“Here We Are”, production of Minervas Films nominated for the La Silla Awards 2025

Santo Domingo. – Here We Are, the Dominican documentary about citizen participation and social activism, is nominated in the “Best Documentary” category of the La Silla Awards 2025, awards given by the Dominican Association of Film Industry Professionals (ADOCINE) who recognize the work and effort of the local film industry. The production was made possible thanks to the support of the Film and Communication Schools of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) along with Estudios Quitasueños. The nomination recognizes the cinematographic and social relevance of the project and adds to an outstanding career. Aquí Estamos was selected in the 5th edition of the Human Rights and Film Festival of Vieques (Puerto Rico), Kitale Film Festival (Kenya, Africa) and at the Dominican Film Festival in New York, points out Alexandra Santana Padilla, creative producer.

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The documentary portrays the journey of five activists who decide to get involved in Dominican electoral politics, building citizen campaigns that break with the traditional models of clientelism and waste. “It is a testament to the strength of activism and participation,” explains Violeta Lockhart Guerrero, director and screenwriter. For Virginia Antares, co-writer, Here We Are “delves into the intersections between politics and community participation, shedding light on the importance of active citizenship in shaping public discourse.” A Minervas Films movie, Aquí Estamos, stands out as the first Dominican feature film to integrate sustainable practices during its production, setting a technical and ethical precedent in the local industry. As a documentary project, it obtained the Film Promotion Fund (FONPROCINE) in 2020 (development) and 2022 (post-production), participated in the Ibermedia international workshop “The Film Projects of Atitlán” and was selected to represent the Dominican Republic at the Marché du Film of the Cannes Film Festival 2021. About Minervas Films Minervas Films is a women-led collective specializing in narratives of social justice, human rights, and sustainability. Founded in 2020, it has obtained national and international funding and represented the country in prestigious markets such as Cannes and Locarno. Your mission is to transform stories into tools for dialogue and social change, integrating critical analysis and sustainable practices.