YUYAYMANTA

17:00 - Open Doors
18:00 - Mashicunas traditional dance + screening
19:30-20:00 - Conversation 
20:00-22:00 - Fundraiser with Colada Morada and Bistec de Carne + DJ set 

Followed by a talk with members of MULLU

In collaboration with MULLU and supported by the Indigenous Cinema Alliance
Accompanied by a fundraiser by Ecuaeventos and a performance by Mashicunas

Documentation of social uprising, and the lack thereof, perversely stems from the interests of the few. Normatively, the interests of powerful elites are guarded by silence and by the vague documentation of mass uprisings. Such powerful elites shape an online media universe where they define the notion of peace and eliminate all notions of resistance and oppression. What happens on the streets and in the real world that does not fit into this imaginary, seemingly peaceful paradigm is not deemed newsworthy. These real occurences do not help the influencer’s algorithms and cannot be part of the version of world’s history, (re)written and (re)visioned by the rich and powerful. write.
It’s precisely at this juncture is where the value of a documentary made by large-scale social movements emerges. Collective work that records truthful testimonies with cameras and microphones owned and handled by the protagonists of the events themselves, which also includes archival footage to form a history of humanity that the powerful few will do anything to erase.

YUYAYMANTA is exactly this—a collectively made documentary.In June 2022, Ecuador was shaken by 18 days of massive Indigenous-led uprisings against neoliberal economic reforms. Organized by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), the protests surged across the country demanding dignity, rights, and a halt to state-imposed austerity. The government responded with brutal military and police repression, leaving a trail of deaths, injuries, and families devastated by violence.

Yuyaymanta —meaning “from memory” in Kichwa— brings forth the voices of survivors and the loved ones of those who were killed. Through deeply personal testimonies, raw frontline footage, and archival material, the film reconstructs not only what happened, but how it was felt — the trauma, the courage, and the collective demand for justice.
In this screening, the ICA (Indigenous Cinema Alliance), MULLU TV, and Ecuaeventos join forces and join us for a night to strengthen the bonds of solidarity between migrant communities and Indigenous territories. We seek to reinstate the importance of spreadingi the voices of Indigenous resistance to every corner of the world, as an act of embracing the value of diverse strategies for resistance. The Berlin-based initiative Ecuaventos will host a fundraiser during the event, featuring a special performance from the dance group Mashicunas and the sale of the ceremonious colada morada and homemade bread. This is for the purpose of remembering those who have passed, especially the victims of military and police repression in Ecuador in current and past years. The money gathered will go directly to victims of military violence in Indigenous territories in Ecuador this year.

MULLU is a pan-Abya Yala streaming channel, communications platform, audiovisual school, advocacy organisation and training platform focused on broadcasting, uplifting and supporting the work of Indigenous and Afro-descendent storytellers and artists. 

Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) is Starting as a market stand at the European Film Market (EFM) alongside Berlinale’s NATIVe: A Journey into Indigenous Cinema, the Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) represents a coalition of international Indigenous partners, including film festivals, commissions, and institutes. Our mission is to promote Indigenous cinema globally, create culturally safe spaces for Indigenous professionals, and develop sales channels and secure co-productions for Indigenous titles.

Ecuaeventos is an ecuadorian diaspora initiative founded by Consuelo Benavides and Willy Conterón seeking to promote ecuadorian culture in the public space in Berlin. They are the organizers of the yearly community party "A mi lindo Ecuador".

Mashicunas is a traditional dance group that takes its name from the Kichwa word meaning FRIENDS. Mashicunas was founded in 2009 and is made up of friends who love dance and come from different cities in Ecuador. The goal and interest of Mashicunas is to spread, strengthen, and promote Ecuadorian Indigenous Culture through dance. 

“Our traditions transcend borders. Despite being far from our homeland, we do not lose our identity. For the respect of cultures and against racism.”