Women filmmakers outstanding at Fondo Cine contest

Panamanian cinema continues to grow and to show that it is an important asset in the economic recovery of the country, where year after year the National Government through the National Cinema Office of the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura), more than $2 million are dedicated under the National Cinema Competition 2021.

A total of 2,145.00 million will be distributed in prizes, among those eligible by an international jury that have been awarded the production categories of fiction feature films, animation and documentaries, development of projects and support to after production of feature and documentaries.

For this year, the version of this contest stands out by the presence of women, as most of the new projects elected from 81 applicants for these 2021 funds are proposals that belong to women who are doing a visible work in audiovisual production, and have been elected by an international jury with seven women.

During the announcement of winners, Carlos Aguilar Navarro, Minister of Culture, stated that "the country needs an economic revival, we have a commitment to the country. Cinema has a responsibility and an opportunity to prove to this country that culture and art weigh. Cinema is the sum of all arts and once we give a fund we have an impact on all artistic expressions."

"It's important for us that new filmmakers can participate in this industry that all those on this path have an opportunity to express and highlight them.

We have a capital for 2022 to be the year of Panamanian cinema, as it will impact and generate jobs and that gain prizes and reflect Panamanian expressions at an international level, "added Aguilar Navarro.

With respect to the production of Ficción and Animation Longetries category, the Jury composed of Mariana Rondon (Venezuela), Ernesto Daranas Serrano (Cuba) and Paula Zupnik (Argentina) awarded his awards to Isabela Galvez's "Dear Tropic," "Espina" by Daniel Poler and "Reparations" by Katherine Caballero where each takes 600 thousand dollars.

To support the production of Documentaries, Justices Rubén Mendoza and Marta ORozco of Colombia and Mexico respectively select the projects entitled "Cuscú" by Risset Yanguez, "Rufina" by Luz Boyd and "We the Girls" by Edgar Soberón Torchia, who have been awarded 100,000 dollars each.

For his part, Ivan Jaripio with his project "DJAJIRA (Nuestra Casa)," Marta Noemí with "Mandi" and Omar Calvo with "La Cordillera," were considered by Jury Diana Bustamante (Colombia) and Sabrina Faji (Argentina) so that his proposals in the project development Section became credible for a contribution of $15,000.

While the category of support for Postproduction of Fiction and Animation and Documentary Long Meters at Postproduction stage, the Jury determined that the two projects they have put into place do not have the necessary merits to be awarded them the prize, and so they are declared desert, leading to a dedicated fund for this Section to be dedicated to the development of initiatives that will boost the local film sector.

Ivan Jaripio, winner of the Project Development Section, explained that his project "DJAJIRA" in Spanish became "our house," dedicated to the reconstruction of the traditional houses Emberá, because in his community it ceased to exist, because in 1975 the government moved the indigenous community to other territories, leading to a fragmentation in the community that was gradually destroying indigenous culture. In this film we will show how the indigenous world's universe in Emberá is through the traditional house that's main place of our whole culture. "

While Risset Yanguez, from the Cuscú project, indicates that his proposal refers to Afro-Spanish history, a personal story of her and her grandmother, is a recovery to historic memory, a work of years, the truth I feel excited, this recognition has changed my life, because it comes at an appropriate time where after trying for second time at last I could improve and qualify first with my work.

Sheila González, National Director of Cinema stated that "this contest is an opportunity to create new films and that new talents can be developed." Fondo Cine are state-dedicated resources to promote and stimulate production of Panamanian film works.

That fund provides financial support so that the winning projects have an initial capital for the creation of their works and serves as a guarantee for them to apply to other international funds and to develop their production. "

The new projects of 2021 add to the 14 feature films, 13 documentaries and 2 projects of development of earlier competitions that are at different stages of production. Thus, 2022 and 2023 will be very promising for Panamanian cinema, emphasized González.