Giacomo Porra
Filmmaker | Photographer
Filmmaking
NOCTURNOS / A SHORT DOCUMENTARY
A week in the cold cloud forest in San Antonio de Tequendama, Cundinamarca, near the famous Colombian waterfall. There, every night, Martin and Sebas - students, volunteers of the monitoring program - stayed up to look for and monitor the endangered Andean night monkey, Aotus lemurinus. Observing the behavior of the group - composed of Maní and Mela with their calf, Morita -, noting coordinates and climbing the steep, wet trails. During the day, phenology walks and opening trails, to facilitate the work at night.
MARIMONDA, THE LAST SPIDER MONKEYS / TEASER
The Ciénaga Marimonda earned its name years ago when it was home to large populations of marimonda, or spider monkeys (Ateles fusciceps). Deforestation, grazing and hunting have almost wiped out the species. Don William is a key figure in the conservation project that Neotropical Primate Conservation built on this community. For months, we has been closely observing the monkeys' behaviour and group dynamics. The idea is to create a responsible and sustainable ecotourism project that not only protects the four primate species in the area but also brings economic benefits to the local community.
VENADO VERDE / FROM A PARADISE TO A WASTELAND
A community-based project, near Colombia's pacific coast, saved a paradise from becoming a landfill. Venado Verde - located in the Chocó biogeográfico, one of the world's richest places in biodiversity - is now a natural reserve and an eco tourism destination.
Photography
SEQUÍA
The Amazon Basin is experiencing its driest period in recent history. In the Napo River, one of the Amazon's largest tributaries, vast stretches of sand are emerging due to the alarmingly low water levels. Sand storms are common every time the wind rises. Large oil tankers, unable to navigate the shallow waters, are forced to wait along the riverbank for the next rainfall. Lagoons are drying up rapidly: fish and animals, including the pink dolphin and the giant arapaima get trapped. The stagnant water heats up under the tropical sun, becoming fatal for the animals involved. The drought is affecting the whole country: the hidroelectric power plant don´t work, the cities are lying in the darkness.
HANDS OF THE SOUTH
Hand-picked coffee, handmade panela, hand-selected beans, hand-carried bananas, hand-woven sombreros, and hand-intertwined ritual leaves: in the rural south of Colombia, between the departments of Nariño and Putumayo, hands still play a vital role. These products reflect the rich mix of Indigenous and Spanish cultures, with the influence of neighboring Ecuador. However, artists often sell their goods at low prices to buyers who then mark them up significantly in commercial marketplaces, robbing them of the profits they deserve. Globalization has exacerbated this issue. Artisanal products sold at low prices outside their region struggle to compete with mass-produced goods. Here, farmers with centuries of knowledge and hands weathered by hard work sell their products for a pittance, only to see them resold for ten times the price in big-city markets.
These craftspeople and artisans are the custodians of invaluable knowledge. They deserve fair compensation for their work, not just to honor their skills but also to ensure this knowledge is passed down to future generations.
MARIMONDA
The Ciénaga Marimonda gets its name from the spider monkeys (Ateles fusciceps) that were once abundant here. Deforestation, grazing, and hunting have nearly eradicated both the monkeys and the lush forest that was their home. Don William is the heart and soul of the conservation project established by Neotropical Primate Conservation in this community. For months, he's been diligently observing the monkeys' behavior and social dynamics. He remains optimistic about the future.
Through education, strong community involvement, and potentially a well-managed ecotourism project, Don William believes things can change. His goal is to protect this biodiverse haven, ensuring future generations will still hear the calls of spider monkeys echoing through what will remain the aptly named Ciénaga Marimonda.
Don William
BORN ON THE PERIPHERY
On the Pacific Guatemalan coast, between the sea and the mangroves, a family lives. Most of the children contribute to the family's livelihood: fishing, cooking and helping their father on the salt farm. The closest school is an hour's paddle away in the nearest village. They arrive on time, consistently by 8 o'clock. Yet Nicho, a fourteen-year-old boy, doesn't know how to read. This stark difference in the quality of education between urban and rural areas of the country is a major concern. Forgotten by the central state, they are destined to struggle harder than their counterparts simply due to their circumstances: they were born on the periphery,
Read the full story here.
A SONG OF LAUGHTER AND TEARS
A haunting rhythm echoes – dun-dun-dun-pause, dun-dun-dun-pause. Half-drunk young men, adorned in vibrant traditional clothing and sunglasses, weave this constant beat with accordions and drums around the tombs. Their performance isn't free – coins are tossed in exchange for their music. Are they playing for the dead or the living? Perhaps for both.
Men and women with puffy eyes and lost gazes wander the hill of Romerillo in Chiapas, Mexico's southernmost state. Throughout the year, this place serves as the community cemetery. But during the Days of the Dead, it transforms. A sea of orange cempasúchil (the traditional flower) blankets the landscape, and a whirlwind of emotions unfolds with tears, sugarcane spirits, lively dances, bustling markets, and even an amusement park.
THE COLOMBIAN WATER GUARDIAN
Colombia's páramo ecosystem is undeniably the most charismatic. The excitement of high altitude – the páramo begins at 3,500 meters above sea level – combined with the unbelievable landscape creates a scene almost magical. The frailejón (Espeletia sp.) takes center stage, its unique shape, colors, and presence capturing the eye. This plant plays a crucial role in water retention, providing 70% of Colombia's drinking water. It is a fundamental friend that must be protected. The frailejón's circular structure, a mesmerizing pattern resembling a spring of freshwater, embodies its life-giving function. It stands as a symbol of hope, a reminder of the importance of safeguarding this vital ecosystem.
About
Italian freelance filmmaker, photographer and journalist. He worked for years in a communication company in his country: in 2022 he started travelling around Mexico and central America, while doing projects with NGOs, association and organization focused on biodiversity and social themes. Now lives in Bogota, Colombia, and he's developing a project focused on primate conservation.
