The International Film Festival of Panama (IFF Panama) is currently showcasing its “Su Mirada – Her Gaze” program, an initiative dedicated to emerging and established female directors from Central America and the Caribbean. This year's selection notably delves into the intricate theme of motherhood, offering a range of unconventional perspectives on this universal experience. Curated with an eye for innovation and emotional depth, the program highlights narratives that explore diverse maternal journeys, from the bond between a child and their mother to the complexities faced by women who choose not to have children or those grappling with the realities of motherhood. These thought-provoking films are often brought to life through the support of dynamic regional producers, reflecting a vibrant and evolving cinematic landscape.
Coordinator Cat Caballero observed that the theme of motherhood emerged organically across submissions, even among projects not ultimately selected. She emphasized the refreshing departure from traditional portrayals, noting, "You see varying perspectives that range from a child’s relationship with his mother, as well as on the woman who decides not to become a mother, and the one who chose to be a mother but is struggling through that whole process." This focus allows for a deeper, more nuanced exploration of what it means to be a woman and a mother in contemporary society, challenging preconceived notions and broadening the artistic dialogue.
The "Su Mirada" program is structured into two primary categories: Films in Development and Works in Progress (WIP). The Development section features 15 promising projects, with one poised to receive a $5,000 cash award. The WIP category, which narrowed down to three finalists from ten submissions, offers a more substantial prize of $10,000. Judging for both categories was conducted virtually ahead of the festival, and the winners are set to be unveiled at the closing ceremony on April 12th. An exciting collaboration between IFF Panama and Colombia's Cartagena Film Festival (FICCI) will see the WIP prizewinner traveling to Cartagena, gaining an invaluable opportunity to further refine their project and forge crucial partnerships within the industry during FICCI, scheduled from April 14th to 19th.
Among the highlighted Works in Progress, Sofía Quirós Úbeda's Costa Rican-Argentinian co-production, “Silent Birds” (“Madre Pájaro”), explores childhood grief and shifting family dynamics through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy confronting his mother's illness. This multi-country collaboration, produced by Sputnik Films and Murillo Cine, showcases a strong regional co-production model and emphasizes an auteur-driven approach. Quirós Úbeda describes the film as “a reflection on other ways of accompanying childhood through grief, without replacing those who are gone,” offering a sensitive portrayal of loss and remembrance.
Paz Fábrega's "To the Future" ("Al futuro"), a collaboration between Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Spain, presents a deeply personal and hybrid exploration of motherhood. Fábrega turns the lens on her own life, blending fiction and documentary to depict the challenges of balancing maternal responsibilities, financial pressures, and artistic ambition. Co-producer Carla Sospedra highlighted the film's "intensely personal" nature, noting Fábrega's willingness to appear onscreen with her children, taking "emotional and formal risks" to create an "authentic" and "unique hybrid format."
The Films in Development section includes a diverse array of projects. Daniela Muñoz Barroso’s Spanish-Cuban essay documentary, “Diaries of Silence” (“Diarios del silencio”), delves into themes of hearing loss, migration, and motherhood, with the filmmaker traveling to Cuba to preserve the sensory memories of her home for her child. Aliha Thalien’s “Do Not Leave Your Homeland” (“Ne quittes pas ton pays”), from Martinique and France, examines the lasting impact of France’s 1960s Bumidom migration program through the story of a woman returning to Martinique after decades abroad. Carolina Fung’s Costa Rican-Panamanian docu-fiction hybrid, “Hotel Fung,” explores memory, migration, and identity as a filmmaker reconnects with her Chinese Costa Rican heritage. Patricia Pepén’s Dominican Republic production, “Love in the Time of Bacanería” (“El amor en los tiempos de bacanería”), follows a 17-year-old navigating romance and a strained mother-daughter relationship in Santo Domingo. Tamara Espinoza’s “Nana, the Songs of Our Grandmothers” (“Nana, los cantos de nuestras abuelas”), a documentary from Nicaragua and Panama, tells the story of a 70-year-old Kuna woman preserving spiritual balance through song while searching for an heir amidst rising sea levels. Laura Garcia Cordon’s Guatemalan film, “Paper Tower” (“Torre de Papel”), provides an intimate look into the country’s justice system from hidden perspectives. Ardelia Istarú’s Costa Rican-Panamanian hybrid documentary, “Quemada,” explores memory, sexuality, and the mother-daughter relationship through abstract animation and personal testimony. Kryzz Gautier’s Dominican Republic-USA documentary, “Routine Procedure” (“Procedimiento De Rutina”), investigates a forgotten medical tragedy where routine surgeries led to paralysis, focusing on a daughter’s quest for answers. Alexandra Latishev Salazar’s Costa Rican-Spanish feminist horror project, “Sirens” (“Sirenas”), depicts women whose bodies and identities transform after a husband’s disappearance. Olowaili Green Santacruz’s “Suggunya: Between Seas, Molas and Memories” (“Suggunya: Entre mares, molas y memorias”), a co-production from Colombia, Panama, UK, and USA, follows a Gunadule woman reclaiming her people’s history through weaving traditions. Jhojaddy Grissel Ramírez’s Panamanian-Brazilian film, “The Son of the Congo” (“El Hijo del Congo”), highlights Afro-Panamanian culture and Congo dance through a dancer reconnecting with his roots. Jessica Guifarro’s Honduran project, “The Whisper of the River” (“El susurro del río”), explores rootedness and memory through encounters along a river. Natalia Solórzano Vásquez’s “The Woman from the Heat” (“La mujer del calor”) blends documentary and fiction to explore faith, guilt, and redemption. Finally, Aria Sánchez and Marina Meira’s Cuban fiction feature, “Under My Bed a Giraffe Sleeps” (“Debajo de mi cama duerme una jirafa”), centers on a young girl preparing for a wrestling competition while dealing with her mother’s disappearance. Violena Ampudia’s Spanish-Cuban hybrid documentary, “Yara’s Light” (“La luz de Yara”), explores childbirth, postpartum depression, and shared memory among local mothers in eastern Cuba.
This year's "Su Mirada" program at IFF Panama provides a valuable platform for female cinematic voices from Central America and the Caribbean, showcasing their innovative approaches to storytelling. The films collectively highlight the diverse narratives surrounding motherhood and other profound human experiences, demonstrating both artistic ambition and cultural significance. By supporting these filmmakers through awards and collaborative opportunities, IFF Panama fosters the development of a rich and varied regional cinema.