From Copenhagen to Cannes: Chilean Documentaries Expand Their International Presence

Between January and May, Chilean films and projects participated in festivals, markets and industry events across Europe and the Americas. Several titles continued their journey through more than one international platform during this period.

During the first five months of 2026, Chilean films, projects and professionals recorded more than 30 participations in festivals, markets and industry programmes across different territories. Among them, several titles developed trajectories that led them through multiple spaces within the international documentary circuit.

One of them was Artifacts of War, directed by Jorge Caballero and produced by Anna Giralt and Diego Pino Anguita, which participated in the CPH:DOX Forum in Denmark and later became part of the Spain Showcase at Cannes Docs during the Marché du Film in France.

Where the Silence is Heard, directed by Gabriela Pena and Picho García, was also present at two major festivals during the period. The film was selected for the NEXT:WAVE Competition at CPH:DOX in Denmark and later competed in the Ibero-American Documentary Feature Competition at the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Mexico.

Meanwhile, La Linda, directed by Francina Carbonell, participated in the VdR-Pitching section of Visions du Réel in Switzerland, where it received the Raggioverde Subtitling Award, which covers the creation of subtitles for the film, including translation into one language.

The journey of The Boy Girl and the Gothik Whale, directed by Sidka Saavedra Vera, also connected different industry platforms. The project took part in DocuLab at the Guadalajara International Film Festival and later participated in the Chile-Colombia Showcase at Cannes Docs, held within the Marché du Film.

Likewise, Burning Daddy, directed by Tana Gilbert, participated in the Chile-Colombia Showcase at Cannes Docs, where it received the TransPerfect Media Post-Production Award, a prize that provides specialised support for the film’s post-production stage and recognises documentary projects with strong international potential.

In the United States, A Place of Absence, directed by Marialuisa Ernst, screened at the San Diego Latino Film Festival, where it won the Best Documentary Award; at Aquí y Allá Film Festival, where it received the Jury Award; and at the Salem Film Fest, where it was nominated for the American Cinematographer Magazine Award.

Meanwhile, South of Winter, Lies the Snow, directed by Sebastián Vidal, participated in CineLatino Tübingen in Germany and later joined the Contemporary Cinema Showcase presented at the Guadalajara International Film Festival as part of the Chile Country of Honour programme.

In France, Az Zeed participated in FIDMarseille, where it was selected for the First Film Competition and received the Special Mention of the Jury of the 2nd Chance School, an award granted by the jury of the École de la 2e Chance.

These trajectories reflect the presence of Chilean documentaries, projects and professionals across different spaces of the international circuit, from CPH:DOX and Visions du Réel to the Guadalajara International Film Festival, FIDMarseille and Cannes Docs, expanding the circulation of Chilean documentary during the first months of 2026.