Costa Rican Nature Documentary Gains International Recognition
The Costa Rican documentary Ojos Dorados has been chosen to compete at the Santiago Wild Film Festival 2026, one of Latin America’s most significant wildlife and environment film festivals. Directed by Marco Molina and produced by the Zorro Plateado collective with support from Jardín de Lourdes, the film stands out for its compelling visual narrative connecting human stories with Costa Rica’s natural environments.
This selection places the production on an international platform dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and natural heritage cinema. The festival is organized by Ladera Sur with support from international partners like National Geographic and the Jackson Wild Festival, renowned in the nature documentary space.
The Story Behind Ojos Dorados
Ojos Dorados follows the personal journey of Ricardo Hernández Castro, whose life and family heritage are transformed after an encounter with the golden-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis annae), a species native to Costa Rica that symbolizes the country’s rich biodiversity. The amphibian’s presence becomes a central narrative element and a metaphor for environmental reconnection.
The documentary was developed over about two years, driven by the dedication of its creative team and support from local collaborators, highlighting the role of documentary cinema in telling stories about wildlife and environmental stewardship.
Significance of the Santiago Wild Nomination
The nomination in the “Emerging Talent LatAm – New Voices from Latin America” category underscores the film’s artistic and environmental storytelling strength. The Santiago Wild Film Festival champions nature-focused cinema and gives visibility to works that bring environmental issues to broader audiences.
This recognition enhances the profile of Costa Rican films in the international nature documentary community and contributes to highlighting Costa Rica as a leader in biodiversity and environmental storytelling.
Natural and Cultural Context of the Featured Frog
The golden-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis annae), which inspired the documentary’s title, is a Costa Rican endemic amphibian known for its distinctive appearance and ecological importance as a bioindicator species.
Amphibians like this frog are especially sensitive to habitat loss, environmental change, and climate impacts, making them key symbols in conservation narratives.
Sources Consulted
- Delfino.cr, “Documental tico sobre la rana de ojos dorados es nominado en festival Santiago Wild”
- Santiago Wild Film Festival — festival highlighting nature and wildlife films
- Biocultural information on Agalychnis annae — species ecology and conservation context
