Last Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31, the sociocultural and sports group Colectivo Bioenergía, in collaboration with the University of O’Higgins and its Institute of Advanced Audiovisual Studies, organized the third edition of the “Ciclo de Ciclos”, a free film event on the Rancagua campus of said institution. This cycle sought to strengthen community culture, promote sustainable mobility, and provide the community with a cultural alternative during the winter season. Attendees were able to enjoy short films and documentaries focused on bicycles, with master classes and meetings between filmmakers and the public.
Culture and cinema: “Cycle of Cycles” in Rancagua
The regional capital was the setting for this cultural event that combined the seventh art and a passion for bicycles. Last Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31, Colectivo Bioenergía, together with the University of O’Higgins (UOH) and its Institute of Advanced Audiovisual Studies (IEA), organized the “Ciclo de Ciclos”, a film series dedicated to the world of bicycles on the UOH Rancagua campus. The event is free and open to the public and seeks to strengthen community culture in the region, promoting both access to independent cinema and reflection on key issues related to sustainable mobility.
The event featured the screening of four audiovisual works, three of them documentaries, and a short film, which had in common the use of the bicycle as a symbol of sustainability, sport and community. The program began on Friday, August 30 at 4:00 p.m. with the short film “Raíz del Canto,” a work by Loreto Calé Miranda (lo.cale.arte) that shows the route taken by bicycle through the region, from San Fernando to Pichilemu, from a heritage and cultural perspective, accompanied by the music of local artist Nicolás Carreño (@pasosypies), based on a poem by Óscar Castro. This production, which highlights the cultural and natural wealth of the region, was followed by the keynote lecture given by Ricardo Carrasco, director of the IEA of the UOH, entitled “The documentary story, a fiction not at all similar to others,” which shows tools to consider for audiovisual production, at 4:30 p.m. Friday’s session ended with the premiere of the documentary “To the heart of the Alps” at 5:00 p.m., a work by Fernando Aguilera (@biciados), where he captures his experience as a cycle traveler touring the European Alps.
On Saturday, August 31, the program continued at 3:00 p.m. with the screening of the documentary “Territorios en Cleta,” a work by the NGO Territorios a Escala Humana, which highlights the importance of bicycles in the daily lives of communities in northern Chile, highlighting their role as a means of transportation and a tool for social cohesion. At 4:00 p.m., “Somos Caleta” was screened, a documentary directed by Carlos Painequeo (@somoscaleta, @crlsph) who documented the role of cyclists during the social uprising in Chile, a testimony of resistance and social transformation through the bicycle.
An event that fostered dialogue and collaboration.
The “Ciclo de Ciclos” was not limited to the screening of films, but also encouraged dialogue between filmmakers and the community. In conversations and breaks, audiences and filmmakers had the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and establish collaborative networks. This space, essential for strengthening ties between directors and audiences, facilitates mutual learning and cultural enrichment.
Furthermore, the event established a strong collaboration with the UOH and its IEA, not only guaranteeing the quality of the content presented, but also reinforcing the educational institution’s commitment to promoting independent cinema and community culture in the region. The participation of these academic actors was crucial for the development and continuity of the “Ciclo de Ciclos”, ensuring that it continues to grow and evolve in future editions.
Supporting independent filmmakers.
One of the fundamental pillars of this event was the recognition and support for the work of independent filmmakers. In this sense, the project contemplated fair remuneration for directors for the exhibition of their works, a gesture that not only values their creative effort, but also establishes a standard of professionalism within the cultural industry. In addition, travel expenses were covered for presenters who traveled from other communities, ensuring their participation and contribution to the event, reflecting the commitment of the Bioenergy Collective to the creation of a sustainable and dignified cultural environment.
A space for everyone.
This inclusive and accessible event was designed for the entire community, responding to the need to offer cultural alternatives indoors when weather conditions limit outdoor activities. In addition to quality programming and opportunities for interaction, the first 30 punctual attendees of each day received some exquisite popcorn, courtesy of La Tablita de Machalí, enriching the experience.
A project with a future.
The success of the “Ciclo de Ciclos” depends largely on the community’s reception, laying the foundations for future editions. Constanza Valderrama, executive producer of the project tells us: “This is an opportunity to continue growing and in the future to be able to call on different filmmakers who are generating content, and who want to exhibit their works focused on the bicycle, helping Rancagua become a reference for the use of this tool that transforms society, which is the bicycle in all its aspects, from the political to the sporting.”
The Bioenergy Collective, in this alliance, is committed to continuing to develop these types of initiatives that integrate the community, promote creativity and strengthen the social fabric through art. With the collaboration of all its actors, the Cycle of Cycles has the potential to become a cultural reference both locally and nationally.
Finally, this film cycle is part of a series of activities funded by the 2025 Community Culture Points Strengthening Fund, whose objective is to offer the community spaces for meeting and participation through art and culture, making visible the work of independent, local and national filmmakers.
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