5 Latin American Films to Watch in 2026
Latin American films have been making waves in the festival scene for years. These five films highlight the power, complexity, and global rise of Latinx storytelling in 2026.
Shakira made viral news announcing her new project, helping climate change efforts.
The global superstar Latina entertainer Shakira made viral news earlier this year over a bizarre wild boar attack in Barcelona, Spain which she shared on Instagram. The mamá bear Shakira stood up to the boars who ambushed her and her son in a city park as onlookers did nothing. Wild boars are apparently a thing of a problem in Barcelona and other European cities.
The issue of wild boars trashing European cities speaks to a potentially bigger problem. Environment and climate disruption. The very issue Shakira is fighting against. What the ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ Shakira may not have made in connection is that the wild boars that attacked her family were pushed out of their normal habitats into city dwellings by humans. As warmer winters arrive and food sources dry up, a city garbage can is an attractive food source for a wild boar herd. The issue of climate change and environmental impact hit close to home with the Latina entertainer, Shakira.
Since Shakira was eighteen years old, she has led with her humanitarian values by forming in her native Barranquilla, Colombia, Fundación Pies Descalzos which focuses on early childhood development, education and health. Shakira’s advocacy work and philanthropy has a three-part strategy which includes foundations dedicated to development advocacy in Colombia, Latin America and the World. Being one of the music industry’s first Latinx pop crossover stars into the United States, former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama tapped Shakira to serve as part of former President¹s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
Shakira uses her platform to bring up environmental and climate change issues. Her most recent high profile invitation came from Prince William, of the British Royal family to become an Earthshot Prize council member representing each of the six continents. The council represents entertainment, sports and philanthropists. Included in the 13-member council are other Latino Americanos like Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves and Costa Rican diplomat Christiana Figueres.
It will spend the next 10 years annually awarding five, one million-pound ($1.2 million) prizes to individuals, organizations, charities, scientists, activists, and those around the world who are working to provide solutions to the world’s biggest environmental problems. Interested in becoming an EarthShot winner? Learn More
Shakira had this to add in her interview in the ‘Environment Issue’ – Glamour UK magazine drop which coincides with the UN Cop26 Climate Change Conference “Your children, my children – they have to find ways to reduce carbon emissions, to repair our oceans, to clean the air,”
“So we need young minds to be informed and invested, which is why education is so important. But we can’t just stand still. We have to lead the way and we have to do it now. I know it’s ambitious and I know there will be so many challenges along the way but I also know there will be so many who will rise to the occasion.”
Latin American films have been making waves in the festival scene for years. These five films highlight the power, complexity, and global rise of Latinx storytelling in 2026.
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