Quibdó, a city where music fills every corner and the jungles embrace it like an embrace, young people not only carry with them their dreams, but also the possibility of transforming their future. In a world that often marginalizes them or defines them solely by the challenges they face, they respond with art, film and a creativity that knows no limits. In this context, the Quibdó Africa Film Festival (QAFF) emerges as a platform to amplify their voices and provide them with tools to tell their own stories to the world.

The voices of a new generation
The youth of Quibdó are not defined by the adversities they face, but by the strength and creativity with which they confront them. They are natural storytellers, capable of turning their everyday experiences into universal tales that transcend the boundaries of their city, beyond the Atrato River. Through the QAFF, young local filmmakers are taking control of their narratives, using film not only as a form of expression, but as an act of resistance and empowerment.
“Cinema gives us the power to show what Quibdó really is: its culture, its people, its hope,” shares Lady, a filmmaker participating in the festival. For her and many others, the QAFF is not simply an event, but an opportunity to learn and connect with others. “We are showing that there is talent here, that there are stories here that deserve to be told,” she adds proudly.
Workshops to build dreams
One of the highlights of the QAFF is its film production training workshops, specifically designed to empower the youth of Quibdó. From scriptwriting to film editing, these workshops not only provide technical knowledge, but also inspire confidence and vision in those who participate.
In one of these workshops, Jonatan tells how he managed to turn a painful memory from his childhood into the script of a short film. “Before, I didn’t know I could tell my story in this way. Now I feel that cinema is my language,” he says with a shy but confident smile.
Taught by national and international filmmakers, these workshops not only equip young people with practical skills, but also foster collaboration and a sense of community. More importantly, they remind them that their stories have value and deserve to be heard.
Stories of resilience and creativity
The stories emerging from Quibdó are a reflection of the indomitable spirit of its people. From a documentary exploring Chocó’s ancestral traditions to experimental films capturing everyday life in the city’s neighborhoods, young filmmakers are proving that they not only have something to say, but they know how to say it with exceptional depth and artistry.
“Cinema brings us together, it gives us the opportunity to see ourselves and understand that our differences make us stronger,” says Rosa, another filmmaker participating in the festival. Her short film, inspired by her relationship with her environment, combines elements of Afro-Colombian oral tradition with poetic images of the jungle surrounding Quibdó.
These productions not only connect local communities, but also allow us to share a part of Quibdó with the rest of the world. Each frame portrays a complex city, full of challenges, but also full of hope.
The future they build
With every shot filmed and every script written, the youth of Quibdó are redefining what it means to be agents of change. Film gives them the opportunity not only to imagine different futures, but also to build them.
The Quibdó Africa Film Festival is not just a space for film screenings; it is a catalyst for empowerment. It is a reminder that the voices of young people are not only the future, but also the present, and that their stories have the power to transform reality.
At the heart of this movement is community: a network of filmmakers, mentors, and viewers who recognize the value of these voices and are committed to amplifying them. Every story told and every workshop taught paints a picture of a Quibdó in which young people are not only heard, but celebrated.
Beyond the lights
When QAFF screenings come to an end and the lights go out, what remains is a legacy of inspiration. The young people who participated in the workshops not only gain new skills, but also a renewed perspective on their role in the world.
Through the stories of his youth, Quibdó becomes an example for everyone: a city where creativity flourishes even in the most difficult circumstances, where cinema is not only art, but also resistance, and where every story, however small it may seem, has the power to change everything.
At QAFF, the future is reinvented in every frame, and the young people of Quibdó invite us to be part of this transformation.
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