“El Último Ciclo”Most Watched Film Award Recipient

Directed by:  Camila Montoya

Festival Edition: Winterfest ’26

Award Recognition: Most Watched Film

(3h 42m Total Watch Time)

Feature Type: Official Festival Recognition Feature

Published by: Cinematic Luxe Indie Showcase

Publication Date: April, 2026

Feature ID: CL-PF-WF26-018

Feature Overview

El Último Ciclo transforms an environmental crisis into a cinematic experience rooted in human perspective and collective memory. Centered on the Elqui River basin, the film explores the realities of water scarcity through the voices of those who live within its impact.

Rather than presenting the issue from a distance, the documentary immerses the audience in a lived environment where landscape, history, and community converge. The result is a film that moves beyond observation, inviting viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature, responsibility, and the systems that shape both.

Cinematic Luxe Insight

El Último Ciclo stands out through its ability to merge environmental storytelling with emotional resonance. By grounding its narrative in real voices and lived experience, the film creates a connection that extends beyond geography.

With a Cinematic Insights Score of 8.4 / 10 — Strong, the project demonstrates clear storytelling, strong thematic impact, and meaningful audience engagement.

Its recognition as the Most Watched Film reflects not only viewership, but sustained engagement, an indication that audiences remained invested in both the message and the experience.

Director Conversation

The following conversation is presented as part of Cinematic Luxe’s official winners feature spotlight.

Audience Impact

Congratulations on El Último Ciclo becoming the Most Watched Film of the festival with over 3 hours and 42 minutes of total watch time. What does it mean to you knowing that audiences spent that much time engaging with this story?

As a team, we greatly enjoyed being able to share this story with people without borders. We appreciate your attention and commitment to the documentary genre.

The Origin

The film explores a serious environmental issue through the voices of the people living it. What inspired you to tell the story of the Elqui River basin in this way?

The river runs through the history of its inhabitants. It was difficult to know which elements of its course should be included in this story. Then the question of memory arose: what was this river like before, when drought wasn't a problem? So we created a route, giving voice to the river through the people who live around it and thanks to it. In America, if you remember too much, you inevitably reach the ancestral, and the only ancestral voice remains the river, the mountain, the valley. That voice says: we are still here.

Environment as Character

Many viewers mentioned that the landscapes and atmosphere of the region stayed with them long after watching. How important was the environment itself as a “character” in the film?

The Elqui River is a river brimming with poetry and mysticism. Its skies, protected for astronomical observation, reveal a breathtaking panorama of the mountains, the river itself, and the native flora and fauna. In winter, the Milky Way aligns with the valley and the river; they are one. The river itself fulfills a natural cycle from its source and the perpetual change of its three physical states, making it a powerful visual example of how everything in nature is connected and constantly transforming.

The preservation of the world's beauty depends on our respect and commitment to it; knowing and admiring it is the first step.

Relatability

Environmental documentaries can sometimes feel distant for audiences who haven’t experienced the issue firsthand. How did you approach making this story feel personal and relatable?

Everyone knows the water cycle; we've all seen the river connect with the sea, and some have even been fortunate enough to witness snow melting into water.

Beyond this collective knowledge, I believe this place is a magnetic site in the world, a place that must be preserved, a place that holds much spiritual wealth, and where I have experienced and enjoyed the warmth of its traditions through its people.

Voices & Perspective

The voices of the residents help guide the narrative throughout the film. How did you decide whose stories and perspectives would shape the final documentary?

We chose a diverse range of stories that could help paint a picture of all kinds of people, regardless of their profession. Water scarcity affects us all; it originates in the mountains and reaches the big city. Vital resources are taken from some and given to others. Some traditional trades, part of humanity's heritage, are disappearing.

These people inhabit a territory that resists; to stay here is to resist, and they stay and improve it.

Message & Impact

Water is such a fundamental part of life, yet many people only think about it when it becomes scarce. What conversations are you hoping this film will spark among viewers?

I would like to see greater awareness about the proper use of natural resources, and for us to be involved in a much more participatory way. Recycling is no longer enough; we need to stop creating things we don't need, and we need environmental education in schools and workplaces. We need to repeal laws made by dictators who profit from nature and privatize human rights.

Director’s Quote

“The river runs through the history of its inhabitants… the only ancestral voice remains the river, the mountain, the valley. That voice says: we are still here.”

Discovery

During production, were there any moments that surprised you or changed how you personally understood the situation in the Elqui River basin?

I knew I had to create stories related to water use and those I sensed it affected, but the details of each story were, in some cases, more raw and in others much more hopeful than what I had been hearing, which ultimately left a good feeling. When you make a documentary, you give yourself over to it and trust; you never know.

Emotional Core

Viewers often connect with documentaries not just through information but through emotion. What part of the film do you feel carries the strongest emotional weight?

The most exciting part for me in the film is the sequence with the birds, when towards the end the river should join the sea and is only a few meters away, but it doesn't quite reach it, the water appears stagnant, yet there is life, the birds inhabit the wetland, they eat, sleep, migrate and this sequence takes us to the mountain, to the source once again.

Global Reach

Now that the film has been recognized as the Most Watched Film of the festival, how does it feel knowing that this story is reaching audiences from different places and perspectives?

I would like to know more stories about the rivers, more film festivals about nature, more films and cinemas in rural areas.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, how has the experience of making El Último Ciclo influenced the kinds of stories you want to tell in the future?

I hope this story is the beginning of more explorations that will allow me to improve my storytelling methods, to play more with the content, and to open doors to imagining better worlds.

Recognition

El Último Ciclo was recognized as the Most Watched Film at the Cinematic Luxe Indie Showcase Winterfest ’26, achieving over 3 hours and 42 minutes of total audience watch time, and standing out for its ability to engage viewers through meaningful storytelling and a globally relevant message.