Chile Organizes Highest Number of Screenings in IOM’s Global Migration Film Festival 

Santiago – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Chile’s Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage joined efforts to host the Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) in different venues across the country.  

Out of over 100 participating countries, Chile has taken the top spot in terms of both the number of screenings and the number of cities where screenings will take place, reaching 43 and 10 respectively. These cinematic experiences have taken place across country in Valparaíso, Quillota, Santiago, Lo Barnechea, Paine, Rancagua, Curicó, Tomé, Hualpén y Talca. 

“The Ministry of Culture’s support, including 12 locations of its Network of Cultural Centres across the country, has been key in reaching the success of the GMFF in Chile,” said IOM Chile Chief of Mission Norberto Girón.  

Of the films to be shown in Chile, a selection of those available in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles was made; the shortlist includes Gurs, History and Memory, Sidney & Friends, Deal, Día de la Virgen, The Migrating Image, The Kitchen of Las Patronas and Together Apart.  

“Migrants make a cultural contribution to the community that receives them and for this reason we have joined the organization of the IOM GMFF in Chile,” said the Coordinator of the Ministry of Culture’s Interculturalism and Inclusion of Migrants Programme, Manuel Guerra. “This Festival also contributes to and enriches the migration experience through the artistic point of view of both producers and filmmakers globally,” he added.  

Many people are interested in attending the GMFF and it is considered a success at the national level, according to information provided by the Ministry of Culture. 

“I invited my exchange student friends and we saw the migrant representation, so I very much appreciate this free cultural opportunity that opened my eyes to see that the migration issues that I know from my country are also happening in other contexts,” said Nikita Kent, a student from New Zealand living in Santiago, who attended one of the GMFF events. 

Screenings of various productions will continue over the next few days in Chile. The Festival agenda is available at http://globalmigrationfilmfestivalagenda.com/chile/ 

For more information please contact Carolina Fuentes at IOM Chile, Tel. + (56) 2 2963 3710, Email: cfuentes@iom.int