In 1988, at the time of the first Iberoamerican Theater Festival in Bogotá, thousands of artists, theater directors, set designers, actors, make-up artists and producers from twenty one countries and three continents visited Colombia, most of them for the first time.  They agreed to come because they were curious about the country.  They wanted to see with their own eyes what was happening in Colombia, what was really going on there.  The surprise was overwhelming.  Many of these artists had planned four or five day visits, the time needed to present their work before returning to their countries of origin. But once in Bogotá, after getting to know the city and its people, after witnessing in person the country we Colombians are so proud of, after getting a taste of the sensitivity, talent, kindness and courtesy, not to mention the intelligent and joyful spirit always ready for a challenge, they decided to stay a while longer.

This story has happened over and over again in the past twenty years, not just during the Iberoamerican Theater Festival, soon to be in its 11th edition, but also during the cultural events that take place every year in Colombia, when culture-lovers from around the world meet in our country. Numerous film directors, directors of commercials, television producers, photographers, art directors, actors and actresses from countries around the world come to Colombia to develop their projects and are quickly enchanted by the country’s overwhelming cultural and natural diversity. Colombia deserves a long look in order to visit its various regions and experience, its countless local and foreign influences, its many contrasts, the charm of its rural areas and the power of its cities.

Colombia is currently one of Latin America’s leading cultural epicenters, especially with regard to audiovisual production.  Our television productions are sold to and broadcast in over eighty countries.  Large production companies like Fox have formed alliances and begun to operate in Bogotá, producing several television series, and in 2009 Sony and Disney will produce television series in Colombia for the international market.  Every year around thirty international commercial spots for major brands are filmed and in the last decade a number of international films were produced in the country.  We are privileged to possess such natural scenery and we want to help our country become the Latin American leader in international productions.

And so I invite you to get to know the real Colombia – its ability, creative power, kindness, quality and diversity --, the right mix of fundamental ingredients for developing your projects.

Welcome!  We hope to work with you soon and show you the best of a diverse and fascinating country.