Colombian Animator María Cristina Pérez Explores Sisterhood and Vulnerability in Annecy Contender ‘Once in a Body’
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival has long served as a vital global launchpad for innovative cinema, and this year’s Perspectives sidebar highlights one of Latin America's most compelling rising voices. Colombian animator María Cristina Pérez presented her fourth short film, Once in a Body (Una vez en un Cuerpo), a deeply personal, experimental work that explores the delicate complexities of human connection. Rooted in real-world experiences, the film blends tactile, evocative animation with a narrative that transcends traditional boundaries of fiction, securing Pérez’s reputation as a key figure in Colombia’s contemporary animation movement.
At its core, Once in a Body is an exploration of intimacy, physical vulnerability, and shared history, dedicated warmly by the director to her sister. Pérez’s filmography has consistently prioritized the quiet, often overlooked moments of human interaction, and this latest work serves as a culmination of that artistic pursuit. The story portrayed in the film is born from real emotions and shared memories, illustrating how deeply personal history can be reframed through the liberating lens of experimental animation. By translating real-world sibling dynamics into a surreal, highly visual language, the short captures the raw essence of empathy and familial bonds.
The inclusion of Once in a Body in Annecy’s Perspectives program—a category celebrated for its unique stylistic approaches and distinct cultural viewpoints—reflects a broader, highly successful trend of Latin American storytellers gaining international prominence. Over the last decade, Colombian animation has transitioned from commercial production toward auteur-driven, experimental narratives that tackle memory, identity, and personal relationships. Pérez’s work stands out for its hand-crafted aesthetic and emotional resonance, characteristics that have helped Colombian independent animation carve out a distinct niche on the global festival circuit. By utilizing stylized, textural visual metaphors, she invites the audience to experience the physical weight of her characters' emotional journeys.
As Once in a Body continues its festival run, it cements María Cristina Pérez’s trajectory as a visionary director capable of turning highly localized, personal stories into universal truths. By balancing the specificities of her own upbringing with a universal language of touch and empathy, Pérez proves that the most intimate stories often yield the most profound global connections.