After opening new offices in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina this year, Netflix is now turning its attention to Colombia.
Francisco Ramos, Netflix’s VP of original content, Latin America, was at the 65th Cartagena Film Festival (FICCI) to present four key initiatives aimed at bolstering the country’s audiovisual industry and give a sneak peek of Season 2 of “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” the streamer’s most ambitious series in the region.
“To us, telling stories in Colombia is just the beginning. We want the experience of producing on a large scale – as we’ve done with ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ – to leave a positive impression on the creative industry. Today, the goal is to continue driving this growth so that the local ecosystem becomes increasingly robust, competitive and sustainable,” said Ramos, noting that Netflix was marking its 15th anniversary in Latin America, where it produced three out of its first five original local language shows.
In an exclusive interview with Variety, he pointed out that while Colombia has shown immense potential, it remains vital that Netflix provide not just financial support, but also the resources to execute artistic and technical craftsmanship.
“Otherwise, there’s a risk of a bubble: lots of production without quality, ambition or proper execution. The talent exists and with the initiatives we’ve been doing — and the new ones we’re launching — we’re emphasizing the need for more people to develop their craft. This will allow not only more diverse stories but also a deeper understanding of Colombia’s complexity: multiple large cities, diverse cultures, Caribbean, Pacific, central regions, and borders with several countries. On the technical side, people have always had the knowledge, but lacked resources. Now, we provide the tools and opportunities to fully develop their expertise.”
“I really believe it’s crucial for talented people to feel they can succeed in their own country. I’d be concerned if talented Colombians felt that to succeed in any craft — production design, costume, makeup, VFX, cinematography or production — they had to leave the country. People should have the option, especially in such a culturally rich country like Colombia, to build their careers at home.”
The four new training initiatives are:
Opera Prima Lab Film & Series:
Developed in partnership with FICCI, it will focus on guiding emerging filmmakers who are developing their first feature film or series. Alongside Netflix, the program “offers specialized mentorship in storytelling, essential production tools, and access to the FICCI programming, aimed at continuing to build our capacity to tell our own stories,” said Mónica Moya, FICCI industry director.
“There are extraordinary new filmmakers emerging — when I say “small,” I mean their films are small in scale, not in vision. Many of these movies wouldn’t be made without incentives, so we’re building the infrastructure to give these filmmakers access to people who can help make their projects more extraordinary, unique and individual,” Ramos asserted.
“It’s interesting because some might think our efforts are self-serving, but many of these films may never even end up on Netflix — and that’s perfectly fine. These filmmakers or writers could later work on a show with us or bring a project to us. I genuinely feel that when a film gets made because of the resources and support we provide — even if we’re technically competitors — it validates the ecosystem we’re building,” he added.
Lab Macondo 3:
In partnership with the Colombian Film Academy, led by Cristina Umaña, actress and President of the Colombian Film Academy, the Lab builds on earlier editions focused on literary adaptation and production design. Now in its third iteration, it centers on executive production as the bridge between creative vision and project sustainability, with most of its 24 participants hailing from across Colombia’s regions.
“Developing the craft of production designers — similar to the way exceptional designers in Mexico are recognized globally — will be hugely beneficial here. For example, many art directors who worked on ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ with Bárbara Enríquez are now joining us and even our competitors as production designers, because they now understand and can bring this level of vision to a project,” Ramos noted.
Audiovisual Industry Provider Training Program: 80 companies will be participating in this initiative in partnership with local producers association ASOCINDE, which will focus on fortifying the capabilities of companies to develop and produce content, said its president Diego F. Ramírez. “Every link in the chain is essential for content to reach audiences across borders; that is why the program promotes the development of skills, services and logistical capabilities that enable us to take our productions further.”
BAMMERS: Developed alongside promotional entity Proimágenes Colombia as part of the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM), the initiative backs a new generation of Latin American producers by providing them with tools and connections to develop projects with international appeal.
“Opportunities make the difference, and these training programs pave the way for them. Initiatives like BAMMERS provide access to international experts, allow for the sharing of experiences, and connect participants with producers currently active in the industry. It’s a unique opportunity — one that’s often found not in universities, but in real life — and this is the first step,” said Claudia Triana, executive director of Proimágenes.
This initiative builds on the momentum led by “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” which marked a milestone for Colombia’s industry, not only for its cultural significance but also for its economic impact. Injecting close to $60 million into the national economy, it was a gargantuan production that involved building the mythical village of Macondo, which spanned over 5,812,506 square feet and tapped thousands of local talent and resources.
The 65th Cartagena Film Festival runs April 14- 19.
