Introducing innovative films on gender and identity from young people in Venezuela
The EU Delegation to Venezuela hosted the awards of its third and so far most successful edition of its Cortoscopio short film competition in November 2024.
This year’s competition received 40 entries, with a remarkable presence of female directors. Over half of the films came from regions beyond Caracas, showcasing the growing interest of young filmmakers in participating across Venezuela. The festival gathered young attendees, diplomats, civil society and representatives of the Venezuelan audio-visual sector.
The film themes reflected values central to the EU-LAC Cinema initiative and other themes prioritised by EU’s work in Venezuela, covering topics such as gender identity, sexual health as well as ocean conservation.
European Union, 2024
[Photo: Patricia Castillo (centre), director of "Jessica”,which won the best short film on gender.]
The best short film in the gender topic, “Jessica”, by Patricia Castillo, touches with humour and lightness upon gender discrimination.
Reflecting on how to manage the perception of diversity and the possible related exclusion, the best short film on health issues and audience award “Indetectable” by Luis José Glod, portrays how these issues can break apart a family.
European Union, 2024
[Photo: Oriana Abello (centre), director of "La Bala", one of the best short films on sexual health.]
In the same category, “La Bala” by Oriana Abello, gently connects young audiences to the sensitive topic of intimacy.
Launched in 2022 as part of the European Year of Youth, the short film competition "Cortoscopio" complements the European Film Festival in Venezuela, "Euroscopio". This initiative invites young Venezuelans, aged 18 to 30, to explore and depict important social issues through film. The themes for the first edition in 2022 included gender and inclusion and climate change, while the 2023 edition covered European heritage in Venezuela, entrepreneurship with a social impact, and youth and the environment.
The awards were presented to:
Ocean Conservation – Less plastic, more life:
- Best short film: “La Venganza de la Tortuga” by Gabriel Rodríguez
- Honorable Mention: “Sarama” by Carlos Pirela
Sexual Health:
- Best short film: “Indetectable” by Luis José Glod
- Best short film: “La Bala,” by Oriana Abello
Gender Identity:
- Best short film: “Jessica” by Patricia Castillo
Audience Award: “Indetectable” by Luis José Glod
All the shortfilms can be viewed here:
Watch the film “Jessica” by Patricia Castillo
Background
Cortoscopio is an activity in line with the values and objectives of the initiative EU-LAC Cinema: promoting audio-visual cooperation on youth, gender and diversity (#EULAC #Cinema). This initiative is part of the EU-CELAC Bi-regional Roadmap 2023-2025, presented last year at the Summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Brussels. This roadmap lists a variety of key milestones ahead of the forthcoming EU-CELAC 2025 Summit in Colombia.
