Igualada is a 2024 documentary directed by Juan Mejía, chronicling the journey of Francia Márquez, a Black woman from a rural Colombian community, as she challenges societal norms by launching a presidential campaign.
Reclaiming the term “igualada,” historically used to demean those asserting unacknowledged rights, Márquez propels a movement to the highest levels of power by refusing to “know her place.” Fifteen years in the making, this film offers an intimate look into how transformative change can occur.
“For the first time in Colombia’s history, the left is in power, and having Francia Márquez as vice president marks an unprecedented milestone,” producer Juan Yepes tells BDE. “However, we don’t want her to be the only one. We want more Black, Indigenous, and marginalized women to occupy the spaces that have historically been denied to them.”
Francia’s story is unique and inspiring,” Yepes continues. “The impact campaign inspired by Igualada aims to create a paradigm shift, ensuring that many more Igualadas continue breaking barriers. We seek to build stronger networks, political schools, and leadership programs focused on racialized women, fostering knowledge-sharing and implementing training activities that expand their political capacities.”
Yepes confirms that the production recently received a grant from Luminate for design and execution of a first phase of the impact campaign in Colombia. “We are planning to have the impact campaign in Colombia from May to July 2025, and we’re currently looking for partners to bring the campaign to other places in Latin America and Europe. Igualada is also slated to broadcast in the United States as part of POV.”
Director Juan Mejia met Francia Márquez in 2006 while working on a film about forced displacement in Colombia, Yepes points out. Francia, at the time, was a young community organizer, fighting to keep her community on their land, resisting large-scale mining concessions. Since then, Juan and Francia have collaborated and worked on different projects. In 2020, Francia contacted Juan to tell him she was thinking of running for president. Juan suggested a documentary about her journey, and she agreed. “We never expected we would set out on a journey to witness how Francia became Colombia’s first Black Vice President,” Meija enthuses.
“In a world where racist, classist, and patriarchal narratives continue to undermine the voices of those who dare to challenge the status quo, we must stand firm in countering these discourses,” the producer further underlines. “By amplifying their stories, and fostering networks of support, we are not only reclaiming space but actively dismantling the stereotypes and prejudices that seek to silence them. Every Igualada deserves the opportunity to lead without fear, to challenge oppressive systems, and to transform society.”
