The intersection of live performance and cinematic art takes center stage in Bogotá this week as the city hosts one of the most ambitious cultural gatherings in the region. Among the diverse lineup of the Festival Internacional de Artes Vivas (FIAV) Bogotá 2026, the multimedia production “Julia” stands out as a provocative experiment in blending the immediacy of theater with the visual language of cinema.
Presented by Christiane Jatahy and Cia. Vértice, “Julia” is described as a space where theater transforms into cinema and cinema happens live. This multidisciplinary approach challenges the traditional boundaries of the stage, offering audiences a sensory experience that bridges the gap between a filmed narrative and a live theatrical encounter.
The production is part of a broader effort by the FIAV Bogotá 2026 to bring the world’s most innovative performing arts to Colombia. Running from March 27 to April 5, 2026, the festival has positioned Bogotá as a cultural epicenter, showcasing over one hundred works spanning dance, circus, music and theater from various continents.
For “Julia”, the timing is critical as it enters the final stretch of the festival’s calendar. The production, hailing from Brazil, is scheduled for performances in the Sala Teatro, with key dates including April 4 at 6:00 p.m. And a final showing on April 5 at 7:00 p.m.
The Cinematic Vision of Christiane Jatahy and Cia. Vértice
The core appeal of “Julia” lies in its identity as a “multimedia theater” piece. Unlike traditional plays that may use film as a backdrop, this production integrates the two mediums to create a hybrid form of storytelling. By treating the stage as a live film set, the production allows the audience to witness the construction of a cinematic world in real-time.
This focus on intercultural dialogue and contemporary creation is a hallmark of the 2026 edition of the festival. According to the Secretaría de Cultura, Recreación y Deporte, the FIAV aims to explore themes such as memory, identity, the body, and social transformations through these diverse artistic lenses.
The presence of Cia. Vértice adds to the festival’s strong Brazilian representation, joining other notable acts like the Lia Rodrigues Companhia de Danças, whose work “Encantado” explores the sacred and the everyday from the perspective of the Maré favela.
A Global Stage: Highlights of FIAV Bogotá 2026
While “Julia” pushes the boundaries of multimedia, the festival’s programming reflects a vast array of disciplines. The event has successfully drawn international companies to Bogotá, creating a hub for global artistic exchange.
Some of the other standout productions include:
- Numerical Series (China): Presented by the TAO Dance Theater, this minimalist series includes pieces ’16’ and ’17’, which investigate the body as a pure visual language and draw inspiration from traditions like the dragon dance.
- Muerte ordinaria (Russia): A production by Teatro de las Naciones that has been highlighted as an “unmissable” part of the festival’s theater circuit.
- Vampyr (Chile): A performance by Compañía Manuela Infante, adding to the diverse Latin American representation in the Sala Teatro.
- Tierra (Uruguay): An autofiction piece by Sergio Blanco.
Beyond the formal theater halls, the festival has extended its reach into the urban fabric of the city. The Bogotá government has coordinated free street theater events in plazas and parks. These include “The Flow” by Hong Kong artist Lai Ye at Parque Chiminigagua and the acrobatic spectacle “Loa al divino Narciso” by Fundación Tchyminigagua at the Centro Felicidad de Chapinero.
Quick Reference: “Julia” Performance Schedule
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| April 4, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Sala Teatro |
| April 5, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. | Sala Teatro |
Why Multimedia Theater Matters in 2026
The trend of “live cinema” seen in “Julia” reflects a broader shift in the performing arts toward interdisciplinarity. By blending the precision of film with the vulnerability of live theater, artists can manipulate perspective, time, and scale in ways that neither medium could achieve alone.
In the context of the FIAV, this experimentation serves as a bridge for intercultural dialogue. When a Brazilian company brings a multimedia approach to a Colombian audience, it creates a shared space for exploring how technology affects human connection and storytelling in the modern era.
The festival’s ability to host over a hundred works—ranging from the minimalist dance of China’s TAO Dance Theater to the street circus of Hong Kong—underscores Bogotá’s growing role as a leader in the Latin American arts scene.
As the festival concludes on April 5, the legacy of these performances remains in the dialogue they spark regarding the future of live entertainment. The integration of digital and physical spaces, as demonstrated in “Julia”, suggests a future where the distinction between “watching a movie” and “attending a play” continues to blur.
The final curtain for the Festival Internacional de Artes Vivas 2026 falls on April 5, 2026, marking the end of this year’s cultural convergence in Bogotá. We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the evolution of multimedia theater in the comments below.