A documentary short film officially qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards.
After drought and diversions led to the disappearance of Bolivia's Lake Poopó in 2016, the Uru indigenous communities must face the cultural and economic consequences of what it means to be Qotzuñis, or “People of the Lake,” after their lake ceases to exist.
Qotzuñi: People of the Lake | 2025 | Argentina/Bolivia/USA | 13min
About the film: www.qotzuni.org
For inquiries and screening requests: info@qotzuni.org
LOCAL IMPACT
The project aims to invest $100,000 in on-the-ground initiatives. Impact goals and stages were strategically designed by the Uru community leaders together with local organizations. We have completed 25% of the project and will continue through 2026. Key goals include sustainable economic development, food security, cultural resilience, local activism, and ecological restoration.
COMPLETED STAGES:
Stage 1: School Supplies
Donated school supplies to the Uru Educational Cooperative in Puñaca Tinta María, as well as to children from the most economically vulnerable Uru families.
Stage 2: Family Businesses & Food Security
Provided immediate food assistance and addressed long-termeconomic independence by supporting family businesses: a salt production facility, natural medicine, and local artisans.
Stage 3: Artisan Organization Support & Food Security
Expanded the initiatives of Stage 2 into the remaining Uru communities of Vilañeque and Llapallapani, with a focus on artisanship and immediate food security.
UPCOMING STAGES
Stage 4: Community Gants
Establish grants to fund Uru community members to design and execute local projects relating to food security, ecological protection, language, art, or other proposed initiatives.
Stage 5: Food Security Infrastructure
Construction of greenhouses and raised agricultural beds. Due to soil contamination and lack of arable land, the Uru communities currently cannot meet their food needs with standard agriculture.
Stage 6: Remediation
Arborization of lakebed’s surrounding wetlands for water retention and quality. To be carried out in collaboration with the Uru Uru Team.
GLOBAL IMPACT: Film Screenings
Festival Screenings & Awards:
- DOC NYC 2024 - Grand Jury Prize
- DOC NYC 2025 - Short List
- Jackson Wild 2025 - Finalist & Impact Pitch Grantee
- Red Nation Film Festival 2025 - Edward Albert Award
- Santiago Wild 2025 - Winner (Planet in Crisis)
- Naturvision Film Festival 2024 - Best Short Film
- INKAFEST Mountain Film Festival 2025 - Best Short Film
- Oruro Film Festival 2025 - Best Short Film
- Patagonia Eco Film Festival 2024 - Special Mention
- Official Selections: Hamptons International Film Festival, Indy Shorts, DocEdge, St. Louis International Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Climate Film Festival, New York Latino Film Festival, and many more.
*Contributions $5,000 or higher can be made through a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Please inquire: info@qotzuni.org
Directed by Michael Salama and Gastón Zilberman.
A co-production of Argentina, Bolivia and the United States.
Copyright (c) 2025 Red House Productions, all rights reserved.