“Ancestral Artist”: A Look at the Craft of Latin American Crafts

This documentary travels through Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay to give visibility to those who have been recognized solely as artisans.

In Latin America, where some peoples wrote their history on paper and others wove it, “Ancestral Artist: Masterpieces That Tell Stories” was born—a transmedia project that reclaims crafts as a living expression of Latin American art and identity.

Directed by Jhony Cubides and with Gina Vargas de Roemmers as executive producer, this documentary travels through Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay to give visibility to those who, for generations, have been recognized solely as artisans, when in reality they are ancestral artists.

The production brings together a multidisciplinary team of Latin American artists and combines intimate interviews, curatorial voice-over, graphic animations, and visual support material to create an immersive and educational experience. The project includes a four-part documentary series, each episode 10 minutes long, as well as a 70-minute feature film that will expand the narrative and solidify the concept.

After screening at international festivals, it will be available on digital platforms and VOD. The series has already been presented at venues such as the Atlanta Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival, marking the beginning of its global journey.

“Craftsmanship is not just a tradition that must be preserved, but a living art form,” says executive producer Gina Vargas. “Each piece tells the story of its creator and an entire community. We want the world to see them not only as artisans, but as ancestral artists on par with any contemporary creator. Indigenous people and artists merge in one place to create something powerful.”

For his part, director Jhony Cubides adds: “Behind each handcrafted piece, I discovered more than just a technique: a way of being in the world. They have no doubt about who they are; they carry their history in their veins and their identity in their hands. While we search for answers, they weave certainties. If these voices are silenced, humanity loses a part of itself.”

Source