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Tres jóvenes colombianos que participaron del sandbox audiovisual

How is the Sandbox Audiovisual promoting the development of creative talent in Colombia?  

August 10, 2023 por Raquel Fernández - Alejandra Luzardo - Liliana Serrano Pájaro - Maria Fernanda Prada - Adriana Zambrano - Mario Eckardt Leave a Comment


Promoting diversity and inclusion in the realm of audiovisual content creation is vital. It’s a driving force propelling the audiovisual industry in Latin America and the Caribbean to new heights, transforming it into a true powerhouse for economic and social progress. This entails ensuring the representation of various ethnic, cultural, and gender groups and providing opportunities to individuals who have traditionally been marginalized within the industry. Inclusion and diversity are pivotal in generating innovative ideas and approaches that resonate with an increasingly varied audience. 

The audiovisual industry has emerged as one of the most significant players on the global stage in the past decade. In 2019, more than $5.7 billion was invested in Latin America and the Caribbean, resulting in the creation of over 1.6 million direct (30%) and indirect (67%) jobs, as per a study by Olsberg SPI. These indirect jobs are in sectors such as construction, travel, transportation, hotels, food services, security, health, among others. 

Ways to Enhance the Growth of the Audiovisual Industry: Opportunities and Challenges

A study published by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Netflix pinpointed the primary opportunities and challenges to enhance sector growth in the region.

  1. Establishing relevant courses, academic programs, and training options within the offerings of educational institutions. 
  1. A stronger alignment between educational curricula and market needs is essential. The industry requires professionals who not only possess technical skills, including digital proficiency for specific roles, but also 21st-century skills that enable effective collaboration, seamless adaptation to new technologies, creative problem-solving, and impactful communication. By honing these skills, young talents can better navigate the industry’s ever-evolving landscape. 

For the industry to have these skills readily available in the workforce, it is essential to invest in the talent of the new generations.

Especially, among young individuals who, due to various factors, lack access to quality and relevant educational opportunities. This investment is not solely the government’s responsibility; the private sector also plays a pivotal role in nurturing creative talent. 

This is precisely why companies like Netflix, Amazon, and Disney are increasingly channeling their investments into local productions, fostering collaboration among key players in the industry. This concerted effort ensures that the region continues to meet the growing demands of the audiovisual sector, which now calls for the inclusion of more diverse voices. 

Colombia Emerges as an Audiovisual Powerhouse 

In Colombia, there is a clear imperative to nurture a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of the industry and ignite the interest of young individuals in fields associated with the cultural and creative sectors. 

For this reason, the IDB, the Ministry of Culture in Colombia, and Netflix launched the Sandbox Audiovisual program in 2022. This initiative aims to support the development of the Colombian audiovisual industry by creating practical training opportunities for 1,500 young people in conditions and/or risk of vulnerability (women, indigenous, Afro-descendants and members of the LGBTIQ+ community) who exhibit remarkable creative potential but lack prior experience in the sector.  

Sandbox, talent training for the audiovisual industry (in Spanish)

The Sandbox Audiovisual initiative in Colombia seeks to highlight the social and economic value inherent in careers within the cultural and creative industries. It inspires young individuals to broaden their educational paths, providing access to high-level training opportunities for honing both technical skills and 21st-century competencies across ten prioritized entry-level positions under the project: production assistant, scouter, camera assistant, lighting assistant, grip assistant, video assist, sound assistant, art assistant, wardrobe assistant, and makeup assistant. 

As part of the actions within the Sandbox Audiovisual, there is also a focus on identifying opportunities to engage with local production companies and expand future employment prospects. 

Lights, Camera and Action…Roll! 

The program progresses through four phases named Lights On!, Camera Ready!, Action!, and Roll! 

How did the young generation respond to the call to take part in the Sandbox project? 

In the initial ‘Lights!’ phase, the Sandbox created a two-day immersive and motivational space. hrough a series of insightful talks and engaging individual and group challenges, young participants were introduced to the captivating realm of the audiovisual industry. This initial phase, which commenced in February 2023, remarkably showcased the enthusiastic response from the youth toward the sector. It also highlighted a fervent demand for training programs that are attuned to the distinctive needs of the most marginalized communities across the country. 

