicinal memory? The hands of Tsinajpiris, Purépecha women, who care and heal with herbs. This is an audiovisual incantation and herbal, with several voices, to continue trusting in the healing of our wounded landscape. Cande Palma Afro-indígena, GuerreroDirector and producer. Graduate of EICTV in Cuba, with studies in communication and information systems. Interested in territorial defense, human rights, culture, and gender issues. Founder of Trashumantes, Cinegro, and the Itinerant Community Film Residency. Directed the documentaries Rojo and Flores de mi tierra. Recipient of the Jenkins-Del Toro Fellowship.El arreglo | The ArrangementDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMOn social media, many people are shocked to see images of two young people getting married at an early age. However, in the communal land communities of Cacahuatepec, in Acapulco, Guerrero, it is common for young people to get married or start living together as early as 14 or 15. At that age, some girls already begin having children and taking on adult responsibilities. Luis Kies Maya, YucatánFilmmaker from Kanasín, Yucatán. He began his artistic training in 2010 at the State Center for Fine Arts, where he studied music initiation with a specialization in cello. Years later, in 2015, he turned to the world of images through analog photography under the guidance of professor Eduardo Arco. In 2017, he entered the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, where he specialized in directing.Poch VaqueroFICTION FEATURE FILMPequeño, a young bull roper, is forced to take on the role of head of the family after his father’s death. He finds out his father left behind a debt, and they’re about to lose their home. Working as a ranch hand, he slowly gets drawn into the cowboy world and eventually takes part in the roping tournaments known as Torneo de Lazo, hoping to win a prize that will help him reclaim his honor. Kpaima (Norma Delia Robles Carrillo) Wixárica, JaliscoShe is originally from the Wixárika community and holds a degree in Educational Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit (UAN). She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Creation at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ). Her commitment to preserving the language and culture of her people has led her to promote various initiatives for their strengthening and dissemination, including writing poetry in her native language and exploring filmmaking.Caminares que germinan en la jícara sagrada | Walks That Germinatein the Sacred GourdDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMThe paths of four Indigenous women from different corners of the country intertwine to form a beautiful story we wish to tell the girls of our communities. Sitlalli and her political leadership; Innocence and her music; Zenaida and her fight for human rights; Olivia and her poetry. Four women and friends whom I admire for raising their voices and building their own stories. Antonio Jesús Sánchez Felipe (Ish Tejk) Mixe, OaxacaAyuuk political scientist and co-founder of the film collective Ish Tejk, from where he has documented and accompanied processes in defense of the territory of indigenous peoples, free media and language revitalization. His works have been selected in Spain, Colombia, United States, Peru, Argentina and Mexico. Winner of the Oaxaca Youth Award and Audience Award at INDIFEST 2023.Kondoy: Los nuevos caminos de la nación Ayuuk | Kondoy: The New Paths of the Ayuuk NationDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMFer and Luis are reunited in the stewardship of their family 10 years after leaving their community, Fer joined the armed forces while Luis dedicated himself to activism for the dignity of the people and defense of the territory, they find a people of which little is said and that is far from the one they remember. A town where color and folklore serve as a gag in the face of violence, organized crime and governmental oblivion.
Yaremi Chan Maya, CampecheYaremi Chan is a filmmaker, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, theater director and actress. State Youth Award for Artistic and Popular Expressions. Scholarship for artistic excellence. She is the first Mayan woman from the Yucatán Peninsula to win the ECAMC-IMCINE call to produce the feature film Maaya Ko’olelo’ob: Muuk’. Founder of the first women’s theater group in Seybaplaya.K baakelo’on | Nuestros huesos | Our BonesDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMMaria (62 years old) is a woman from Pomuch, a Mayan village where the traditional bone cleaning is performed as part of the “Janal Pixan” (Day of the Dead) traditions. She holds in her memory the knowledge and customs of her people and at the same time reflects on her identity. Her “mulix” (curly) hair and her skin carry a Mayan identity but also that of Afro-descendant heritage.
