Ojoloco Festival of Iberian and Latin American Cinema

Ojoloco: An Open Window to Iberian and Latin American Cinematographies

Since 2013, the Ojoloco Festival has established itself as the unmissable event for Iberian and Latin American cinema in the Grenoble metropolitan area. Born from a student initiative at the Institut d'Études Politiques de Grenoble, the festival is driven by the association Fa Sol Latino, formed from the merger with the association “Diálogos con América Latina”. Its ambition: to showcase the history, culture, and current events of the Hispanic and Lusophone world through the seventh art, with a focus on contemporary creations, debut films, and young directors.

A Dense and Demanding Program

Each year, the festival presents over 40 feature films of fiction and documentary, as well as a selection of short films, representing about twenty countries from Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. The program is structured around three official competitions:

• Fiction Competition: A selection of feature fiction films highlighting the diversity and vitality of contemporary Hispanic and Lusophone cinema.
• Documentary Competition: Documentary works that explore the social, political, and cultural realities of the Iberian and Latin American world.
• Short Film Competition: A showcase for short formats, both fiction and documentary, offering a panorama of emerging cinematic talent.

After the screenings, the audience is invited to vote to award the Audience Awards in each category, making the spectator an integral part of the festival.

Events and Encounters Around Cinema

Beyond the screenings, the festival offers a rich program of events and encounters. The Encuentro Loco, true popular university sessions, allow for deeper exploration of political and cinematic topics in the presence of guests and specialists. Masterclasses with film professionals, photographic exhibitions, and cinema-debates complete the program.

The festival also extends beyond its main venues with the Ciné-Mardis (Cinema Tuesdays) and the Ciné-Caravane, which bring Iberian and Latin American cinema throughout the Grenoble region, reaching new audiences.

The "Nuit Blanche": A Cult Event

A highlight of the festival, the Nuit Blanche (White Night) at Cinéma Juliet Berto has become an unmissable event. From 7 PM until dawn, film enthusiasts immerse themselves in a thematic program mixing heritage classics, genre films, and short films, in a friendly and festive atmosphere. Food and drinks are available in the cinema courtyard to accompany this marathon evening.

Strong University and Associative Roots

Originating from the Grenoble student scene, the festival maintains close ties with Grenoble's universities. The Fa Sol Latino association organizes traveling screenings, exhibitions, and cultural events throughout the year, extending the festival's spirit beyond its two-week March run.