Fire in Quibayo

"Fire in Quibayo" immerses the viewer in the heart of the ritual Baile en Candela, an annual celebration that takes place every October 12 at midnight, Indigenous Resistance Day, in the Quibayo sector, inside the Cerro María Lionza Natural Monument, in Yaracuy, Venezuela. Director Luis Sotillo, a native of San Felipe, capital of Yaracuy State, captures the essence of this unique event, where hundreds of dancers, coming from different corners of Venezuela, surrender to a trance that links their bodies to an indigenous ancestor. With the rhythm of the drums as a guide, these devotees walk over burning embers, paying homage to Queen Maria Lionza, the central figure of their spirituality. Through interviews, Sotillo reveals the deep symbolism and tradition involved in this ritual. "Fire in Quibayo" not only documents the Baile en Candela, but also offers a window into the complex web of beliefs and cultures that converge around Maria Lionza. The film shows how believers erect altars in forests and rivers, honoring nature and their indigenous ancestors. The Cerro María Lionza is presented as a portal to a spiritual world, a realm of occultism and mysticism that defies conventional understanding. "Fire in Quibayo" is a testament to the power of faith and tradition, a thought-provoking cinematic journey into the connection between man, nature and the transcendental. Fire in Quibayo is the winner of the Pelican Award for Best Documentary Short at the Hermetic Film Festival 2024 (Venecia, Italy).