Nisaguie Abril Afro-Zapotec, OaxacaAfro-Zapotec social anthropologist from Juchitán, Oaxaca. She holds a master’s degree and a specialization in Regional Rural Development. Passionate about art and audiovisual media, she teaches high school students to express themselves and reflect using creative and audiovisual tools.Benda YuuzeFICTION SHORT FILMBacanda, a Zapotec girl who lives with her grandparents Na Amelia and Ta José in a coastal village, grew up hearing stories about a mythical creature: the Benda Yuuze, a horned serpent that, when awakened, unleashes storms capable of wiping out entire villages. When the beast awakens and her village is in danger, Bacanda embarks on a journey guided by the stories of her grandparents.
Tatiana García Afro-descendant, Mexico CityCreative producer with 22 years of experience in film, TV, and digital content. Recognized for award winning documentaries, she is an expert in production, musicalization, writing, and project development. Her narrative approach stands out for its innovation, rigor, and cultural depth, with stories centered on Afro-Latinx identities, from concept to screen. She’s also a radio host.El país que éramos nosotras | The Country We WereDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMThe Country We Were is an intimate and political documentary that draws on the director’s family history to explore the legacy of racism, forced migration, and identity construction among Afro-descendant and biracial women in Latin America. Through the portrait of three generations of women, the film traces an emotional map of what it means to be born in an uncomfortable skin and to resist through tenderness, memory, and disobedience.
Mariana Yareth Hernández Cortés Nahuatl, ColimaFilmmaker and visual storyteller of Nahua heritage, born in Colima in 1996. Her work explores the intersections between memory, identity, and territory. She has developed a notable career in independent cinema, addressing narratives that challenge the boundaries of documentaryDel mar al volcán | From Sea to VolcanoDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMFrom the Pacific coast to the Fuego Volcano, there is a paradise that preserves the richness of its ecosystems and ancestral knowledge. Jungles, mangroves, beaches, and mountains coexist in a fragile balance that communities strive to protect. Through legends, memories, and practices inherited from the Nahuatl peoples, they invite us to explore their territory and hear their story: a daily struggle for livingwell.
Bernardino López Tsotsil, ChiapasIndependent filmmaker, editor, and screenwriter from the community of Bochojbo Alto, Zinacantán, Chiapas. He began filming in his hometown during his adolescence, combining this practice with his intercultural studies. For over ten years, he has specialized in cinema, developing a wide range of skills across the field.Sueños contradictorios | Dreams in ConflictFICTION FEATURE FILMJuan and Pablo have been Tsotsil friends since they were children in Chiapas. Pablo dreams of being what he sees on television: “being a drug trafficker”, while Juan dreams of being like his father: “a great musician.” They took different paths until one day they achieved what they wanted to be. However, Juan is still in a very poor financial situation. His mother had died, so he joined Pablo’s group without thinking about his final destination.
Celina Manuel P’urhépecha, MichoacánPurépecha filmmaker trained independently. Her short films La espera and Mintsita, Paisajes y respiraciones interferidos; have been presented at festivals such as VLAFF, Docs MX, Cinemaqueer MX, FIC Wallmapu, Ambulante, among others. She was part of Talents Guadalajara (FICG37), the COOFILM residency (2023), and the EFM at the Berlinale (2023). She currently collaborates and explores the processes of film training and production with various groups and organizations.Para curarnos el paisaje herido | To Heal Our Wounded LandscapeDOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMWhat do the living scriptures of a vegetal and mineral landscape tell us? How does this territory dialogue with the hands that guard the medicinal memory? The hands of Tsinajpiris, Purépecha women, who care and heal with herbs. This is an audiovisual incantation and herbal, with several voices, to continue trusting in the healing of our wounded landscape.
Cande Palma Afro-indígena, GuerreroDirector and producer. Graduate of EICTV in Cuba, with studies in communication and information systems. Interested in territorial defense, human rights, culture, and gender issues. Founder of Trashumantes, Cinegro, and the Itinerant Community Film Residency. Directed the documentaries Rojo and Flores de mi tierra. Recipient of the Jenkins-Del Toro Fellowship.El arreglo | The ArrangementDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMOn social media, many people are shocked to see images of two young people getting married at an early age. However, in the communal land communities of Cacahuatepec, in Acapulco, Guerrero, it is common for young people to get married or start living together as early as 14 or 15. At that age, some girls already begin having children and taking on adult responsibilities.
