Now on its 16th edition, the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM), taking place July 14-18 in Colombia’s capital, promises a program of over 245 activities and special events, aimed at fostering a creative exchange in music, animation, AI, documentaries, literature, film and TV.
Organized by promotional entity Proimágenes Colombia, led by Claudia Triana, and the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce – with support from the Film Development Fund – BAM also opens a space for critical discussions on AI’s ethical, legal and creative impact across the industry.
In the panel Editing on Stage, Jorge Caballero, Fabián Caba (Adobe Inc.) and Camilo Restrepo will demonstrate how AI is reshaping audiovisual editing.
Aligned with this year’s tech focus, BAM also hosts a timely conversation on intellectual property in digital spaces. The talk It’s Not Magic, It’s Strategy will explore how to turn creative ideas into sustainable businesses, combining legal and industry insights.
Meanwhile, BAM bridges the gap between influencers and audiovisual creators. In Fame Isn’t Relevance, Cifras y Conceptos will present a new certification for content creators, while companies like Goldfish discuss purpose-driven influencer marketing rooted in creativity and authenticity.
BAM and the Cinemateca de Bogotá will also present a retrospective of Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel (“La Cienaga,” “Zama”), showcasing her filmography with special guests including Santiago Gallelli, Julieta Laso and Paula Astorga.
“We’ve organized a series of 12 sessions called BAM Talks featuring inspirational conversations that aim to bring the public closer to the audiovisual world in different ways – not necessarily from a technical or strictly industry-focused perspective, but also through inspiration and connections with other art forms,” said BAM director Carlos Eduardo Moreno, adding that Martel is among the main speakers. Also enhancing its international focus are talks by exiled Iranian animation artist Sepideh Farsi and Chinese documentarian Wang Bing.
Another standout BAM Talk features acclaimed author Laura Restrepo, whose Netflix series adaptation of her work “Delirium” (“Delirio”) premieres its pilot during BAM before it drops on July 18. She is joined by lead actress Estefanía Piñeres, screenwriter Verónica Triana and director Julio Jorquera to discuss its adaptation.
Through the Otros Ojos program, in partnership with the French Embassy, BAM highlights Andean animation and film education for youth. Key voices include Arnaud Miquel, Bérèngere Le Gall (ECV Animation), Thomas Meseguer (Gobelins), Soizic Mouton (Pivaut), Verónica Buide (MIA / Pulpa Rights), and Jairo Arcos (Signos Studio). The initiative promotes diverse storytelling and lays groundwork for future regional collaborations.
Said Moreno: “For several years now, BAM has organized the Ethnic Program, which is focused on Indigenous creators as well as Black, Afro-Colombian, Raizal and Palenquero communities. This program aims, I believe, to understand the agendas, needs and production methods of Afro and Indigenous creators in Colombia. It has been incredibly inspiring, as we increasingly see greater participation from different Indigenous groups and Black communities across the country.”
“More importantly, I think, we’ve been able to invite international guests who share an interest in identifying these voices, getting to know them, and working alongside them. This has been a key initiative for the market to acknowledge and invest in the diversity present across the country’s territories,” he added, pointing out proudly that Colombian Indigenous filmmaker Iratu Dojura won an Honorable Mention at the Berlinale this year with her stop motion animated short, “Akababuru: Expression of Astonishment.”
“Colombia already has several animation companies – in Bogotá alone, we’ve inventoried about 23 firms with experience. They’ve each released at least three productions and are providing international services,” said Triana, who added: “Currently, there are two animated films in co-production with Spain that are set to be ready next year. I believe by then we’ll have at least three feature-length animated films completed.”
According to Moreno, for the first time this year, BAM will be hosting projects in development from Ecuador, Brazil and Spain that seek not only co-productions with Colombia but with Latin America as a whole.
“There’s a genuine interest at BAM in strengthening Latin American co-productions to create more solid projects that can then aim for partnerships with Europe, Canada or the U.S.,” said Moreno who is expecting around 200 to 250 international guests from different parts of the world – mostly from Latin America.
“We also believe that by encouraging Latin American co-productions, these films will have greater chances of circulating within the region – something that remains a challenge. Unlike music or books, for example, which do tend to circulate well across Latin America, films often do not. So, we see regional co-productions as a way to change that and reach this goal,” he added.
BAM takes place as the Colombian audiovisual industry and allure as a location has grown rapidly to become the envy of its rivals in Latin America. Many producers from the region have griped about losing work to the country, which offers two kinds of tax incentives: the Fondo Fílmico Colombia (FFC) and the Certificado de Inversión Audiovisual en Colombia (CINA). The FFC provides a cash rebate equivalent to 40% of audiovisual service expenses and 20% of logistical expenses such as lodging, food, and transportation. CINA offers a transferable tax credit equivalent to 35% of expenses for foreign productions, including films, series, music videos and video games.
Last year was slow because of the twin strikes in Hollywood among other factors, said Colombian film commissioner Silvia Echeverri. “We only committed about 50% of the available resources. But this year, things have picked up significantly, and we’re really pleased with that,” she said, citing a glut of series, reality shows, films and video game projects underway.
“Since CINA was created in 2020 – technically the end of 2020 – five years have passed,” said Triana. “Over these five years, the system has proven highly successful. It’s not just about being granted a transferable tax credit; it’s that the credit is actually traded in the national market and sold at nearly full value—between 98% and 100% of its worth,” she noted, adding: “This makes it a reliable incentive, especially since it’s issued through the Colombian Stock Exchange, adding trust and consistency to the process.”
Said Moreno: “At BAM, we aim to create a market that sparks reflection on filmmaking in Latin America. Given the region’s ongoing challenges with traditional North American and European financing models, we see a strong need – and opportunity – for greater regional collaboration. Our vision is to build a Latin American alliance, similar to the European Union, that fosters alternative financing, distribution, and co-production strategies. Latin America is not just our focus – it’s the path forward for BAM, one we’re committed to exploring and strengthening.”