The National Audiovisual Institute of Paraguay (INAP) and the Municipality of Villarrica signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen the audiovisual industry and film culture in the department of Guairá. The two-year agreement provides for training, joint projects, and screenings of national and international films in the region.
The signing was led by Mayor Magín Benítez Benítez and INAP Executive Director Christian Gayoso. Also participating were Pedro Paredes, director of the Municipal Theater Troupe and professor at the Municipal School of Dramatic Arts, and Janice Ayala, director of Culture for the Municipality of Villarrica.
During the event, Benítez highlighted that “Villarrica is known as the cradle of art and culture,” emphasizing the importance of creating more cultural spaces for the city. Gayoso stated that the goal is to boost young talent from the interior and position audiovisual media as a tool for economic and social development. “We want audiovisual media to be an opportunity and dignified work for the people. Thus, we seek for Villarrica to be an important engine of audiovisual culture and for Paraguay to also be positioned in international spaces from here,” he declared.
The authorities also announced that they are organizing a Paraguayan film week at the renovated Municipal Theater, with free and open access starting in June. The initiative is part of the process of decentralizing support for Paraguayan cinema, bringing opportunities and tools closer to creators in the country's interior.