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
Directed by student filmmakers, Michael Salama from Princeton University (USA) and Gastón Zilberman, Torcuato Di Tella University (Argentina), and produced in close collaboration with the Uru communities of Lake Poopó, Bolivia, 100% of funds raised will be used for the film's impact campaign. This includes fostering institutional partnerships to bring food-security infrastructure to the communities, educational screenings, and submission to the 2026 Academy Awards to broaden the reach of the film globally.
Awards:
DOC NYC Grand Jury Prize, Shorts Competition (2024)
Santiago Wild Media Awards: Planet in Crisis (2025)
NaturVision Short Film Award (2024)
Festival de Cine Latinoamericano Rosario: Best Documentary Short
Emberlight Film Festival: Best Documentary Short
Official Selection:
DOC NYC Short List 2025
DOC NYC Main Slate 2024
Hamptons International Film Festival
Jackson Wild Media Awards: Planet in Crisis
Jackson Wild Media Awards: Impact Campaign
Santiago Wild Media Awards (Chile)
Indy Shorts International Film Festival
DocEdge (New Zealand)
Red Nation Film Festival
Hawaii International Film Festival
St. Louis International Film Festival
Galway Film Fleadh
Climate Film Festival (NYC)
Patagonia Eco Film Festival (Argentina)
NaturVision Film Festival (Germany)
FICDH (International Human Rights Film Festival, Argentina)
ACT Human Rights Film Festival (Colorado)
New York Latino Film Festival
San Diego Latino Film Festival
Princeton Environmental Film Festival
Emberlight Festival
Hamilton Film Festival (Canada)
Oakville Festival of Film and Arts (Canada)
Anyone who donates to our campaign may opt to have their name appear in the film's credits. Donation and credit tiers are listed below:
| Tier Name | Donation Amount | Credit in Film (Optional) |
| Friend of the Film |
$1+ | "Special Thanks" |
| Community Ally | $500+ | "Impact Support" |
| Story Builder | $1,000+ | "Impact Partner" |
| Production Partner | $5,000+ * | "Production Partner" |
| Associate Producer | $10,000+ | "Associate Producer" |
| Executive Producer | $50,000+ | "Executive Producer" |
*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.