Skip to main content

Interview with Jimmy Piaguaje: Cinema as a Tool of Resistance

Jimmy Piaguaje, an Indigenous filmmaker from the Siekopai nation in Ecuador, has emerged as a powerful voice in the field of Indigenous cinema, using the camera as a means to spotlight his community’s struggles to preserve their territories and culture. In this interview, we explore his journey, his recent projects, and how his participation in the training programs of If Not Us Then Who? has been pivotal in his professional development.

Indigenous cinema in Ecuador has been a key tool for defending the territorial and cultural rights of Indigenous Peoples, shedding light on their struggles for sacred lands, historical memory, and resistance against dispossession and exploitation. From their worldview, Indigenous filmmakers have amplified the voices of silenced communities, recovering oral histories that convey ancestral knowledge and values. This cinema not only preserves cultural identity but also raises social awareness, denouncing environmental destruction and promoting a fair and sustainable development model that respects biodiversity and ancestral wisdom. Born from the territory, it offers an authentic narrative that invites reflection on our relationship with nature and respect for the earth.

Read the full interview by Yurshell Rodriguez, Coordinator of the Residency Program.

Cinema as the Voice of Indigenous Peoples

Yurshell: Jimmy, how did you start in the world of filmmaking, and what inspired you to use it as a tool of resistance?

Jimmy Piaguaje: From a very young age, I felt the need to tell the stories of my community. The Siekopai nation has faced a constant struggle to defend its territories, and cinema allowed me to give voice to those struggles. I started with short films and documentaries that narrated our stories and our resistance against the threats of extractive industries. For us, cinema is not just a form of art; it’s a powerful tool to protect our identity and territory.

The Impact of the If Not Us Then Who? Residency

Yurshell: How has the If Not Us Then Who?’s Mentorship and Residency Program influenced your career as a filmmaker?

Jimmy Piaguaje: The Residency was a turning point in my career. It not only provided me with the technical and narrative tools necessary to refine my craft but also connected me with a network of filmmakers and mentors who share my vision. During the Residency, I worked on my project “The Return of the Black Jaguar (Neayai Kooiye)”, which was selected to be showcased at Berlinale 2025 with the support of the Indigenous Cinema Alliance. Platforms like these are essential for bringing our stories to a global audience, showcasing the richness of our cultures and the challenges we face.

Neayai Kooiye

The Return of the Black Jaguar follows Katë, who, disillusioned by his father’s abandonment of tradition, flees to the city. Facing urban dangers, a call from his mother leads him home. Guided by a shaman, Katë rediscovers his heritage, inspiring personal and communal transformation.

ECUADOR | EARLY 2026 | DRAMA | SIEKOPAI
Director: Jimmy Piaguaje (Siekopai)
Producer: Jimmy Piaguaje, Kumiko Hayashi

INUTW and the Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) are proud to announce their growing partnership, highlighting the 2025 ICA Fellowship line-up, new ICA members, and a stellar project roster at the European Film Market (EFM) and Berlinale 2025.

The Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) is a global network dedicated to promoting Indigenous cinema worldwide. Established in 2015 as the NATIVe Indigenous Cinema Stand, ICA provides market access for Indigenous filmmakers, connecting them with industry professionals. As an official European Film Market (EFM) partner, ICA is managed by imagineNATIVE and collaborates with key Indigenous film organizations, including ISFI, 4th World Media Lab, Film.GL, Pacific Islanders in Communications, If Not Us Then Who?, MULLU TV, PISA, and Winda Film Festival.

2025 ICA Fellowship Line-Up

The ICA Fellowship continues to elevate emerging Indigenous filmmakers globally. Among the ten selected fellows is Jimmy Piaguaje who will join the Fiction Toolbox Programme, advancing his fictional drama Neayai Kooiye: The Return of the Black Jaguar, which delves into Siekopai traditions and modern challenges. Jimmy’s selection highlights the importance of initiatives that create inclusive pathways into the industry. The fellows will present six fiction and four documentary projects (two completed, eight in development) at EFM 2025, showcasing the diversity and depth of Indigenous storytelling.

EFM Toolbox Programme & INUTW Representation

The EFM Toolbox Programme, a core Diversity & Inclusion initiative of the European Film Market, equips underrepresented filmmakers with critical industry skills and access to sustainable business connections.

This initiative, along with the EFM Market Badge Inclusion, offers essential access to industry events, enabling projects to secure global distribution and co-production opportunities.


Participation in Berlinale and New Opportunities

Yurshell: Congratulations on your participation in Berlinale 2025. What does this opportunity mean for you and your community?

Jimmy Piaguaje: Participating in Berlinale is a dream come true. It’s an opportunity to showcase the talent within our communities and to have the world hear our voices. I hope this achievement inspires other Indigenous youth to explore cinema as a tool of resistance and cultural preservation.

The Future of Indigenous Cinema

Yurshell: What is your vision for the future of Indigenous cinema in Ecuador and Latin America?

Jimmy Piaguaje: My vision is for Indigenous cinema to continue growing and establish itself as a powerful alternative narrative. We need more spaces where our stories can be told from our perspective, challenging dominant narratives. Indigenous cinema not only preserves our culture but also educates the world on the importance of protecting territories and biodiversity. I firmly believe that cinema can drive real and sustainable change.

About the Residency Program

The Residency Program for Emerging Narratives from Indigenous and Afro-descendant Communities in Latin America is an exciting new initiative launched by INUTW in 2023 with the support of the Tenure Facility. It creates a bridge, through storytelling, between content creators focused on Indigenous and Afro-descendant Communities in Latin America and decision-makers (including the donor community) who can influence action to support their tenure rights. It offers a valuable next step for eight filmmakers and photographers at a more advanced professional stage to further enhance their artistic expression and storytelling.

“This is a residency aimed at emerging filmmakers from Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, with the goal of telling stories from the Spanish-speaking countries of Abya Yala. – David Hernandez Palmar

“Together in this program, we amplify voices that deserve to be heard and drive the change we want to see, and I’m proud to be a part of this transformative initiative at INUTW.” Yurshell Rodríguez I Coordinator of the Residency Program

Like many of our brothers and sisters, Jimmy recognizes that cinema can be a medium of resistance and cultural preservation. His participation in the If Not Us Then Who? Residency and his recent inclusion in Berlinale 2025 are a testament to his talent and dedication. As he continues to bring the stories of the Siekopai nation to the world, he invites us to reflect on our relationship with the earth and the importance of protecting the voices that arise from it.