Island Filmmakers Unite at INSULARIA Festival, Bridging Atlantic Divides

The INSULARIA Festival – Islands of the World in the Network – recently connected island communities across the Atlantic. Despite being separated by water, these places share a common bond: their island identity. A highlight of the festival was the "Isla Mujeres" (Island Women) section, a space for island creators to connect, share their films, and discuss their unique way of life.

One participant was Claudia Barthelemy, a filmmaker, screenwriter, and anthropologist from Menorca. She presented her work-in-progress, "Característica Nocturna" (Nocturnal Characteristic), at a meeting in Valverde, El Hierro. The session, led by Carla Valdés from the festival's organizing team, also featured Cris Vivó from CIMA Canarias (a film association) and filmmaker Gio Smirack from Chiloé. The discussion was full of insights, emotions, and shared experiences.

Barthelemy's participation was part of an exchange with the Menorca Doc Fest. Her film was one of three winners of the Biosphere Prize for Documentary Creation at the Menorca Doc Fest 2024. This partnership allows both festivals to promote cultural and cinematic exchange within Spain.

INSULARIA will also be present at the Menorca Doc Fest on October 17, with programmer Carla Valdés attending. Juanma V. Betancort, director of the INSULARIA Festival, will be on the jury for the Premi Ullastre at the Menorca Doc Fest, further strengthening the connection between the two festivals.

Barthelemy believes that being from an island shapes your perspective. "Living on an island influences you," she said, "because you experience the land in a very specific way. There's a shared island identity, regardless of the differences between islands, and that's reflected in the stories we tell."

This shared identity, formed by the sea, volcanoes, isolation, and belonging, was the central theme of Isla Mujeres. It celebrated female creativity from often overlooked places, giving a voice to those on the margins.

Barthelemy also discussed the impact of tourism on islands, arguing that it changes not only the landscape but also our emotions and stories. "Tourism alters how we see and talk about the places we live," she noted, advocating for films that acknowledge these changes and preserve the memory of the land.

As a member of CIMA (Association of Women Filmmakers and Audiovisual Media) and DOCMA (Spanish Association of Documentary Cinema), Barthelemy emphasized the importance of collective spaces in the film industry. "It's crucial to connect and advocate for our spaces. CIMA's work has been vital in opening doors, creating opportunities, and connecting female voices. While progress is being made, it's still fragile, and we need to stay united and active."

She also acknowledged the ongoing challenges. "The economic gap and access to resources remain major obstacles. Films made by women still have smaller budgets and less representation in decision-making roles. We also need to be able to tell all kinds of stories, without our gender defining the perspective or subject matter."

Regarding "Característica Nocturna," Barthelemy appreciated the chance to share a work-in-progress and get feedback from the audience. "It's a project that started with local support and has evolved a lot. I'm excited to share it at this stage, while it's still developing, because the audience's input can be very valuable."

She is currently working on the next stage of the project, as well as two new feature films: "Dos destellos cada diez segundos" (Two Flashes Every Ten Seconds), an expanded version of the previous one, and "Rojo y sus platillos voladores" (Rojo and His Flying Saucers), a documentary.

Her experience at INSULARIA was more than just a screening or discussion. It confirmed that when islands connect, the ocean becomes a bridge. "Participating in INSULARIA has been an experience of connection and shared learning," she concluded. "Island cinema has its own unique, intimate perspective, deeply connected to the land. And sharing that with other island women is, without a doubt, a form of resistance and creation."

This sentiment captures the spirit of Isla Mujeres: a network of voices that, despite their apparent isolation, come together to create something powerful and essential.

INSULARIA – Islands of the World in the Network is supported by Promotur Turismo de Islas Canarias, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo de El Hierro, and the collaboration of the municipalities hosting the festival.