Why This Name?
Because this organization had to declare its belief in the strength of nature, a nature that is part of the place and history from where I come. This connection stems from my maternal grandmother, a mixed Indigenous woman who understood and translated knowledge between these two worlds, and my mother, who later, delved into her stories in this same relationship with plants. My heritage is rooted in the experiences of these two women, and I could not but continue on this same path.
ANINGA is a plant from the Araceae family, very common in the Amazon and along the coast of tropical South America. Characterized by its large, spear-shaped leaves, it can grow up to 2m in height and has deep aquatic roots. Aninga plays an important role in the biodiversity of the ecosystem where it is born. Grouped together, they serve as an ecological corridor, providing space and food for various species of fauna and flora. It is also recognized for its ability to serve as a bioindicator of polluted places that require care, and for being capable of filtering heavy metals from the soil, contributing to the balance of life and its ecosystem.
ANINGA wants to honor this name: it aims to open pathways, care for what needs care, and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem of art and cinematic narratives.
About the Founder
Juliana Curi is an award-winning Brazilian-Latina film director whose work centers on feminism, diversity, and social change. Her work has been described as 'captivating and one-of-a-kind' (Golden Globes Hollywood Press Association), 'dazzling performance art' (Deadline), 'bold and expressive cinema' (The Hollywood Times), and "transcendental visual approach" (East Bay Times).
With a decade of experience directing for renowned global brands and special recognition from UN Women for defying gender stereotypes, Juliana debuted her first feature film, the critically acclaimed 'UÝRA – The Rising Forest', in 2022. The film has been showcased at prestigious venues such as the Barbican in London, BAM in Brooklyn, Fondazione Prada in Milan, and DGA Theater in Los Angeles, earning 19 awards, including accolades from London Film Week, New Filmmakers LA, One World Media, and Outfest.
In 2024, Juliana was selected for the Director’s Guild of America’s Director Development Initiative Program (DDI Mentor Program). This opportunity allows her to receive mentorship from veteran directors, enhancing her episodic directing skills as part of the DGA’s commitment to providing exposure for highly qualified candidates from underrepresented communities.
Juliana believes in storytelling as a powerful tool for social transformation. From this belief, ANINGA and her body of work were born.