During the application process, we received an astounding 7,565 submissions from the six prioritized departments: Chocó, La Guajira, Putumayo, Sucre, Cauca, and Cundinamarca. The response surpassed our expectations by an incredible 500%. 

Furthermore, within this expansive pool of applicants, 17% come from indigenous backgrounds, while 22% belong to Afro-Colombian communities. Additionally, 8.4% of the participants identify as LGBTQ+, 8.6% are part of displaced populations, and 15% are young individuals affected by armed conflict.

‘Camera!’: Unfolding the Second Phase of the Project 

In the ‘Camera!’ phase, young participants gained access to intensive courses meticulously crafted by industry experts. These courses aimed to furnish them with the technical elements and knowledge essential for mastering the skills required in each of the designated entry-level positions handpicked by the project. This phase took place between July 10 and July 23, 2023. Upon its conclusion, the top-performing 100 young individuals were chosen to advance in their training journey. 

Looking Forward: The Next Steps of the Audiovisual Sandbox  

In Phase 3 of the project, aptly named ‘Action!’, the selected 100 young individuals will proceed with a hands-on, two-week training program at Congo Films. Subsequently, they will have the privilege of a two-week internship, both with Netflix productions and local ventures. This process has garnered attention from various production companies, with a notable eagerness to participate as training partners throughout the project. In fact, there are presently 41 interested parties, and over 70 openings have been identified for project beneficiaries. 

Lastly, in Phase 4, dubbed ‘Roll!’, these 100 young participants will engage in a mentorship program alongside industry leaders. These mentors will guide and support them in further enhancing their educational and professional journeys, connecting them with opportunities within the industry. 

Through the Sandbox Audipovisual, the IDB is firmly committed to nurturing the growth of Colombia’s audiovisual industry, serving as a cornerstone in our strategy for inclusive territorial development and socioeconomic progress. We believe in a fresh generation of public policies geared towards propelling sectors with substantial potential to shape the lives of upcoming generations. 

To delve deeper into the Audiovisual Sandbox project, keep an eye out for our upcoming blog entries. We’ll be delving into the accomplishments of each phase, offering you a comprehensive view. 

Curious to learn more about how we’re promoting 21st-century skills across Latin America and the Caribbean? In this blog, we share our perspective on the future of the entertainment industry, which hinges on skills, creative talent, and the diversity of voices. 

Click here to download the full report (https://publications.iadb.org/en/behind-camera-creativity-and-investment-latin-america-and-caribbean-learnings-conversations-key) 

“Behind the Camera: Creativity and Investment for Latin America and the Caribbean: Learnings from Conversations with Key Players in the Audiovisual Sector” is a collaborative publication by the IDB and Netflix. It delves into the opportunities and challenges that the audiovisual industry encounters in Latin America and the Caribbean while also discussing ways to promote creativity and investment within this sector. 


Filed Under: Education and work Tagged With: 21 century skills, film industry in latin america, get into the audiovisual industry, Inter-American Development Bank, latin america's audivisual industy, netflix

Raquel Fernández

Raquel Fernández-Coto is a specialist within the Inter-American Development Bank’s Education Division in Guatemala, where she leads the country’s education sector’s portfolio with special interest and experience in secondary and post-secondary education, technical education, and skills for work. Moreover, she leads diverse regional initiatives and in other countries like Colombia. Before her post in Guatemala, she was education specialist for the IDB in Honduras and was part of the Labor Markets and Social Security Division at IDB headquarters in Washington D.C., where she worked on projects in the Caribbean and Central America. She also worked at the World Bank in infrastructure, logistics, and agriculture projects within the Economics Unit in the Sustainable Development Department for Latin America and the Caribbean and in Costa Rica’s Competitiveness Promotion Council, as Director of Programs and Projects. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government

