Seven production companies, supported by the Ministry of Cultures and ProChile, are leading Chile’s participation at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival and the European Film Market (EFM), one of the world’s largest audiovisual fairs.

As the first showcase of the global film industry each year, Berlinale is a key platform for premieres aiming to conquer Europe and the international market. The 75th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival and its European Film Market will take place from February 13 to 19, with a significant Chilean delegation poised to compete in several categories.

O último azul / Blue Trail , directed by Gabriela Mascaro and co-produced by Chile’s Quijote Films, will compete for the Golden Bear. The film follows the emotional journey of Tereza, a 77-year-old woman living in an industrial city in the Amazon, who is forced to move to an isolated retirement colony. Rejecting her new fate, she embarks on a bold journey through the jungle to fulfill one last wish, an adventure that will change her life forever.

Chile’s biggest challenge will be in the Generation KPlus and Generation 14Plus sections, aimed at children but also resonating with adult audiences. Atardecer en América / Sunset over America, directed by Matías Rojas and produced by Tomás Gerlach, will have its world premiere in this category. The short film delves into the complex issue of migration in the Andean Highlands, one of the most perilous migration routes in South America. Through the eyes of a teenage girl, the story weaves danger and mysticism, marked by a mysterious spiritual presence accompanying her like the wind.

A natureza das coisas invisíveis /  The nature of invisible things, directed by Rafaela Camelo and co-produced by Pinda Producciones, also competes in this category. It portrays a touching friendship between two girls who meet in a hospital during the holidays. Bonded by shared dreams and bittersweet experiences, they seek to escape together into a world full of hope.

According to CinemaChile, Berlinale and EFM are valuable platforms for Chilean productions. Alexandra Galvis, co-director of the brand, highlights that “the Berlinale highlights the significance of Chilean cinema’s internationalization strategy and the central role of co-production within it. Our film industry thrives on international collaboration and the ability of Chilean professionals to establish commercial and creative connections worldwide. For a Chilean company to bring an international co-production to the Official Competition and another to a prominent section like Generation is a testament to their ability to forge high-quality creative partnerships and demonstrates their remarkable expertise in achieving top-level co-productions.

Moreover, it is noteworthy that Chile has secured the selection of a short film by an established director like Matías Rojas. This also showcases the capacity of Chilean filmmakers to address globally relevant topics through a uniquely distinctive narrative style“.

Meanwhile, Paula Ossandón, Chiledoc Director, adds, “Our narratives have become increasingly interesting and appealing to the industry and new audiences abroad. EFM is a great space to promote production and explore commercialization opportunities. Germany is the third most significant co-production partner for Chilean documentaries, and we aim to strengthen these alliances”.

CAIA Delegation

The Chilean delegation includes over a dozen professionals, seven of whom are funded by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage through its Support Program for Participation in International Markets, under the Council of Audiovisual Art and Industry (CAIA), with strategic support from ProChile. These representatives are Giancarlo Nasi from Quijote Films, Tomás Gerlach from A Simple Vista, María Karla Falcón from Juntos Films, Fernando Fuentes from El Espino Films, Carola Fuentes from La Ventana Cine, Isabel Orellana from Araucaria Cine, and José Ignacio Sabatini from Villano.

For the Minister of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage, Carolina Arredondo, “Chile has a powerful and creative voice that deserves to be seen in cinemas around the world. The Berlin International Film Festival and its market are strategic platforms that allow Chilean audiovisual work to gain visibility beyond our borders, especially as it is the first major industry event of the year. Participating in a festival as significant as the Berlinale gives us the opportunity to continue showcasing the immense talent in Chile and the unique stories that can be told from here”.

Chilean Stories Conquering the European Film Market
The Chilean delegation arrives at EFM with diverse projects ranging from social thrillers to horror comedies, exploring political issues, identity, social struggles, and moral dilemmas, all reflecting the richness of Chilean cinema. These projects are at various stages and seek funding, distribution, co-production, or exhibition platforms.

The National Director of ProChile, Lorena Sepúlveda, emphasized that “Chile has maintained a strong presence at the European Film Market (EFM) for several years, reflecting the public-private effort to internationalize the Chilean audiovisual sector. In 2024, our country’s creative industries achieved a record in exports, reaching nearly US$98 million across 45 markets, including key partners such as Germany. This accomplishment reinforces our commitment to the internationalization of creative industries, which not only diversify our export portfolio but also position Chile as a creative, diverse, and innovative country on the global stage”.

Quijote Films arrives at EFM with Tres noches negras / Three Black Nights, a gripping story that explores a crime in a rural village, revealing the social and human tensions surrounding the death of a young Haitian man after a farmer makes a pact with the devil. The film dives deep into themes of morality, superstition, and the darker side of human nature.

A Simple Vista, another leading Chilean production company, will bring Patas de perro / Dog Legs to Berlin. This heartfelt drama tells the story of a taxi driver who adopts a boy born with dog’s legs. As he struggles to integrate the boy into society, they face rejection and prejudice, leading to a profound reflection on acceptance and humanity.

Juntos Films presents Viajero inmóvil / The Stationary Traveler, a horror-comedy in which a cult director grapples with the possibility of bringing his former characters back to life as zombies. The film delves into the struggles of artistic pursuit and creative obsession, trapping the protagonist in the very film he has created.

Araucaria Cine will feature Desierto Verde / Green Desert, an experimental documentary exploring the resistance of a traditional group of female healers fighting against the threat of pine monocultures. The project highlights the connection between indigenous peoples and environmental conservation, offering a powerful meditation on preservation and cultural identity.

Another standout is Expediente Letelier /Letelier File, a documentary-fiction series by La Ventana Cine, which uncovers the complex web of espionage and covert operations behind the assassination of Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier. The series invites viewers to dive into the intricate political relationships of the time, shedding light on one of Chile’s most significant historical events.

Lastly, Villano will present Hangar rojo / Red Hangar, a historical drama set in Chile during the 1973 Military Coup. The film focuses on the moral dilemma faced by an Air Force captain who must choose between following orders or listening to his conscience as violence and chaos unfold around him.

Other Chilean production companies joining the delegation at the European Film Market include Cine UDD with Tierra de niñas / Girls ground, a film about Luz, a 12-year-old girl, and her half-sister Mila, who navigate the challenges of life in an industrial city while transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Agualoca Films presents Aguas muertas / Dead Waters, a production about Nayül, a young girl who, after losing her family, must free trapped spirits in a flooded cemetery as part of her ancestral destiny. Latente Films brings Mil pedazos / A Thousand Pieces, a real-life drama about a family on a journey interrupted by a tragic accident.

These films represent the strength and diversity of Chile’s film industry, showcasing a wide range of stories that captivate global audiences and further establish Chile’s growing influence in the international film scene.

Spotlight on Chilean Talents
Renowned Chilean directors Celeste Rojas and Carolina Moscoso have been selected for Berlinale Talents, a talent development program offering exclusive access to project labs, workshops, public panels, and various international career opportunities.

Additionally, Daniel Díaz Oyarzún, producer at Pikun Films, was chosen for the Doc Toolbox Programme, an elite initiative providing innovative tools to promote and distribute projects globally. His documentary “Mapurbekistán” will shine in this prestigious space, opening doors to new partnerships and perspectives in the international film world.

For more details about the projects, please consult the PRESSKIT of the Chilean delegation.