Lima Film Festival

The Lima Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to Latin American film, held each August in Lima, Peru. Organized by the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, it draws filmmakers and audiences for screenings, awards, and cultural activities.

• Held every August in Lima, Peru
• Focuses on Latin American films in fiction and documentary
• Trophy Spondylus is the festival’s main award
• Organized by the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
• Includes master classes and art exhibitions

What it is

Every year, Lima becomes a gathering place for filmmakers, actors, and film lovers from across Latin America. The Lima Film Festival presents a rich program of films, including both fiction and documentaries, all with a Latin American focus. Beyond celebrating new movies, the festival provides a platform for Peruvian filmmakers and highlights the region’s creative talent. With its mix of screenings, tributes, and industry events, the festival is a major highlight of the city’s cultural calendar and an important showcase for cinema in the region.

Where it comes from

The festival began in 1997, originally known as Festival Elcine. It was created by the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru to foster Latin American cinema and provide a space for filmmakers to connect and share their work. Over the years, the event’s influence has grown, drawing wider attention in the film world and expanding its venues throughout Lima. In 2007, the festival adopted its current name, reflecting its mission as a meeting point for the region’s cinema.

How it is celebrated

Screenings are held at the PUCP Cultural Center in San Isidro, along with other cinemas and cultural spaces around Lima. The festival’s official competition features two main categories—Fiction and Documentary—with all entries coming from Latin America. Awards such as the Trophy Spondylus, inspired by a shell used in ancient Peruvian art, honor achievements in areas like best picture, screenplay, acting, and cinematography. Alongside film showings, visitors can attend master classes, lectures, tributes, and art exhibitions, offering a full immersion in the world of Latin American film.

Joining in

If you visit Lima during the festival, expect a lively atmosphere at the PUCP Cultural Center and partner venues. Tickets are available to the public for screenings and special events, so you can watch new films, participate in discussions, and experience the excitement of premieres and awards. The festival is welcoming to international guests and offers a unique chance to explore Peruvian and Latin American cinema up close.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Lima Film Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Lima Film Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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