Netflix, after launching new offices in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina this year, is now focusing on Colombia.
Francisco Ramos, who is the VP of original content for Latin America at Netflix, attended the 65th Cartagena Film Festival (FICCI). He introduced four major initiatives intended to strengthen Colombia’s audiovisual sector and offered a preview of the second season of “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” Netflix’s most ambitious series in the area.
“Creating stories in Colombia is merely the start for us. We want large-scale productions, like ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude,’ to positively influence the creative industry. Our current aim is to foster growth, making the local ecosystem more robust, competitive, and sustainable,” Ramos explained. He also highlighted Netflix’s 15-year presence in Latin America, during which it produced three of its initial five original local language shows.
In a discussion with Variety, Ramos emphasized the importance of Netflix providing not only financial backing but also resources for artistic and technical skill development in Colombia, which has shown significant potential.
“Without these resources, there is a risk of numerous productions lacking quality, ambition, or proper execution. The talent is there, and through our existing and new initiatives, we stress the importance of skill development. This not only diversifies stories but also deepens the understanding of Colombia’s complexity, which includes many large cities, diverse cultures, and regions like the Caribbean and Pacific,” he added. Ramos pointed out that while the technical knowledge exists, resources have been lacking. Now, Netflix provides tools and opportunities to enhance expertise.
“I believe it is essential for talented individuals to feel they can succeed in Colombia. It would be worrying if they thought they needed to leave the country to succeed in any craft, such as production design, costume, makeup, VFX, cinematography, or production. They should have the option to build their careers in a culturally rich country like Colombia.”
The four new training initiatives are:
Opera Prima Lab Film & Series:
Developed with FICCI, this initiative aims to guide emerging filmmakers in their first feature film or series. In collaboration with Netflix, it provides specialized mentorship in storytelling, essential production tools, and access to FICCI programming to enhance storytelling capacity, according to Mónica Moya, FICCI’s industry director.
“There are many new filmmakers emerging. By ‘small,’ I refer to the scale of their films, not their vision. Many of these projects wouldn’t happen without incentives, so we are creating infrastructure to give filmmakers access to people who can elevate their projects,” Ramos asserted.
“While some might see our efforts as self-serving, many such films may never appear on Netflix, and that is fine. These filmmakers or writers might eventually collaborate with us on a show or bring a project to us. I believe that when a film is produced due to our support, it validates the ecosystem we are building,” Ramos added.
Lab Macondo 3:
Collaborating with the Colombian Film Academy, led by actress and academy president Cristina Umaña, this lab builds on previous editions focused on literary adaptation and production design. Its third iteration centers on executive production, bridging creative vision and project sustainability, with most of its 24 participants from various Colombian regions.
“Developing the craft of production designers, akin to how Mexican designers are globally recognized, will greatly benefit Colombia. Many art directors who worked on ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ with Bárbara Enríquez are now joining us and even competitors as production designers because they have understood and can bring this vision to projects,” Ramos noted.
Audiovisual Industry Provider Training Program: In partnership with the local producers association ASOCINDE, 80 companies will participate in this initiative to strengthen the capabilities of companies in content development and production, said its president Diego F. Ramírez. “Every link in the chain is crucial for content to reach audiences across borders, which is why the program promotes skills, services, and logistical capabilities development to expand our productions,” he explained.
BAMMERS: In association with Proimágenes Colombia as part of the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM), this initiative supports a new generation of Latin American producers by providing tools and connections for developing internationally appealing projects.
“Opportunities make a difference, and these training programs pave the way. Initiatives like BAMMERS provide access to international experts, allow experience sharing, and connect participants with active industry producers. It’s a unique opportunity, often found in real life rather than universities,” said Claudia Triana, executive director of Proimágenes.
This initiative builds on the success of “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” which was a milestone for Colombia’s industry, culturally and economically. It injected almost $60 million into the national economy and involved constructing the fictional village of Macondo, covering over 5,812,506 square feet, utilizing thousands of local talents and resources.
The 65th Cartagena Film Festival takes place from April 14 to 19.
