Chile’s documentary filmmakers are making a mark at the 75th #Berlinale and its European Film Market (EFM) from 13 to 19 February, showcasing a diverse slate of projects and industry participation. The delegation is supported by Chiledoc and includes world premieres, industry selections, and pioneering projects.

Director Matías Rojas Valencia and producer Tomás Gerlach Mora will present the world premiere of Sunset Over America in the Generation 14+ section. Co-produced by Françoise Nieto-Fong, the short film follows a teenage girl crossing the Andean Highlands, reflecting on migration, memory, and spiritual presence.

Doc Toolbox & Berlinale Talents

Chilean filmmakers have secured spots in Berlinale’s industry programmes:

• Daniel Díaz Oyarzún, producer at Pikun Films, was selected for the Doc Toolbox Programme with Mapurbekistán, directed by Claudio Alvarado Lincopi. The film follows a Mapuche historian exploring indigenous identity in Santiago from its founding to the 2022 failed plurinational constitution proposal.
• Carolina Moscoso Briceño (Night Vision, Grand Prize, FIDMarseille 2020) is working on I Will Never Be a Cop, a film essay built from her uncle’s home video archive, documenting their family’s history in the police force.
• Celeste Rojas Mugica presents Exterra at Berlinale Doc Station, exploring Pinochet-era state violence through the archaeological excavation of Ingrid Olderock’s house, once occupied by one of Chile’s most notorious torturers.

Chilean Projects at EFM

Beyond these selections, Chilean production companies are bringing innovative projects to EFM:

• Cábala Films presents Unveiling the Cosmos: The Rubin Observatory, exploring the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, set to revolutionise astronomical research in 2025.
• Faro Cine showcases I Shall Die Singing, a documentary on elderly Chilean poets preserving oral traditions and religious rituals.
• Galgo Storytelling introduces Ancestral Secret VR, a virtual reality experience that delves into the Q’ero Indigenous worldview, exploring ancestral prophecy and environmental wisdom.

Chile’s Expanding Documentary Reach

The Chilean presence at Berlinale is supported by Chiledoc, CinemaChile, and ProChile, aiming to strengthen international co-productions, particularly with Germany, Chile’s third-largest documentary partner.