Ver Cine Colombiano: Noticias | Proimágenes Colombia

Originally named the Indie Pasion Festival, the Ibero-American Film Festival Miami (IAFFM) was created in 2016 to highlight and honor films from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal that stand out for their artistic merit and impactful social messages. Its mission also entails supporting local and Ibero-American filmmakers' education and creative growth by providing access to training and networking opportunities. In 2024, the festival's Industry section, now in its second edition, aims to foster collaboration among the various stakeholders of the Ibero-American film industry while serving as a conduit to the U.S. film industry.

Several Colombian productions were featured across the festival's several program sections. Most notably, El otro hijo (The Other Son) by Juan Sebastián Quebrada premiered in the New Talents section. The film tells the story of Federico and his brother Simón as they embrace their teenage years until tragedy strikes when Simón falls from a balcony at a party and dies. As Federico witnesses the disintegration of his family, he struggles to maintain a semblance of normalcy during his final weeks of school. Struggling to express his grief, he finds solace in Laura, his dead brother's girlfriend, and seems to find comfort in her company. 

Maria Isabel Burnes' Panamanian-Colombian co-production Tumbadores, presented at Contemporary Visions and Panorama Latino, follows Manuela as she assists her father in the operations of an Arab drug cartel. When her father is arrested, Manuela devises a risky plan to secure his release: she reunites with her former criminal associates and orchestrates the theft of a drug shipment. This sets off a conflict between narcos and tumbadores that threatens not only Manuela's life but also her relationship with her father.

Also highlighted in this section is Somos Ecos (We Are Echoes), a war drama written, directed, and co-produced by Julián Díaz Velosa in his directorial debut. The narrative revolves around three young men: a reluctant punk, an undercover guerrilla fighter, and a peasant, all forced to join an armed conflict.

Yuldor Gutiérrez's film Ángel de mi vida (Angel of My Life) was presented in the Social Impact section. The film tells the story of a cheerful, sweet boy with a cognitive disability who trains to become a successful athlete. Despite his aspirations, what he actually longs for is his father's recognition. But his father, a former sports star, struggles to connect with him because of his own success. Only when life teaches him a hard lesson does he soften his heart and decide to support his son's dreams. Inspired by actual events, this heartfelt story captures the challenges faced by a disabled child and the enduring strength of family bonds. Also in this section was Hijos del hielo (Children of the Ice) by Óscar Darío Jiménez. This documentary takes viewers on a journey through Colombia's vanishing glacier mountains, highlighting the lives dedicated to preserving and documenting these remarkable natural formations. 

In Social Impact Shorts was Christian Camilo Ossa's La cima (The Peak), which tells the story of Wilmar Marulanda's journey as an athlete overcoming challenges to reach the summit from different perspectives. It explores the realm of national cycling through an athlete facing harsh conditions. Also included in this section was Miguel Otálora's Una porción por envase (A Serving per Container). After a shipwreck, a couple, owners of a small family tuna business, survive by consuming canned tuna. Hungry for rescue, the woman sends signals through empty tuna cans. Her partner's efforts to keep her close become the catalyst for her freedom.

In the Short Film section, Duván Duque's Todo Incluido (All Inclusive) portrays Fer, an eleven-year-old who travels with his family to a rural resort near Bogota. Despite his father's business commitments, he promises to prioritize the family fun that has been missing for some time. This section also included Juan Pablo Laserna's Wolf at the Door, which depicts three New York police officers responding to a disturbance call. Tensions escalate, and one of the tenants is shot. As they grapple with their next steps, they find themselves confronting each other and realizing that everything they hold dear is at stake.

Three Colombian animated titles were highlighted, starting with Alebrijes by Luis Salas. This short film is based on the true story of Pedro Linares, a traditional Mexican craftsman who, after an accident, finds himself in the enchanting world of alebrijes. On this strange planet, he encounters Mapache, a curious raccoon-like creature, as well as several other eerie yet captivating beings. Also presented was La otra forma (The Other Shape), directed by Diego Guzmán. It portrays a near future in which humanity constructs an artificial square paradise on the surface of the moon, accessible only to those who conform to a square appearance and mindset. To achieve this, individuals resort to "squaring machines": devices, surgeries, and presses that turn their bodies into cubes and stifle any inclination toward inquiry. A man fixated on assimilation is faced with the choice of conforming to squareness or embracing his authentic self. Finally, this section featured Nocturno en Chapinero (Night at Chapinero) by Camilo Cogua Rodríguez, a tribute to Bogota's iconic neighborhood. "Don't leave us. Walk among us, it will never dawn in Chapinero. Bogota embraces you with its sidewalk, your shoes are stained with colors, and the tense calm of the street caresses you with an unexpected and familiar desire. The hustle and bustle becomes a celebration of pleasure and pain. Don't leave us".

Finally, the Work in Progress segment of the Festival's Industry section will celebrate its second year within the Festival's framework. This segment focuses on Ibero-American feature films in post-production seeking funding for completion. It offers specialized workshops on sales, distribution, festival strategies, pitches, and other relevant topics to bolster the projects. This year's program included El silencio de los palafitos (The Silence of the Palafittes) by Yull Núñez Yepes.