Documentary Runa Simi Won Audience Award in Boston

The film chronicling a Quechua-language project earned top honors at CineFest Latino.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Cultural

Abstract graphic illustration of a stylized film projector lens with geometric light rays, evoking the aesthetic of an independent film festival. — The documentary film 'Runa Simi,' which follows a father's project to dub popular movies into Quechua, won the audience award at Boston’s CineFest Latino. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The documentary Runa Simi has secured the audience award for best feature at the recent CineFest Latino in Boston. The 81-minute film follows a Cusco father who dubs popular movies into the Quechua language.

Why it matters

The project seeks to increase visibility for Quechua language, identity, and culture. Its recognition at the festival highlights the growing international interest in indigenous storytelling.

The documentary has garnered 27 awards across 60 festivals in 30 countries. The Boston screening held on October 3 attracted an audience of more than 150 attendees.

The players

Augusto Zegarra

He is the director of Runa Simi who spent nine years filming the project.

CineFest Latino

This is a film festival held in Boston that showcases Latin American cinema.

Peru's Foreign Ministry

This government entity tracks and announces international recognitions of Peruvian cultural projects.

The details

Director Augusto Zegarra spent nine years filming the documentary to capture the effort of dubbing films into Quechua. Festival attendees at the Emerson Paramount Center cast their votes to determine the winner of the audience award.

The documentary had its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival.
The film won an award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January 2026.
CineFest Latino took place in Boston from September 30 to October 4, 2026.
The film screened at the Emerson Paramount Center on October 3, 2026.
Peru's Foreign Ministry announced the award on October 9, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This win reflects a broader movement within the film industry to highlight marginalized voices and languages. It marks a departure from traditional mainstream distribution by successfully platforming indigenous identity at international festivals.

The award increases the likelihood that the film will appear at additional regional festivals or streaming services. Attendees can track future screenings to determine when and where they can watch the 81-minute project.

The takeaway

Documentaries that focus on linguistic preservation are gaining significant traction in the festival circuit. Viewers interested in indigenous culture can support these projects by following award-winning titles from smaller festivals.