Alternativa Film Festival Celebrates Global Cinema in Medellín, Awards Top Honors to 'Runa Simi,' '9-Month Contract,' and 'A Useful Ghost'

The 3rd Alternativa Film Festival concluded in Medellín, Colombia, on April 30th, honoring independent cinema from Latin America and Asia. Presented by tech company inDrive, the festival awarded significant cash prizes to five features and two shorts selected from a pool of 30 films. "Runa Simi" clinched the top Golden Durian prize for its cultural narrative, while "9-Month Contract" and "A Useful Ghost" received Silver and Bronze Durians, respectively. Short films also garnered recognition. Festival head Liza Surganova highlighted inDrive's commitment to democratizing cinema and supporting diverse voices. The festival's itinerant model and substantial financial awards underscore its growing importance in championing emerging filmmakers and fostering international cultural exchange. Its success signals a positive trend in corporate support for the arts and the vital role of independent festivals in showcasing underrepresented cinematic narratives.