Private Project

Enraizados (Our Roots Remain)

In the heart of Mexico, the P’urhépecha town of Cherán stands as a bastion of resilience. When illegal loggers and cartels threatened their sacred forests, the community rose in defiance, reclaiming their land and future. Through the eyes of Susy, a young street artist inspired by the town's history; Paco, an environmental engineer contributing to its restoration; and Geno, a leader of the rebellion, this film explores how a small town’s fight for autonomy became a powerful symbol of indigenous strength and environmental stewardship.

  • Ivonne Serna
    Director
    Sabor Y Amor
  • Selim Benzeghia
    Director
    A Slide and Barbed Wires
  • Selim Benzeghia
    Producer
  • Ivonne Serna
    Producer
    Sabor Y Amor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 9, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Mexico
  • Country of Filming:
    Mexico
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Baku
    Azerbaijan
    November 12, 2024
    Extreme Hangout • COP29, Baku Indigenous-Led Climate Action and the Power of Storytelling
Director Biography - Ivonne Serna, Selim Benzeghia

Sélim Benzeghia (he/him) is a Franco-Algerian director and producer, and co-founder of Koudetat Films. He specializes in documentaries on social issues, including climate justice, human rights, and forced migration. His credits have included work for Nova Productions, France Télévision, and Radio Nova. His documentary A Slide and Barbed Wire (2023) aired on French National Television, received critical acclaim, and played a role in a UNICEF impact campaign that influenced policy changes regarding the detention of migrant children in France. Sélim co-directed the short film Enraizados with Ivonne Serna, supported by The Redford Center, which premiered at COP29 and is currently running in festivals. He was a resident at the 2023 Documentary Campus Masterschool, IDFAcademy 2024 and is a member of Collectif 50/50, which advocates for gender parity and diversity in the French film industry. https://www.selimbenzeghia.com/
Ivonne Serna (she/her), a Mexican documentary filmmaker and climate specialist, has honed her craft across LATAM, North America, and Europe, dedicating herself to creating narratives that elevate women and underrepresented communities, notably in Mexico and its diaspora. Her expansive portfolio includes visual reporting and environmental project management. As a freelance filmmaker, her short film "Sabor Y Amor" won acclaim at VTIFF Made Here, and secured the third US-Mexico Bicentennial Kaleidoscope award. Ivonne co-directed the short film Enraizados (Our Roots Remain) supported by The Redford Center, which premiered at COP29 and is currently running in festivals. A member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Ivonne is committed to championing female and BIPOC filmmakers, fervently steering her work to forge a more just and sustainable world. https://www.ivonneserna.com/

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