• RUNA SIMI

    Directed by Augusto Zegarra
    Peru | 81 minutes | California Premiere | True Stories

  

Winner: Ibero-American Award

Director Augusto Zegarra and Producer Paloma Iturriaga are expected to attend the January 6t, January 8th, and January 11th screenings. 

Film Festival 2026

Ten million people speak Quechua, yet no film has been dubbed in the language. In Cusco, Fernando and his young son set out to dub The Lion King, transforming dubbing into a tool of resistance.

film synopsis

In South America, more than 10 million people speak Quechua, yet no film has ever been dubbed in the language. Determined to change that, Cusco radio host and dubbing artist Fernando Valencia—aided by his young son Dylan—recreates famous movie scenes in Quechua and shares them online. But his ultimate dream is to dub his favorite film, The Lion King. Director Augusto Zegarra’s award-winning debut documentary reveals, through Fernando’s quest, how dubbing in an endangered language can transcend entertainment to become a powerful act of preservation and resistance. Winner: Best New Documentary Director, Tribeca.

film details

Director: Augusto Zegarra
Producers: Claudia Chávez Lévano, Paloma Iturriaga
Cinematographers: Renzo Rivas
Editor: Carloos Rojas
Music: Pauchi Sasaki
Cast: Fernando Valencia, Dylan Valencia
Country: Peru
Language: In English and Quecha, Spanish with English subtitles
Year: 2025
Running Time: 81 minutes
Premiere Status: California Premiere
Awards: Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director, Tribeca Film Festival; Youth Jury Award, Sheffield Docfest
Primary Company: Alaska 88

Film Festival 2026