Chilean Directors

Below are some of the best Chilean directors ever. Click on their pictures to discover more about them.

A Brief History of Chilean Cinema

Chilean cinema began in the early 20th century, with its first feature film appearing in 1910, although the first film screening was in 1902. The silent film era included notable works such as “El Húsar de la Muerte”, but by the late 1940s and 1950s, the industry struggled despite some successes. A revival occurred in the 1960s with the “New Chilean Cinema”, which produced films like “Three Sad Tigers.” However, the 1973 military coup led to a decline in production and many filmmakers working in exile. It wasn’t until after the end of the Pinochet regime in 1989 that Chilean cinema began to see more frequent critical and commercial successes with films like “Johnny Cien Pesos” and “Machuca”.

The origins of Chilean cinema can be traced back to 1895 when entrepreneur Francisco de Paola introduced the Kinetoscope in Santiago. The Cinématographe reels were shown the following year, and local photographers like Luis Oddó Osorio began creating short films. By 1900, other foreign films were being exhibited in Santiago, although the initial excitement soon waned due to a lack of new content.

In recent years, Chilean cinema has gained international acclaim, with “No” being the first Chilean film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and “A Fantastic Woman” winning it. This recognition at international film festivals marks a significant milestone for the industry, reflecting its growth and the global impact of its filmmakers.