For the third year in a row, the Cartagena International Film Festival will include a tribute to the past in its official image. This year, we're bringing back the India Catalina, chosen in 1960 as the symbol of the Festival by its founder, Víctor Nieto. The statuette, which is awarded to the winning films, was designed by artist Héctor Lombana. In 1974 Spanish sculptor Eladio Gil designed the monument that has since become an emblem of this city, inspired by the Festival statuette.
The India Catalina is a controversial historical figure that has been scorned for her role as translator and cultural mediator at the time of the Spanish conquest. This year FICCI wishes to revive this memory that belongs not only to the city but to the Festival as well. The style and graphics put a spin on the image that allows us to see and feel the historic weight of the India Catalina who appears, imposing, beneath a bough of bijao leaves. With this traditional plant we immerse ourselves in the environment of the Caribbean, a region which, like this contradictory and fearless woman, symbolizes the mestizo nature of our nation and our continent.
For the past 57 years the India Catalina has accompanied us while we honor the achievements of world cinema, and for the past 33 years the best of Colombian television has been recognized by the awards that carry her name. With this poster FICCI brings us closer to her, invites us to make her ours and to allow ourselves to be touched by her presence.