A new study by #Chiledoc has highlighted the growing global impact of Chilean non-fiction cinema. Conducted between October and November 2023, the study surveyed Chilean audiovisual companies about the internationalisation and commercialisation of their documentaries during 2022-2023. The results reflect notable increases in sales, festival selections, and co-productions.
The study found an 8.8% growth in sales agents acquiring Chilean documentaries compared to the previous period. Notably, 30% of surveyed companies reported revenue from sales to TV channels and streaming platforms, with prominent platforms like #MUBI, #Guayaba, and #Filmin leading acquisitions. #France, #Argentina, and #Mexico emerged as the top buyers, demonstrating the widespread appeal of Chilean non-fiction films.
Chile’s documentaries have also garnered increased recognition at film festivals, with an 8.1% rise in festival fees and 30% of companies earning monetary awards. The critical and commercial success of The Eternal Memory (dir. Maite Alberdi), which received international acclaim and won a Goya Award, underscores this trend.
Furthermore, Chilean production companies engaged in 48 co-productions with 17 countries. France, Germany, Argentina, and Colombia were the most frequent collaborators.
Despite these successes, their remains a need for greater investment in culture by the Chilean state. While public sector support has been pivotal, stagnant funding levels and high co-financing requirements pose challenges. Additionally, Chiledoc called for more robust involvement from Chilean television and private enterprises in producing and distributing documentaries.
Another area for improvement is decentralisation. Resources and training are heavily concentrated in its capital, Santiago, leaving regional producers at a disadvantage. Strengthening production and distribution networks in other cities could further enhance Chile’s global reach.
With its rich storytelling and innovative cinematic approaches, Chilean non-fiction film is poised to solidify its place on the world stage, offering audiences a fresh perspective on universal themes through distinctly Chilean lenses.
