Netflix boosted presence at Sanfic, guided by Alex de la Iglesia's inspiration; unique qualities of Latin America in focus; further Sanfic insights revealed.
Sanfic 2025: A Celebration of Chilean Cinema and International Collaboration
Sanfic, the Santiago International Film Festival, marked its 21st edition this year with a notable growth trajectory. The festival, held in conjunction with Sanfic Industria for the 14th time, saw a 20% increase in attendance compared to previous years.
The festival opened with the 2025 Cannes Palme d'Or winner, "It Was Just an Accident," and closed with a Netflix pickup, "Miss Carbon." One of the highlights of the industry centerpiece Work in Progress was Helena Guerra's "The Monster," which received the most plaudits of any rough cut.
In the Chilean Cinema Competition, "South of Winter, Lies the Snow" won best picture, while "A Poet" shared top honors with Carlos Marqués Marcet’s "Dust They Will Be." Another double win went to Mariana Rondón's "Zafari," which scored a special mention and best performance for Daniela Ramirez.
The festival also saw a significant presence from international streaming giants. Netflix championed Sanfic Industria's Queer Incubator and co-hosted a presentation with Chile's Academy of Cinelab. The streaming platform also picked up "Miss Carbon" for distribution.
Indigenous or Afro-Latin American cinema and strong documentary storytelling were key themes at the festival. Michelin discussed these trends, highlighting the growing importance of these perspectives in contemporary cinema.
Sebastián Lelio's "The Wave" resonated with Santiago audiences, and Fabula, founded in 2004, continued its success with offices in Chile, the U.S., Mexico, and Spain, and productions in Spain. Juan de Dios Larraín, a producer at Fabula, discussed the challenges of producing without streamers and offered advice for smaller independents.
The Blood Window, a genre forum at Sanfic, announced its first major Mexican initiative, Blood Window Vertical, to support emerging horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and dark thriller filmmakers. Alex de la Iglesia conducted a masterclass at the festival, which was packed with an audience receiving him with whoops of delight.
The festival also saw a boost in submissions to Sanfic Lab projects platforms, increasing by 98%. "Futura Licenciada" won best short at Sanfic, and the Chilean Film Academy and Netflix presented CineLab: Chile in Feminine, a training facility and development lab for debut or second-feature directors.
For the first time, Sanfic 2025 received financial support from Chile's Ministry of Culture and Arts. The most important companies involved in film production in Chile that have won Sanfic Industria Awards are not explicitly named in the search results; however, notable Chilean directors like Alejandro Jodorowsky have been recognized, indicating that filmmakers and related production entities connected to Sanfic may include those associated with his and similar works. Specific Chilean production companies winning Sanfic Industria Awards are not detailed in the available information.
In conclusion, Sanfic 2025 was a celebration of Chilean cinema, international collaboration, and the continued growth and evolution of the film industry in Chile and beyond.
