Key Highlights from BAM 2026
The 17th edition of the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM) concluded on July 10, 2026, with record attendance and a flurry of industry announcements. The event drew 2,336 accredited participants, 271 industry activities, and 882 one-on-one business meetings, underscoring Colombia's rising prominence in global audiovisual production.
Massive Soundstage Opens: TIS Studios' Stage 7
During BAM, TIS Studios unveiled Stage 7, a new 18,300-square-foot soundstage measuring 40 feet in height. It is Colombia's largest soundstage and one of the biggest in Latin America, designed to host large-scale international film and TV productions. Samuel Duque, president of TIS Studios, stated that the facility, combined with Colombia's production incentives, offers global producers a compelling reason to bring ambitious projects to the country. TIS Studios has a track record of working with major platforms including Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Paramount, CBS Studios, MTV, Fox Television Studios, Nickelodeon, NBCUniversal, and Telemundo.
VFX Studios Folks and Loma Expand
Folks Bogotá, led by Andrea Espinal, has attracted international projects with competitive rates, servicing Netflix's 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' Taylor Sheridan's '1883' and 'Lioness,' and AppleTV's 'The Morning Show,' among others. Loma, a family-owned rental equipment company turned VFX studio, has expanded into virtual production with a 200-square-meter studio using Unreal Engine and LED volumes. Their clients include Netflix's 'The Hijacking of Flight 601' and SPT's 'Hasta que amanezca.'
'Rookies' Sweeps Project Prizes
José Luis Rugeles and Ana María Tarazona of Rhayuela won five awards for their TV series project 'Rookies' ('Oficina de Detectives'). In the documentary category, 'La Sombra de Yolüja' by Hanz Rippe Gabriel and Fernanda Pineda and 'De la Villa' by Mónica Taboada and Beto Rosero split the prizes. Agamenón Quintero's 'De naranjas y otros demonios' won the most awards in the fiction feature section. BAM awarded 70 in-kind prizes across multiple categories.
Industry Insights: Sustainability Challenges
A study presented at BAM highlighted that while Colombia's Film Law 814 has spurred production—548 feature films released between 2015 and 2025—only 25% of production houses return for a second project. The report proposes 12 strategies to build sustainable film businesses, including expanding funding tools and improving distribution. Producer-director Cristina Gallego emphasized the need for an integrated approach to film policy.
Venezuelan Filmmaker Mariana Rondón's Talk
Filmmaker Mariana Rondón discussed her journey from 'Bad Hair' to 'It Would Be Night in Caracas,' which recreated Caracas in Mexico with displaced Venezuelans. She highlighted the emotional power of images and the challenge of identity in cinema.
FAQ
What is the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM)?
BAM is an annual event organized by Proimágenes Colombia and the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, connecting audiovisual projects with international partners and showcasing Colombia's film and TV industry.
What major infrastructure was announced at BAM 2026?
TIS Studios opened Stage 7, an 18,300-square-foot soundstage, the largest in Colombia and one of the biggest in Latin America, designed for large-scale international productions.
Which project won the most awards at BAM 2026?
The TV series project 'Rookies' ('Oficina de Detectives') by José Luis Rugeles and Ana María Tarazona won five awards.
How is Colombia's film industry growing?
Colombia released 548 feature films between 2015 and 2025, driven by tax incentives and the Film Development Fund, attracting $160 million in private investment. However, sustainability remains a challenge.