In the heart of Peru’s Amazon region, the community of Belén recently hosted an extraordinary event—the Muyuna Floating Film Festival—a 10-day celebration of cinema amidst the lush backdrop of tropical forests. For many residents, this festival was their first experience watching movies on the big screen, made possible by a unique 10-meter-high wooden structure erected to accommodate the area’s flooded landscape.
Daniel Martínez-Quintanilla, co-executive director of the festival, highlighted its mission to pay homage to the world’s jungles and Indigenous communities, who hold vital knowledge in addressing the challenges faced by forests amidst climate change. The festival showcased films from countries with tropical forests, alongside works created by young Peruvian filmmakers.
Belén, a community deeply intertwined with water, faces constant challenges due to seasonal floods that disrupt daily life. Residents navigate the flooded streets using canoes or makeshift vessels, highlighting the resilience of a community accustomed to adapting to their environment’s demands.
Jorge Chilicahua, a longtime resident and farmer in Belén, expressed his gratitude for the festival, providing an opportunity for the community to connect with different cultures and narratives. For Chilicahua and many others, this event offered a glimpse into worlds previously unknown, bridging geographical and cultural divides.
Despite the festival’s festive atmosphere, the realities of life in Belén are marked by hardship, including challenges such as malnutrition and lack of access to clean water. However, the Muyuna Floating Film Festival serves as a beacon of hope, fostering community spirit and resilience amidst adversity.
Among the films screened was the Peruvian animated short “The Engine and the Melody,” which poignantly portrays the delicate balance of Amazonian ecosystems and the resilience of nature in the face of adversity. Through storytelling and cinematic artistry, the festival celebrated the beauty and complexity of the Amazon while highlighting the urgent need for environmental stewardship.
As the festival concludes, its impact resonates beyond the screen, leaving a lasting impression on the community of Belén and underscoring the transformative power of cinema in fostering dialogue, empathy, and environmental consciousness.
