About Fernando Valencia.
I am an award-winning documentary filmmaker, visual anthropologist, and versatile video producer dedicated to creating stories that inspire change and amplify underrepresented voices. My work sits at the intersection of social justice and cinematic storytelling, blending compelling narratives with technical expertise in all phases of video production.
With extensive experience in both the non-profit and media sectors, I have produced content as a freelance creator and as an in-house communications professional, managing projects from concept and scripting to field production, editing, and post-production. Collaborating closely with dynamic teams, I have used visual storytelling to highlight issues ranging from health and education to migration and rural development.
My journey began with a curiosity about the social realities of my home country and has taken me across Latin America, expanding into a broader mission: using video and film to illuminate stories of resilience and transformation. I have directed four short films, edited one, and served as a production advisor on an award-winning feature documentary.
I believe in the power of storytelling to drive impact and am always seeking new collaborations to bring meaningful narratives to life—whether through documentary, social impact campaigns, or multimedia video projects.
Non-profits I have produced stories for:
Smile Train, Inc. (US),
The Tacombi Foundation, Inc. (US),
Red de Pueblos Transnacionales, Inc. (US),
Alianza Americas, Inc. (US),
Servicio Jesuita a Refugiados (Ecu),
Red Eclecial Panamazónica (Ecu),
REVICPAZLAC (Col),
Amigos Trabajando en los Cruceros (Mex),
FM4 Paso Libre (Mex),
Sin Fronteras I.A.P (Mex).
Honors & Awards
Smile Train Comms team
Best Mid-Size Nonprofit — Shorty Impact Awards (2024).
Nonprofit Communications Team of the Year — PRNEWS (2024).
Two Guinness World Records (2023 and 2024).
Seeds, The Legacy of the Land (Mexico, 2021)
Mexican Film Institute production and post-production grant (México, 2018)
Best Documentary — Contra el Silencio Todas las Voces (México, 2022)
Best Director — Tamatán Mexican Cinema Film Festival (México, 2022)
Best Green Short — Nominee, Green Film Network Awards (Austria, 2022)
The Patronas’ Kitchen (Mexico, 2016)
Best Documentary Feature — International Film Festival on Migration (Argentina, 2018).
Best Documentary Feature — International Film Festival on Migration (Egypt, 2018).
Best Documentary Feature — ACAMPADOC Film Festival (Panama, 2017).
Only one Day (2009)
Honorary Mention for Best Student Documentary Film — UNAM National Film Archive (Mexico, 2009).
Research and Publications.
2017, Ecuador. MA Final Dissertation in Visual Anthropology. Audiovisual Stories: Memory Construction of Armed Conflict and Reintegration into Civilian Life in Nuevo Horizonte, Petén, Guatemala. Available at FLACSO’s Library, academia.edu, and FLACSO Andes online platform.
2024, Mexico. Vulnerable. La ciudad sin orillas. Crónicas migrantes en Nueva York y otros territorios (The Borderless City. Migrant Chronicles in New York and Other Territories). UNAM Publicaciones y Fomento Editorial y CUNY Mexican Studies Institute. P. 85-93.