Audiovisual Fund for Nature Filmmakers in Latin America
In 2024, the first call for applications opened for the Andean Audiovisual Fund (AAF), created by Ladera Sur, Explora, and the Santiago Wild Film Festival, in collaboration with the brand Fjällräven, with the goal of supporting and empowering nature filmmakers from Latin America.
In its first edition, the Fund selected eight scholarship recipients who will produce a short film set in eight unique destinations across South America. These scholarships aim to professionalize and strengthen audiovisual creators who already have experience in the industry, providing them with mentorship from leading international filmmakers.
The eight selected filmmakers will be required to produce a 10–15 minute short film at Explora destinations in South America. The objective of these films is to capture the majesty of the natural and cultural diversity of each location, all of which are situated in remote areas.
Each selected participant will receive guidance from an assigned mentor, who will support them throughout the development of their short film’s story. Mentorship will be provided by René Araneda, Chilean nature documentary director and producer; Pippa Ehrlich, South African director and Academy Award winner for Best Documentary My Octopus Teacher; Gael Almeida, Regional Director for Latin America at the National Geographic Society; and Martín del Río, founder and director of Ladera Sur and the Santiago Wild Film Festival.
The documentaries will premiere at the Santiago Wild Film Festival, where audiences will be able to watch them for free in May 2025, both in person at Centro Cultural La Moneda and online on the platform santiagowild.com.