Alejandra Luzardo

Alejandra Luzardo es líder en innovación y creatividad en el Grupo BID, donde dirige iniciativas sobre las industrias culturales y creativas, el emprendimiento creativo y las nuevas tecnologías. También coordina la investigación, diseño, ejecución y evaluación de proyectos en los sectores de la economía naranja. Alejandra actualmente está articulando el diálogo de políticas para el sector de la economía creativa con un eje intersectorial para repensar cómo potenciar la contribución del sector creativo en el empleo y en la reactivación económica de América Latina y el Caribe. Encabezó la creación de Idear Soluciones (Demand Solutions), un modelo de negocios que aplica la lógica empresarial y enfoques creativos para abordar problemas en temas como salud, transporte, energía y seguridad ciudadana. Su trabajo cubre diferentes ámbitos del sector creativo y tecnologías disruptivas, construyendo soluciones tecnológicas por más de dos décadas a través de una variedad de organizaciones internacionales. Sus recientes publicaciones han sido “best sellers” del BID, incluyendo "Economía Naranja: Innovaciones que no sabías que eran de América Latina y el Caribe", "Emprender un futuro naranja: Quince preguntas para entender mejor a los emprendedores creativos en América Latina y el Caribe" y "Los videojuegos no son un juego: Los desconocidos éxitos de los estudios de América Latina y el Caribe". Es miembro fundador de Prodiseño, Escuela de Comunicación Visual y Diseño en Caracas, Venezuela, y tiene una Maestría en Comunicación y Producción de Cine de American University, Washington DC.

Liliana Serrano Pájaro

Liliana Serrano Pajaro is a consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in the “21st Century Skills” initiative and supports the implementation of training projects in Colombia and the region. His experience includes coordinating the cooperation for Latin America and the Caribbean of the human development and education programs of the Organization of American States (OAS), as well as the expansion of the OAS Consortium of Latin American Universities with governments, universities and higher education institutions. Also, she has experience supporting regional innovation initiatives that promote the use of ICTs in education. Liliana is a Social Communicator and Journalist from Universidad de la Sabana in Colombia, she has a certification in Design of Social Impact Alliances from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and has more than nine years of experience in the area of ​​communications in education and development programs for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Maria Fernanda Prada

Maria Fernanda Prada es economista y trabaja en la División de Educación del BID desde Mayo de 2016. Dirige y colabora en proyectos de investigación y operativos relacionados con educación y empleabilidad en la era digital, educación técnica y desarrollo de habilidades. Antes de unirse a la División de Educación, trabajó en la División de Mercados Laborales y Seguridad Social del BID. También ha trabajado en los Departamentos de Investigación del BID y del Banco Mundial en Washington, DC, y en el Centro de Estudios sobre Desarrollo Económico de la Universidad de Los Andes en Bogotá, Colombia. Maria Fernanda tiene un Doctorado en Economía de la Universidad de Maryland, y es Economista con Maestría en Economía de la Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia).

Adriana Zambrano

Consultora de Educación para el proyecto Sandbox Audiovisual. Administradora Pública, Magíster en Gobierno y Políticas Públicas. Ha trabajado previamente en el desarrollo de políticas y proyectos en los sectores social, ciencia, tecnología e innovación y turismo.

Mario Eckardt

Mario Eckardt is an advisor, seconded to the IDB on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to support the Labor Markets and Education Division in the project: Strengthening the strategic cooperation between IDB and the BMZ in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Prior to that he has been Project Manager for Education and Training in the German-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Peru) where he led several TVET projects and advised the private sector on core processes of in-company trainings in different job profiles. He also worked as a personal Advisor of the Secretary of State of the Republic of Ecuador in Quito, consulting the Ecuadorian government on design processes of higher education and the implementation of a new TVET reform. There he was part of the working group of the Ecuadorian government for a World Bank credit approval in 2016. Previously, he has been a GIZ-Guide in Mongolia for the Cooperative Vocational Training in the Mineral Resource Project and in China in the Chinese-German training for the teachers in TVET. From 2009 to 2012 he worked as an expert for training and work organization with education institutions and the private sector in different countries. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Psychology (M.A.) with a main focus in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

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Education In Focus

"Education In Focus" is the Education Division's blog, a space where our specialists and guest authors share their reflections, experiences and knowledge to promote informed discussions on educational issues among policy makers, experts, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. Our goal: to provide insights to public policies that guarantee effective and quality education for all children and young people in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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