Chile continues to make a mark on the international stage, standing tall alongside bigger players like Mexico and Brazil at the Berlin Film Festival. With a population of just 19.7 million, Chile’s presence is significant this year, with three films and three series showcased. One of the highlights is Prime Video’s ambitious family saga “The House of the Spirits.”
Diego Rougier, the new president of the Chilean Film & TV Producers Association, APCT, believes this is the largest Chilean presence at the festival to date. He mentions past successes like “Gloria” winning major awards, but this year seems particularly strong.
Netflix’s “A Child of My Own” by Maite Alberdi, a two-time Oscar nominee, is a standout film at the festival. Alberdi shot this docu-fiction hybrid in Mexico and found similarities in the industry there with Chile. Another film, “Red Hangar” (“Hangar Rojo”) by Juan Pablo Sallato, showcases Chile’s co-production capabilities with partners from Argentina and Italy.
Chile has been actively co-producing for years, showcasing maturity, talent, and reliability in its projects. The country’s market size may be small, but its creative ingenuity keeps the industry thriving. Projects like recent college graduate Diego Fuentes’ “Matapanki” exemplify this spirit, funded through university funds and crowdfunding platforms.
Chile’s IFI Audiovisual program is a valuable tool for co-productions, providing incentives for foreign investments in the country. The recent launch of a film commission in December aims to attract more international productions with Chile’s diverse locations and skilled technical crews.
Rougier emphasizes the need for continual growth and recognition of Chilean audiovisual work. The industry is strong, but there is always room for improvement and expansion. With each production, Chile paves the way for a brighter future in the global film market.
