The ETHNIC AUDIOVISUAL POWER Strategy
Bringing the hidden brilliance of black creatives to the light, helping it shine again.
the context.
Black people in Colombia make up 10 to 15% of the population: close to the same as the United States. We are 10 out of 50 million people: a country within a country. But the visual and sound narratives of black Colombian peoples are rarely brought to life outside our communities: We know and celebrate ourselves, but remain nearly invisible through an external lens.
The problem.
IN FILM.
The National Film Development Fund created in 2003 has supported only two black film directors in its entire history.
IN MUSIC.
Even when black musicians gain visibility (e.g. Chocquibtown), production is still mainly led by white/mestizo producers from outside the Afro-Colombian community.
We are working to change these systems by supporting music and film productions like:
the VISIBLE HANDS/Plu con Pla
Documentary
The strategy.
Ethnic Audiovisual Power is Manos Visibles’ blueprint for strengthening the ecosystem that allows black creatives to contribute directly to social change and the economic empowerment of marginalized black peoples of the Colombian Pacific Coast. The region, with its 90% black population, is a powerful driver of Colombian music and culture.
Building up the cultural sector from within the most marginalized regions in the country presents an opportunity for social inclusion, peace-building and economic recovery in Colombia - a cultural powerhouse with a broad, layered creative sector with deep African roots.