Discoveries from Panama World Cinema

In the countryside of Panamá Jorge looks through his window

A group of students and a nature interpreter embark on an adventure to discover the stories hidden in the forest and the delicate balance that weaves life in Panama.

A chance encounter at a party reunites two old childhood friends, forcing one of them to confront the secrets of her past and the reason why she disappeared without a trace.

A German woman fears she is becoming black and goes through a strange surgery.

As part of the process of political and social transformations undertaken by the military government, a new political model based on the election of corregimiento representatives (505 in total) popularly chosen and that will replace the former Assembly of Deputies controlled by political parties by political parties traditional The majority of the members of this new political experiment are peasants, indigenous, workers and community leaders.

Kenneth is a charismatic character whose trade is taking pictures of his neighbours in Curundú. "An almost retired criminal" and also a man with a talent for storytelling. Through Kenneth and his pictures, the documentary talks about Curundú, one of the poorest and most marginalised neighbourhoods in Panama City.

Convinced of the supernatural events taking place in a small village in Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1981, and which attracts millions of pilgrims every year, a priest collects conclusive testimonies from several countries, at the same time explaining the foundations of that message, according to the "seers " who narrate their experiences with the mother of God. This is the last time she comes into the world, before the events that were conditioned to her and which constitute a call to the conversion of humanity begin to take place.

A documentary detailing the relationship of the Panamanian people and Roberto Duran

Men have ignored the great power of Love. Love since time immemorial tries to unite us, so that when we find our other half, it is for life. A story in chapters, worlds, gods and humans. About the essence of being from the beginnings to modern life. With designs by SousaPitti, Anna Francesca and Frau Lamb.

A musical group of young people from Viejo Veranillo perform protest songs in favor of the sovereignty of Panama. Set in 1976, a year before the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, the members of the group led by “Chirri”, vocalist and ukulele player, tell of their experiences in the neighborhood and their disagreements with the US military on the border that divided its community with the old Canal Zone.

A bus driver dreams of his ideal woman, who materializes with the face of the mermaid painted on his bus. Video transfer of a slide projection by Sandra Eleta, composed of images from nine projectors.

Eugenio and Manuel give each other the opportunity to begin what promises to be true love. However, a revelation will lead them to have to make certain decisions.

Franco, an obsessive and meticulous man, reaches his breaking point when his chaotic roommate pushes him too far — with deadly consequences.

Maria Luisa and John try to spend a relaxing night at home, but Luisa keeps trying to fix the old house. Unsettled, Luisa starts recalling the source of her anxieties and terror reveals hidden truths about their relationship.

A short documentary film that explores the ballroom scene in Panama. It follows Seven and Jupiter, leaders of the Panamanian scene, as they share tips and experiences, and prepare for an important event called “parthners in crime”. The documentary shows how ballroom impacts people's lives and seeks to encourage participation and awareness of the art.

Samy, a contemporary dancer, hides a secret from her family, preventing her from living fully. With the support of her girlfriend, she finds the courage to confront her mother. Samy must be brave to love, dance, and live without regrets.

A real voice memo, recorded during a bad day, introduces us to a sensory journey where Jonathan shows us how his mind deals with a deep sense of loneliness.

History, religion, and colonialism collide with spiritual awakening, miracles, and poverty in Portobelo, Panama, where locals worship a black Jesus Christ. Culminating in the rapturous yearly festival, his most devout followers share how they came to their faith.

Documentary about painter Víctor Lewis, from Colón, Panama.

An ironic portrayal of the days of the U.S. blockade of Panama, set during the dictatorship of Manuel Antonio Noriega, just months before the country was invaded by U.S. troops.

Panama's first collective film. It begins at midnight on August 15th and ends at midnight the following day, celebrating the 500th anniversary of Panama City's founding in 1519.

This short film portrays the story of Guani, an albino Gunadule boy who endures constant discrimination for being different. To counter his reality, he invents an imaginary friend, Nuchu, who guides him, and together they build their own universe through games.

