Panama’s film industry has chosen its international standard-bearer. The Panamanian Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences announced that CHICHERO, directed by Arturo Montenegro and Aarón Bromley, will represent the country at the 2027 Goya Awards and in the campaign for a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards.
What Happened
According to the announcement, reported by Telemetro, the Panamanian Academy selected CHICHERO as the nation’s official entry for two of the world’s most prestigious film honors: Spain’s Goya Awards, which recognize excellence in Ibero-American cinema, and the Oscars, where the film will seek a nomination for Best International Feature Film.
The film, helmed by directors Arturo Montenegro and Aarón Bromley, will also soon reach domestic audiences. CHICHERO is scheduled to arrive in Panamanian cinemas in late September, giving local viewers the chance to see the country’s chosen representative on the big screen.
Background
Each year, national film academies and selection committees around the world choose one film to compete in the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category, one of the most competitive fields in global cinema. Similarly, the Goya Awards, presented by Spain’s Film Academy, honor the finest work in Spanish and Portuguese-language cinema, making them a key platform for Latin American filmmakers.
Panama has in recent decades built a growing national cinema, supported by the country’s film law and the emergence of a new generation of directors and producers. Selection as the country’s official entry represents a significant milestone for any Panamanian production, placing it before international voters, critics, and festival audiences.
The Panamanian Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, the body behind the selection, is tasked with promoting and representing national cinema on the world stage, including choosing the country’s submissions to major international awards.
What This Means for Panama
The selection of CHICHERO puts Panamanian cinema in the international spotlight once again. A Goya candidacy alone offers the film visibility across Spain and Latin America, while an Oscar campaign — even at the shortlist stage — can attract distributors, critics, and festival programmers to a national film industry that continues to seek broader global recognition.
For audiences at home, the film’s theatrical release in late September offers a chance to support the production as it begins its awards journey. Its performance in Spanish-language markets and among international voters will be closely watched as an indicator of the reach of Panama’s growing film sector.
The coming months will determine whether CHICHERO advances in the awards races, but its selection already represents a vote of confidence in the work of Montenegro, Bromley, and their team, and a moment of national pride for Panama’s creative community.
This story was originally reported by Telemetro.