20/03/2025 - The filmmaker breaks down her experience at the most recent San Sebastián Film Festival, as part of the EULAC4cinema project intended to bolster European-Latin American cooperation

Jaisia Figueroa was selected to take part in last year’s San Sebastián Film Festival as part of the EULAC4cinema project, run by Cineuropa and funded by the European Commission (see the news), which aims to strengthen cinematic cooperation between Europe and Latin America. From among 120 applicants, only two participants were chosen for this initiative, highlighting their talent and the relevance of their propositions to the realm of indigenous and minority cinema. Now, months after her participation, the Peruvian-born, Spanish-based director reflects on the experience, what she learned and the impact that this programme has had on her professional career.

Cineuropa: What was the experience of taking part in San Sebastián like after the call went out for indigenous projects in Latin America? What lessons or impressions would you single out from this opportunity, and how did it influence your perspective on indigenous cinema?
Jaisia Figueroa: It was an enriching experience – it was so important and strategic for me, as it symbolises the meeting point between Ibero-America and Europe. I think that producing films in the context of diversity and minorities is complex and difficult; for that exact reason, you need to create a form of networking that includes a shared interest. At San Sebastián, I was able to meet industry professionals with similar interests, some Latin American migrants like myself – who live in Europe and with whom we have stayed in contact with a view to collaborating – in addition to possible co-producers and distributors.

Have you already seen any specific results or advancements since you took part in EULAC4cinema? Could you share any examples of how this initiative has had an impact on the development or visibility of your projects?
I’m convinced that my participation in EULAC4cinema marks a milestone in my career as a European-based Latin American producer. It has given me various tools and the chance to seek out new opportunities that all add up to enable me to begin my professional career in Spain; for example, I’ve been selected for the Mentoring 1to1 programme, a personalised mentoring scheme for emerging professionals with diverse areas of expertise, organised by CIMA (the Association of Women Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media), and funded by Netflix and the ICAA. Thanks to CIMA, I can attend the MAFIZ industry section of the Málaga Film Festival, which is a hugely important venue for Ibero-American film.

What are your plans when it comes to continuing to develop your projects now, after this experience?
Having a base in Spain now, in 2025, I’m beginning to work together with Originaria Films – a production house whose main goal is to shine a spotlight on stories about underrepresented communities. It’s not just a professional challenge, but also a dream. I’m convinced that these stories, which are so vital and valuable, will find their niche in the film industry. We are currently beginning to develop projects that we are thinking of producing and co-producing in Spain, with the country as a midpoint, thus connecting Latin America and Europe.

(Translated from Spanish)