Luis Kies Maya, YucatánFilmmaker from Kanasín, Yucatán. He began his artistic training in 2010 at the State Center for Fine Arts, where he studied music initiation with a specialization in cello. Years later, in 2015, he turned to the world of images through analog photography under the guidance of professor Eduardo Arco. In 2017, he entered the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, where he specialized in directing.Poch VaqueroFICTION FEATURE FILMPequeño, a young bull roper, is forced to take on the role of head of the family after his father’s death. He finds out his father left behind a debt, and they’re about to lose their home. Working as a ranch hand, he slowly gets drawn into the cowboy world and eventually takes part in the roping tournaments known as Torneo de Lazo, hoping to win a prize that will help him reclaim his honor.
Kpaima (Norma Delia Robles Carrillo) Wixárica, JaliscoShe is originally from the Wixárika community and holds a degree in Educational Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit (UAN). She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Creation at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ). Her commitment to preserving the language and culture of her people has led her to promote various initiatives for their strengthening and dissemination, including writing poetry in her native language and exploring filmmaking.Caminares que germinan en la jícara sagrada | Walks That Germinatein the Sacred GourdDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMThe paths of four Indigenous women from different corners of the country intertwine to form a beautiful story we wish to tell the girls of our communities. Sitlalli and her political leadership; Innocence and her music; Zenaida and her fight for human rights; Olivia and her poetry. Four women and friends whom I admire for raising their voices and building their own stories.
Antonio Jesús Sánchez Felipe (Ish Tejk) Mixe, OaxacaAyuuk political scientist and co-founder of the film collective Ish Tejk, from where he has documented and accompanied processes in defense of the territory of indigenous peoples, free media and language revitalization. His works have been selected in Spain, Colombia, United States, Peru, Argentina and Mexico. Winner of the Oaxaca Youth Award and Audience Award at INDIFEST 2023.Kondoy: Los nuevos caminos de la nación Ayuuk | Kondoy: The New Paths of the Ayuuk NationDOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMFer and Luis are reunited in the stewardship of their family 10 years after leaving their community, Fer joined the armed forces while Luis dedicated himself to activism for the dignity of the people and defense of the territory, they find a people of which little is said and that is far from the one they remember. A town where color and folklore serve as a gag in the face of violence, organized crime and governmental oblivion.
MENTORS Sofía Arroyo Film promoter, activist, and social justice philanthropy professional dedicated to advancing systemic change, Indigenous rights, and new narratives. She earned a BA in Communications with a major in film from Universidad Iberoamericana and worked for many years in the film and advertising industry as an assistant director and director. She later served for over a decade in philanthropy and social justice, most recently as Executive Director of EDGE Funders Alliance. She now works as an independent consultant and sits on the boards of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, Kindle Project, and JASS (Just Associates). She promotes social change by raising awareness of values and perspectives rooted in ancestral traditions and advocating for a just, interconnected world. Myriam Bravo Actress and producer. She made her debut in 2007 with Espiral and has appeared in films such as La casa más grande del mundo, Huachicolero, Vergüenza, Mujeres del alba, Nudo mixteco, and Valentina o la serenidad, for which she won the “Colón de Plata” at Huelva 2023 and received a nomination for the Ariel Award in 2024. Her short film credits include Patrona, Un brillo de amor incomprensible, El tigre y la flor, La carta, and La tiricia o cómo curar la tristeza. Her performance in La tierra y la carne earned her the Best Performance Award at the Buenos Aires International Film Festival. Since 2011, she has collaborated as a casting director and acting coach, while also leading workshops that strengthen the training and creativity of emerging performers. Amalia Córdova Curator and researcher of Indigenous film. She is the Supervisory Museum Curator of World Cultures at the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and co-directs the Smithsonian Mother Tongue Film Festival. She was a Latin American specialist for the Film + Video Center of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and taught Indigenous media workshops at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She has a Ph.D. in Cinema Studies and an M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University and holds a BA in Aesthetics and a BFA from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile-Santiago. Her book Frames of Resistance: the Cinemas of Abya Yala has just been published with Oxford University Press. She is from Santiago, Chile/ Wallmapu. Martha Fritz With a degree in Communication Sciences from the Universidad Iberoamericana, she is a specialist in the administration of music catalogs and their royalties, as well as in the management of music licenses and materials for audiovisual