Chile has earned the prestigious title of Guest Country of Honor for the 41st Guadalajara Film Festival (FICG), scheduled from April 17 to 25 this year. This recognition highlights the remarkable expansion of Chile's film industry since its last tribute at FICG in 2019, showcasing its rising prominence on the global stage. Producer Gabriela Sandoval, an advisory board member for CinemaChile and director at the Chilean producers' association APCT, emphasized the industry's significant growth.
Evidence of this burgeoning success is Chile's substantial participation in major international events, including the Berlinale, where it presented three films and three series, along with various film and TV projects at the European Film Market (EFM). The country also recently launched its new film commission at Ventana Sur in December. Furthermore, the upcoming Goya Awards on February 28, often considered Spain's equivalent of the Oscars, feature a record number of Chilean nominees. Notable contenders include Diego Cespedes' debut feature, “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” and Antonia Zegers, who is nominated for a best actress award for her role in “Los Tortuga.” Sandoval noted that Chile's role as Guest of Honor at FICG underscores the robustness of its national audiovisual production and content, establishing the country as a vital creative partner in the region and enhancing its international standing.
Chile's engagement with FICG dates back to 2003, when it presented a showcase of classic and contemporary films featuring celebrated directors such as Raúl Ruiz, Miguel Littín, and Patricio Guzmán. Since then, Chilean cinema has maintained a consistent and impactful presence at Mexico's largest film festival, hosted by the University of Guadalajara. This ongoing involvement includes participation in main competitions, special screenings, and industry programs like the Co-Production Meetings, Episodio Cero for TV, DocuLab, Pitch Guadalajara for local talent, Talents Guadalajara, a Works in Progress program, and the video game-focused FICGames. This deep engagement has significantly promoted international collaboration and co-production, leading to successful projects with countries including Mexico, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, and Germany. Festival director Estrella Araiza praised Chile for its ability to foster a democratic, inclusive, and diverse film industry. According to ProChile, an entity within Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this participation reaffirms strong cultural and creative ties, contributing to Chile's historic export figures of over $106 million in 2025, with $82 million attributed to the audiovisual sector. The festival, originally founded by Guillermo del Toro, has grown into one of Latin America's largest, drawing nearly 290,000 attendees last year. Carolina Arredondo Marzán, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, stated that Chile’s honor at FICG 2026 is beneficial for both the sector and the nation, recognizing culture and creative industries as crucial for comprehensive and sustainable economic, social, and cultural advancement.
This accolade for Chile not only celebrates its vibrant cinematic achievements but also underscores the power of cultural exchange in fostering global understanding and collaboration. By showcasing its diverse storytelling and innovative talent, Chile inspires other nations to invest in their creative sectors, promoting artistic expression and economic growth worldwide.