Against the Current: Isabel Cuadros on Finding Belonging through Cinema without Borders

Isabel Cuadros participated in Cinema without Borders in 2018 in Buenos Aires. CwB is a workshop programme focused on film and human rights. Isabel describes this programme as a safe space where she realised she was not alone in her mission to use film for social change. “It gave me a sense of solidarity and community with other filmmakers and activists across Latin America.” We discussed her activities as a film festival organiser in Colombia and how her CWB participation has helped her in this journey.

Isabel is currently working for Proimágenes Colombia, which administers Colombia’s Film Development Fund and promotes Colombian cinema internationally. Her journey into the film festival industry began while studying journalism. Her interest in film was sparked by an elective course that she took on cinema appreciation. Later she did an internship at the Bogotá Film Festival, which solidified her passion for programming and organizing film festivals. But she experienced that there is often a focus on producers, directors or scriptwriters in the film festival world. There is a lack of attention given to those who organise film festivals with a social or environmental focus. “These festival organisers often work alone, creating events that aim to unite communities and bring attention to important causes.”

This is where Cinema without Borders came into the picture. In 2018 she participated in this workshop programme for human rights film festival organisers. Isabel explains that Cinema without Borders created an environment where she could finally share experiences, exchange advice, and find solutions to common problems with likeminded people. “Meeting others from places like Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Mexico brought us out of isolation and made us realise we were not the only ones doing this”. The other festival organisers, also working in rural and marginalised areas, often faced similar obstacles; for example, challenges regarding the lack of basic infrastructure such as electricity and running water. This can make organising a festival a feat of perseverance.

It was like I was fighting against the current and then this place like CwB is that kind of like connection where it is like “No worries. I will hold you. You are not alone.

“Film festivals, especially those with a social impact, are very niche. This makes them vulnerable, fragile, and hard to organise,” Isabel explains. “It felt like I was fighting against the current, but when joining CwB I experienced the connection with others and did not feel alone anymore.”

Meeting people facing similar struggles and dreams created a familial bond. “You spend all of those days together, you eat together, you sleep in the same hotel…you become a family at the end of the week,” she explains. This camaraderie doesn’t end when the event is over. The network built at these encounters continues to thrive, with organisers staying in touch, sharing news, and attending each other’s festivals long after their initial meeting. She expresses gratitude for the community that they’ve become a part of, and the powerful work they’re all doing together: “You create your own community based on the same ambitions, visions, and difficulties. And from there, you create something truly special.” She feels supported by this global support system while facing challenges and tensions in politically sensitive environments regarding the organisation of a screening.

This experience and network was also helpful when Isabel worked for the Ambulante Colombia film festival. Her main focus was on bringing films to regions without regular access to cinema. This initiative strives to reach rural areas where conflict is prevalent, and through documentaries and workshops they want to foster discussions on social issues. She explains that when she screened a film in a paramilitary-controlled town about the peace treaty between the Colombian government and FARC, this posed risks. She highlights that there is often a political challenge when screening films in isolated regions. However, “films can serve as an eye-opener for audiences who may not be fully aware of the violence and conflicts occurring.”. Isabel points out the importance of film in creating dialogue about social and political issues that are otherwise difficult to face.

This connection extended beyond professional learning—it was also deeply personal.

“What happened to me after participating in the CWB programme was incredible because it had an extreme snowball effect for me professionally.” After the Cinema without Borders in Buenos Aires, Isabel was invited to go to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to join another encounter of environmental film festivals. “In the end, I met so many other people who connected me to other film festival networks.” Isabel is currently working as the International Promotion Coordinator at Proimágenes Colombia. Here she helps connect Colombian filmmakers with international partners, promoting Colombian films at global festivals. Her role involves presenting Colombian films to festival programmers and facilitating co-productions. Though she is no longer directly involved in organizing human rights film festivals, her work continues to promote the visibility of Colombian cinema on an international stage.

Applications for Cinema without Borders 2025 are open! This five-day workshop and networking programme, held during the Movies that Matter Festival in The Hague (22–26 March 2025), is perfect for film festival professionals looking to create impactful human rights events. Click here to learn more and apply before 5 January 2025 midnight CET.