Small cinemas are filmmaking processes that challenge hegemonic ways of producing and exhibiting films. This notion was first conceptualized in Europe to refer to films produced in regions and languages that have been historically marginalized in European national cinemas. In the South American context, it refers to audiovisual productions that are ignored by the national film industries, in countries that are sidelined by the larger film industries of Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.  

These audiovisual practices and artisanal film texts are produced by diverse social actors, including feminist collectives (Ecuador), “non-professional” filmmakers reflecting on war and memory through horror and action films (Peru and Colombia) and experimental and amateur films that have been excluded from film history despite their great artistry (Ecuador). Despite their diversity, what they have in common is that all of them go beyond the idea of who can represent a nation, a culture, class, gender or ethnic group.  These audiovisual practices reveal different notions of identity and locality that are often absent in national and international imaginaries.  

The invited scholars will present, view and analyze films that rarely reach European audiences, but that are widely consumed by people in the countries where they are produced. This seminar offers us an opportunity to expand on practices, aesthetics and notions of independent and alternative filmmaking, grounded in South American perspectives. 

Four South American academics will lead this seminar, based on their recently published book Small Cinemas of the Andes: New Aesthetics, Practices and Platforms (Palgrave, 2023). These are Diana Coryat, co-editor of the book and media practitioner and lecturer at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar; Libertad Gills, postdoctoral researcher for the Future of Cinema & the Audiovisual Arts at the Università della Svizzera Italiana; Diana Cuéllar-Ledesma, independent researcher and art curator; and Luisa González, PhD candidate at CEDLA and organizer of this seminar.