Key Highlights
The 17th edition of the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM) concluded on July 10, 2026, with record attendance and significant industry developments. The event saw 2,336 accredited participants, 271 industry activities, and 882 one-on-one business meetings. Concurrently, TIS Studios inaugurated Stage 7, Colombia's largest soundstage, while VFX companies Folks Bogotá and Loma expanded their client rosters.
BAM 2026: Record Attendance and Project Prizes
BAM director Carlos Eduardo Moreno stated, 'BAM once again showed that Colombia has world-class stories to tell and the talent to bring them to global audiences.' The five-day event featured panels, masterclasses, and training sessions, pausing only for Colombia's FIFA World Cup match against Switzerland on July 8.
Seventy in-kind prizes were awarded across categories including Fiction Films, Documentaries, Series, and Animation. The TV series project 'Rookies' ('Oficina de Detectives') by José Luis Rugeles and Ana María Tarazona of Rhayuela won five awards. In documentary features, 'La Sombra de Yolüja' by Hanz Rippe Gabriel and Fernanda Pineda and 'De la Villa' by Mónica Taboada and Beto Rosero split prizes. Agamenón Quintero's 'De naranjas y otros demonios' led the fiction feature section.
TIS Studios Opens Stage 7: Colombia's Largest Soundstage
TIS Studios announced the opening of Stage 7, an 18,300-square-foot soundstage with a 40-foot height, making it Colombia's largest and one of the biggest in Latin America. President Samuel Duque said, 'TIS Studios brings highly trained crews, international production standards, and the protocols to manage large-scale projects... Stage 7 adds to that foundation.' The studio has hosted projects for Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Paramount, CBS Studios, MTV, Fox Television Studios, Nickelodeon, NBCUniversal, and Telemundo.
VFX Studios Folks Bogotá 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,' Rodrigo Prieto's 'Pedro Páramo,' AppleTV's 'The Morning Show,' and 'Boiúna: Legend of the Amazon.' Founded in 2019, Folks evolved from supporting a Montreal team to a full-service VFX studio.
Loma, a family-owned rental equipment company, expanded into virtual production with a 200-square-meter studio using Unreal Engine, camera tracking, and media servers for in-camera VFX and extended reality. COO Francisco Forero noted their work on Netflix's 'The Hijacking of Flight 601,' SPT's 'Hasta que amanezca,' and 'Como perderlo todo' from Dago Prods., as well as BAM's Vaivén installation.
Venezuelan Filmmaker Mariana Rondón at BAM
Venezuelan filmmaker Mariana Rondón discussed her journey from 'Bad Hair' to 'It Would Be Night in Caracas,' produced by Edgar Ramírez. She emphasized the emotional power of images and the challenge of recreating Caracas in Mexico with displaced Venezuelans, where scenes of protests blurred fiction and reality, requiring psychological support for participants.
Colombia's Film Boom and Sustainability Challenges
A study presented at BAM highlighted the impact of Film Law 814, which led to 548 feature films released between 2015 and 2025, compared to roughly two per year before 2003. However, only 25% of production houses returned for a second project, and most companies operate with just two employees. Producer-director Cristina Gallego stressed the need for an integrated approach to film policy, embracing technological change and collaboration across sectors.
FAQ
What is the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM)?
BAM is a key industry event in Latin America that connects audiovisual projects with international partners, featuring panels, masterclasses, and business meetings.
What is Stage 7 at TIS Studios?
Stage 7 is Colombia's largest soundstage, measuring 18,300 square feet and 40 feet high, designed to host large-scale international film and TV 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.