culture and entertainment - The Santiago International Film Festival (Sanfic) has emerged as a powerhouse in Latin American cinema development, with its 2025 edition marking unprecedented growth in its prestigious project market...
program. The festival reported a staggering 98.39% increase in submissions, receiving 240 applications from 32 countries - a clear indication of Latin America's rising prominence in global cinema.
From these submissions, 16 fiction projects and 15 documentaries were carefully selected, representing diverse storytelling approaches and cultural perspectives. Festival director Gabriela Sandoval noted a significant shift in the program's international reach, with particularly strong representation from Central America and an increase in co-productions between Chile and countries including the United States, Estonia, France, India, Lebanon, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
The selected projects showcase a remarkable range of themes and genres, from political dramas to LGBTQ+ narratives and indigenous storytelling. Standout projects include Colombia's 'Goodbye Father' from the acclaimed Antorcha Films, featuring established actors Marlon Moreno and Loren Sofia Paz, and Chile's 'Dysphoria,' which explores social class divisions in contemporary Chilean society.
The lab's growth reflects broader trends in Latin American cinema, which has gained increasing recognition at major international festivals and streaming platforms. The program has become a crucial stepping stone for emerging filmmakers, with many past participants going on to achieve success at prestigious festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.
Particularly notable is the strong presence of female directors and producers among the selected projects, indicating positive movement toward greater gender equality in Latin American cinema. The projects also demonstrate a commitment to addressing pressing social issues, from environmental concerns to political upheaval and identity politics.
From these submissions, 16 fiction projects and 15 documentaries were carefully selected, representing diverse storytelling approaches and cultural perspectives. Festival director Gabriela Sandoval noted a significant shift in the program's international reach, with particularly strong representation from Central America and an increase in co-productions between Chile and countries including the United States, Estonia, France, India, Lebanon, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
The selected projects showcase a remarkable range of themes and genres, from political dramas to LGBTQ+ narratives and indigenous storytelling. Standout projects include Colombia's 'Goodbye Father' from the acclaimed Antorcha Films, featuring established actors Marlon Moreno and Loren Sofia Paz, and Chile's 'Dysphoria,' which explores social class divisions in contemporary Chilean society.
The lab's growth reflects broader trends in Latin American cinema, which has gained increasing recognition at major international festivals and streaming platforms. The program has become a crucial stepping stone for emerging filmmakers, with many past participants going on to achieve success at prestigious festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.
Particularly notable is the strong presence of female directors and producers among the selected projects, indicating positive movement toward greater gender equality in Latin American cinema. The projects also demonstrate a commitment to addressing pressing social issues, from environmental concerns to political upheaval and identity politics.