‘Orillas’ Film Connects African Roots to Latin American Diaspora

Filmmakers from Colombia and Ecuador traveled to Kenya and Ghana to begin production on ‘Orillas’, a panafricanist film aiming to reshape narratives about people of African descent in ‘Améfrica Ladina’, a term coined by Brazilian intellectual Lélia González. The project originated from conversations with African friends who noted striking similarities between communities in Colombia and Ecuador's Esmeraldas region and those in countries like Nigeria.

The filmmakers sought to counter negative stereotypes and demonstrate a present-day connection between the diaspora and the African continent, filming in seven local languages and collaborating closely with local artists and communities. They encountered both unexpected modernity and persistent inequalities during their travels, intending to capture a nuanced portrait of life for Black people globally. Currently self-funded through social media donations, the team is applying for grants to complete production, including filming in Colombia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, hoping to create a commercially viable documentary that celebrates African diasporic culture and contributes to liberation.