works. Currently, she is an associate of All Entertainment Abogados, S.C., a firm that provides legal and administrative advice to creators and holders of copyrights and related rights. Fundamentally, she works hand in hand with directors and audiovisual producers to optimize their resources and obtain good music and content for their projects. She has participated in numerous seminars and has had the good fortune to be invited to workshops and conferences to share knowledge. Alejandra Ley Actress, singer, comedian, artivist, and mother of Fer, with a 33-year artistic career. She began in telenovelas such as Carrusel de las Américas and Marimar, and Eternamente amándonos. She has appeared in series like Blue Demon, Contra las cuerdas, and Todo va a estar bien; and in films including Cuatro lunas, Locas por el cambio, and La Usurpadora: The Musical. On stage, she has starred in Mother Courage and La tía Mariela. In 2025, she celebrated her career with Perfidia: Boleros en deconstrucción at the International Cabaret Festival in Mexico City. As a stand-up comedian, she was the first woman to record a Spanishlanguage special for Comedy Central and has performed in Mexico and Colombia. She is the lead vocalist of the all-women band Las Pinups and the creator of the feminist festival La Verbena Sorora. In 2023, she was recognized by the Mexican Senate for her work as an LGBT+ content creator. Martha Orozco She is the founder of MartFilms, a boutique production company focused on social issues that highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her productions have received international acclaim, including Allende, mi abuelo Allende (2015), which won at Cannes in 2015. Her latest films include La hija de todas las rabias (2022) and Cae al sol (2022). Since 2005, she has been a teacher, specializing in pitching and film project development. She directed the production department at EICTV (Cuba) and coordinated the documentary area at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC, Mexico). In Pornomelancolía (2022) and Puentes en el Mar, she explored film genres blending fiction and non-fiction. Her interest in fostering co production in emerging industries has led her to collaborate with Cuba, Uruguay, and Peru. She is also the co-author of the Basic Cinematography Handbook (2014). Laura Santullo Writer and screenwriter, she is the author or co-author of feature films such as La Zona, Desierto adentro, La demora, Un monstruo de mil cabezas, El otro Tom —which she also co-directed with Rodrigo Plá— and La caja. Her most recent film, Los nuevos, is currently in post-production. She has received three Ariel Awards, as well as the Best Screenplay Award at the Athens International Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Lima Film Festival, and Best Director at both the Warsaw International Film Festival and the Morelia International Film Festival. Alongside her film career, she has published five novels and a short story collection. Since 2012, she has taught screenwriting and film adaptation courses and workshops at institutions such as ECU, CCC, and EICTV, as well as in various cities across Mexico, where she has also conducted specialized seminars on screenwriting and adaptation. Xun Sero Cinematographer, editor, and film director of Maya Tsotsil origin. He trained through workshops and documentary filmmaking diploma programs such as Ambulante Más Allá, CCC con patas, and the Documentary Film School of San Cristóbal de Las Casas (where he currently teaches cinematography). He has worked as cinematographer on 15 documentaries and 2 documentary television series, including Un lugar más grande by Nicolas Défossé; Marino y los Auténticos by Cristóbal Jasso; Ch’ul be – Senda Sagrada by Humberto Gómez; Negra and Nyanga by director Medhin Tewolde Serrano; Agatha y el amor and Kuxlejal by director Elke Franke; and El Nail and Don de Ser by Néstor Jiménez. In 2022, he made his directorial debut with Mamá.
Sofía Arroyo Film promoter, activist, and social justice philanthropy professional dedicated to advancing systemic change, Indigenous rights, and new narratives. She earned a BA in Communications with a major in film from Universidad Iberoamericana and worked for many years in the film and advertising industry as an assistant director and director. She later served for over a decade in philanthropy and social justice, most recently as Executive Director of EDGE Funders Alliance. She now works as an independent consultant and sits on the boards of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, Kindle Project, and JASS (Just Associates). She promotes social change by raising awareness of values and perspectives rooted in ancestral traditions and advocating for a just, interconnected world.
Myriam Bravo Actress and producer. She made her debut in 2007 with Espiral and has appeared in films such as La casa más grande del mundo, Huachicolero, Vergüenza, Mujeres del alba, Nudo mixteco, and Valentina o la serenidad, for which she won the “Colón de Plata” at Huelva 2023 and received a nomination for the Ariel Award in 2024. Her short film credits include Patrona, Un brillo de amor incomprensible, El tigre y la flor, La carta, and La tiricia o cómo curar la tristeza. Her performance in La tierra y la carne earned her the Best Performance Award at the Buenos Aires International Film Festival. Since 2011, she has collaborated as a casting director and acting coach, while also leading workshops that strengthen the training and creativity of emerging performers.
