Alternativa at BAM in Colombia

Alternativa officially debuted in Colombia

Alternativa officially debuted in Colombia during the Bogotá Audiovisual Market and introduced a new residency for developing impact campaigns, led by our regional partner, Nodo Sur.

1 August 2025

#opencall#awards#festival

1 August 2025

#opencall#awards#festival

Alternativa officially debuted in Colombia with a panel discussion during the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM). This marked a major step in the lead-up to the Alternativa Film Festival 2026, which will take place in Colombia with Latin America as its focus region.

The BAM session, titled “Festival-Ready: 5 Ways to Boost Your Film’s Visibility and Impact,” was hosted in partnership with inDrive, Alternativa’s founding partner. Speakers included Natalia Pylaeva (Program Director at Alternativa), Anna Gudkova (Head of Industry and Labs at Alternativa), and Marcela Lizcano (Creative Producer, Impact Strategist, and Founder of Nodo Sur) shared  insights and strategies on how filmmakers can connect with audiences and create social change through film. 

The session highlighted Alternativa’s growing presence in the region and emphasized the initiative’s commitment to empowering local storytellers with global visibility and resources. 

  • Anna Gudkova & Natalia Pylaeva (Alternativa) at the BAM panel
  • Marcela Lizcano (Nodo Sur), Anna Gudkova (Alternativa), and Natalia Pylaeva (Alternativa) at the BAM panel
  • Audience at the BAM panel discussion
  • Natalia Pylaeva (Alternativa) & Anna Gudkova (Alternativa) at BAM
  • Natalia Pylaeva (Alternativa) at BAM

Anna Gudkova & Natalia Pylaeva (both Alternativa) at the BAM panel

During the BAM session Alternativa also introduced a new residency for impact campaigns led by its regional partner Nodo Sur, which will support six Latin American films in developing outreach strategies.

Marcela Lizcano

At Nodo Sur, we’re truly excited about this partnership, which we see as a powerful opportunity to strengthen cinema in Latin America and foster more collaborations within the region’s impact film ecosystem.

Marcela Lizcano
Founder of Nodo Sur

The BAM event followed last month’s press conference at the Guadalajara International Film Festival, where the open call for Alternativa Film Festival 2026 was officially launched. Submissions are free and open until October 10, 2025. Feature-length films of all genres are accepted from Latin America and Asia, while short films are accepted exclusively from Latin America. 

More details about the festival — including the host city, dates, and International Jury — will be announced soon.

Anna Gudkova (Alternativa)

Latin America has one of the strongest impact storytelling communities in the world. Launching Alternativa here is an incredible opportunity for us to learn and grow. Colombia, as the new home of our festival, offers stories born from deep and often painful experiences — alongside a drive to heal and move forward. We have amazing partners in the region, and I truly believe that the local landscape and our new collaborations offer everything we need for meaningful, transformative work. 

Anna Gudkova
Head of Industry and Labs at Alternativa

Alternativa thanks its partners in Latin America — Nodo Sur, Bogotá Audiovisual Market, Guadalajara International Film Festival, Proimagenes Colombia, Taturana, Impacta Cine, La Corriente del Golfo, Cámara de comercio de Bogotá — for their support and looks forward to building new connections and collaborations throughout the region. 

In Colombia, the team has also initiated dialogue with the Secretaría de Cultura de Bogotá and Medellín, the Cinemateca Distrital, the Instituto Distrital de las Artes (Idartes), universities, and hotel networks, strengthening a diverse and engaged ecosystem around the project.