Viviana García Besné is a filmmaker, archivist, and activist for the preservation of popular cinema. Her first project, the documentary Perdida, premiered in the official selection of the Telluride Film Festival and received several awards during its time at festivals. Her other films include Behind the Scenes: La llorona, on the Mexican cult classic; and Looking for El Santo, on the surreal story of Mexican wrestler El Santo‘s debut on the big screen during the Cuban Revolution.

Available for Q&As, Masterclasses, and workshops upon request, in English or Spanish.
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Viviana is the founder of Permanencia Voluntaria Archivo Cinematográfico, the only independent archive in Mexico that specializes in popular cinema and the study of audiences. From 2017 to date, Permanencia Voluntaria has partnered with prestigious institutions such as the UCLA Film and Television Archive, The Film Foundation, the Cinema Preservation Alliance, The Academy Film Archive, the University of Guadalajara, and the UNAM Film Library, as well as with figures such as Nicolas Winding Refn and Tim Burton to carry out seven impeccable restorations. The challenges of these restorations have been many, since they had to work with elements as varied as original camera nitrates, original camera negatives, internegatives, and unique 16mm positives, making each restoration a huge learning experience.

The Archive contains Mexican cult classics such as Santo vs. The Evil Brain, La llorona, and The Bat Woman, among many others.