Amalia Córdova Curator and researcher of Indigenous film. She is the Supervisory Museum Curator of World Cultures at the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and co-directs the Smithsonian Mother Tongue Film Festival. She was a Latin American specialist for the Film + Video Center of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and taught Indigenous media workshops at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She has a Ph.D. in Cinema Studies and an M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University and holds a BA in Aesthetics and a BFA from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile-Santiago. Her book Frames of Resistance: the Cinemas of Abya Yala has just been published with Oxford University Press. She is from Santiago, Chile/ Wallmapu.
Martha Fritz With a degree in Communication Sciences from the Universidad Iberoamericana, she is a specialist in the administration of music catalogs and their royalties, as well as in the management of music licenses and materials for audiovisual works. Currently, she is an associate of All Entertainment Abogados, S.C., a firm that provides legal and administrative advice to creators and holders of copyrights and related rights. Fundamentally, she works hand in hand with directors and audiovisual producers to optimize their resources and obtain good music and content for their projects. She has participated in numerous seminars and has had the good fortune to be invited to workshops and conferences to share knowledge.
Alejandra Ley Actress, singer, comedian, artivist, and mother of Fer, with a 33-year artistic career. She began in telenovelas such as Carrusel de las Américas and Marimar, and Eternamente amándonos. She has appeared in series like Blue Demon, Contra las cuerdas, and Todo va a estar bien; and in films including Cuatro lunas, Locas por el cambio, and La Usurpadora: The Musical. On stage, she has starred in Mother Courage and La tía Mariela. In 2025, she celebrated her career with Perfidia: Boleros en deconstrucción at the International Cabaret Festival in Mexico City. As a stand-up comedian, she was the first woman to record a Spanishlanguage special for Comedy Central and has performed in Mexico and Colombia. She is the lead vocalist of the all-women band Las Pinups and the creator of the feminist festival La Verbena Sorora. In 2023, she was recognized by the Mexican Senate for her work as an LGBT+ content creator.
Martha Orozco She is the founder of MartFilms, a boutique production company focused on social issues that highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her productions have received international acclaim, including Allende, mi abuelo Allende (2015), which won at Cannes in 2015. Her latest films include La hija de todas las rabias (2022) and Cae al sol (2022). Since 2005, she has been a teacher, specializing in pitching and film project development. She directed the production department at EICTV (Cuba) and coordinated the documentary area at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC, Mexico). In Pornomelancolía (2022) and Puentes en el Mar, she explored film genres blending fiction and non-fiction. Her interest in fostering co production in emerging industries has led her to collaborate with Cuba, Uruguay, and Peru. She is also the co-author of the Basic Cinematography Handbook (2014).
Laura Santullo Writer and screenwriter, she is the author or co-author of feature films such as La Zona, Desierto adentro, La demora, Un monstruo de mil cabezas, El otro Tom —which she also co-directed with Rodrigo Plá— and La caja. Her most recent film, Los nuevos, is currently in post-production. She has received three Ariel Awards, as well as the Best Screenplay Award at the Athens International Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Lima Film Festival, and Best Director at both the Warsaw International Film Festival and the Morelia International Film Festival. Alongside her film career, she has published five novels and a short story collection. Since 2012, she has taught screenwriting and film adaptation courses and workshops at institutions such as ECU, CCC, and EICTV, as well as in various cities across Mexico, where she has also conducted specialized seminars on screenwriting and adaptation.
Xun Sero Cinematographer, editor, and film director of Maya Tsotsil origin. He trained through workshops and documentary filmmaking diploma programs such as Ambulante Más Allá, CCC con patas, and the Documentary Film School of San Cristóbal de Las Casas (where he currently teaches cinematography). He has worked as cinematographer on 15 documentaries and 2 documentary television series, including Un lugar más grande by Nicolas Défossé; Marino y los Auténticos by Cristóbal Jasso; Ch’ul be – Senda Sagrada by Humberto Gómez; Negra and Nyanga by director Medhin Tewolde Serrano; Agatha y el amor and Kuxlejal by director Elke Franke; and El Nail and Don de Ser by Néstor Jiménez. In 2022, he made his directorial debut with Mamá.
