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Costa Rica Fest: Cinema Unites, Women Lead
16 Jul
Summary
- Festival theme is "Cinema That Unites Us," focusing on community.
- New Afro-Caribbean section promotes visibility and inclusion.
- Costa Rican female filmmakers gaining international prominence.
The 14th edition of the Costa Rica Film Festival begins on July 23 in San Jose, running until August 1. Under the theme "Cinema That Unites Us," the festival emphasizes community engagement and regional collaboration. A new Afro-Caribbean section has been introduced to provide a vital space for visibility, inclusion, and dialogue with Afro-descendant communities.
The festival is actively championing female filmmakers, a focus that aligns with the rise of a strong generation of Costa Rican women in cinema. A dedicated Meeting of Female Filmmakers is scheduled for July 26 to strategize against sexism and foster collaboration.
Festival director Patricia Velásquez Guzmán aims to regionalize the event, strengthening networks for Central American and Caribbean filmmakers facing political challenges to cultural funding. The festival also features a Generation Alpha strand for films about young people and a Year 13 section for daring genre films.
The Borders section will showcase films on social and geographical margins, including international festival hits. A retrospective section, "Parallel Universes," will screen classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Blade Runner."
