Juan Carvajal

Juan Carvajal is an acclaimed Colombian-American filmmaker and curator who has dedicated his career to bridging the cultural gap between Latin American cinema and global audiences. After establishing himself as a premier film programmer, Carvajal transitioned to directing with his debut feature documentary, La Salsa Vive (2025), which traces the rhythmic heritage connecting New York City to Cali, Colombia. The film garnered critical acclaim on the festival circuit, including a world premiere at SXSW and winning Best Documentary at the Macondo Awards. His work is characterized by a deep commitment to musical history and the preservation of the Afro-Latino diaspora’s cultural identity.

Available for Q&As, Masterclasses, and workshops upon request, in English or Spanish.
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Before his directorial success, Carvajal became a cornerstone of the independent film community as the founder and Artistic Director of the Colombian Film Festival in New York (ColFilmNY) and the co-founder of IndieBo (Bogotá Independent Film Festival). His leadership has been instrumental in creating platforms for emerging South American voices to reach North American screens. Currently, he is in development on his next project, Petronio, a documentary exploration of the music and resilience of the Colombian Pacific region, further cementing his reputation as a vital storyteller of the Latin American experience.