“La Señal de la Libertad” narrates a little-known episode of Panamanian history in the late 1980s. It tells the story of Kurt Muse, a U.S. citizen who, along with a group of six Panamanians, formed a clandestine radio broadcasting network during Manuel Noriega’s dictatorship. Their mission was to intercept and sabotage the communications of Panama’s National Guard to spark an uprising against the regime. 35 years after these events, they decide to step out of anonymity and share their story. The documentary explores the risks and sacrifices of those involved, highlighting the fine line between heroism and danger. More than just a historical chronicle, it delves into the psychology of its protagonists, the silent decisions that shaped their destiny, and the personal and collective impact of living in the shadows.

A woman lies calmly in an infinite abyss. She can't breathe. Is it a man who follows her? A group of people? What is it? Is it all real? Is it all in her head?

A man has a nervous breakdown after making a terrifying conclusion about humanity and its condition in the universe.

A pandemic known as "Eversorem" threatens to leave a population without mobility in their bodies. As the Mobility Corporation promises the cure, they launch their controversial dance competition "Danz3". Alex, a former dancer tormented by his past, is recruited to infiltrate and uncover the truth.

A filmmaker, driven by an enigmatic painting he discovers in his grandmother’s living room, travels to Madrid to meet the artist behind the work: the legendary Latin American artist Julio Zachrisson. What begins as a simple encounter soon blossoms into a deep friendship that will change both their lives. This documentary, featuring never-before-seen interviews and archival footage, invites us to reflect on memory, history, identity, and art as a thread that connects generations.

Visual declamation by the poet Gerardo Maloney. Memories of the struggles for vindication of the black ethnic group.

Sasha, a person of low income and raised in a violent environment will not let discrimination affect her to become the queen of queens.

Mandi, The Little Cockroach is a love story, music is its language and laughter is its fuel. One morning, while cleaning her house, our heroine finds a small treasure and fantasizes the best way to invest it. The social pressure that surrounds her around marriage leads her to imagine herself as a jury of a "reality show" that will help her discover what she really wants.. A modern adaptation in cardboard of Rogelio Sinán's story, " La Cucarachita Mandinga" (Little Mandinga Cockroach).

In a delicate fabric between reality and dream, Chris, a young woman trapped in the monotony of her everyday life. Longing for an unconscious change, she immerses herself in a dreamlike world where her deepest desires come to life. Chris rediscovers herself and the transformative power of her dreams. But will she be able to bring these revelations into her reality, or will they fade with the dawn?

Don Papito lives on the outskirts of town and walks calmly through his village to get his hair cut.

A team of young Hispanic filmmakers encounters a strange old man trapped in time, with the aim of gathering his wisdom. RECUERDO (which premiered in the United States at Cinema On The Bayou) is a docufiction with realistic and magical overtones that takes us on a journey through the intense history of Central America.

A couple are faced with the difficulty of maintaining a long-distance relationship. One tries to continue, the other gives up. Why live apart if it makes more sense to be together?

The film gives voice to the growing trend of Afro-descendants moving back to the continent of Africa to live. It highlights the life of a professional educator and their journey through the Texas school system to find freedom amid issues surrounding school equity, racism, and miseducation. This is juxtaposed against the life and legacy of the founding father of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who enacted empowering policies such as Ujamaa and Education for Self-Reliance, and the life and times of Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, the president who denounced COVID-19.

Colonialism wiped out many Central and South American cultures, but not the Gunadule, the indigenous people of northern Panama. In 1925 they successfully resisted the repression of their culture by the Panamanian government. In three days of fighting, they won their autonomy and thus saved their way of life. Known as the “Dule Revolution,” the glorious battle is commemorated annually with a reenactment involving hundreds of participants, including many children. Bila Burba, made by Duiren Wagua, a member of the Gunadule, shows the reenactment of the successful revolution, and looks back with descendants of the revolutionaries on the reasons for the uprising and the course of the events. ...

A man who kills for hire has a method of making his victims disappear.

A young man reflects on his life choices on the verge of ending a relationship.

A couple of children from Portobelo Colón discover the musical genre “Calypso”. In an attempt to regain their identity, and despite the apathy of some towards their culture and roots, they begin rehearsing for the grand opening gala, where new generations of calypsonians will be presented.