THE AWAKENING

• Claudio Cataño (ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE)
• Hilda Ruiz (LAND AND SHADE)

THE AWAKENING is the posthumous work of visionary filmmaker Jaime Osorio, winner of the Best New Director Award at Sitges for THE SQUAD. His final film transcends conventional horror, blending supernatural terror, ancestral mysticism and spectacular visual effects in an epic journey into the depths of the South American jungle. Produced Federico Durán – Rhayuela Films, one of Colombia’s most established production companies, with over 30 years of experience, the film benefits from an exceptional creative team with a proven international track record. Its acclaimed productions include THE SQUAD (Sitges Best New Director), ALIAS MARÍA (Cannes Un Certain Regard 2015) and REBELLION (Tallinn Black Nights Award Winner).

The film celebrated its World Premiere at the Guadalajara International Film Festival 2026, competing in the Official Genre Competition, followed by its European Premiere at Sitges 2026. Its festival journey also includes the Bogotá International Film Festival (BIFF) and Fantasmagoría International Fantastic and Horror Film Festival. Its international appeal is already confirmed with sales to the USA (Well Go USA), South Korea (Mediasoft) and Poland (9th Plan), demonstrating strong interest from established genre distributors. Presented in its original, uncompromised form, THE AWAKENING preserves Jaime Osorio’s artistic vision, standing as both a powerful tribute to his legacy and a compelling cult discovery for international horror and fantasy audiences.

An elite military unit ventures into the South American tropical jungle on a mission to eliminate an enemy target. What begins as a tactical operation quickly turns into a nightmare when they encounter supernatural forces emerging from the depths of the jungle. Five hundred years earlier, a Spanish conquistador expedition was consumed by the same relentless force. Separated by centuries but connected by the same hostile territory, both incursions discover something hidden in the jungle: an ancient presence that cannot be controlled.