FINALIST 2025
Sapara Nation: Guardians of the Sacred Rainforest
This documentary offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the Sapara Nation of the Ecuadorian Amazon, the guardians of one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems.
Through intimate storytelling narrated by the Sapara spiritual and political leader, Manari Ushigua, the film explores the spirituality, language, and medicinal traditions of the Sapara people, revealing a regenerative and holistic way of living that exists in harmony with nature. The film captures the Sapara language—an empathic language, and a UNESCO-recognised cultural treasure that embodies a deep connection to the natural world but is at risk of extinction, with only three fluent speakers remaining.
As the Sapara face mounting threats from climate change, oil drilling, and gold mining, their culture, language, and ecological wisdom hang in the balance. Guardians of the Sacred Rainforest is both a celebration of the Sapara’s enduring spirit and a powerful call to action to protect their land, their legacy, and the future of our planet.
Void Studios is a research-led architectural practice dedicated to integrating Indigenous wisdom into the realm of architecture, with a mission to preserve cultural and ecological diversity.
We work with indigenous communities in South America and Africa to address the urgent challenges of climate change, social inequality, access to education, and to develop sustainable communities and cities that nurture interdependence and resilience.
At Void Studios, architecture is a tool for healing, reconciliation, and cultivating thriving ecosystems for generations to come.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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