About Tapestries of Light, Life, and Community in Guatemala
Milvia, Magda, Virginia, Jimena, Francis, and Maya share a common dream—a future of hope for their communities. They are Guatemalan women—indigenous weavers, artists, prosecutors, and grandmother midwives—who are fighting to defend democracy, human rights, and cultural heritage in a time of historic political transformation.
Tapestries of Light, Life, and Community in Guatemala weaves together the stories of women who have led legislative initiatives, shaped national policies, fought for human rights, built collective movements, and created spaces for art and activism—all in the pursuit of peace, justice, freedom, and a life without fear. Their journeys reveal that the strength of their communities has been the key to their transformation.
CREDITS
Director: Paula Recinos
Producer: Nobel Women’s Initiative
Cinematographer / Director of Photography: Paula Recinos
Writer: Paula Recinos
Other Key Roles: The film was commissioned by Nobel Women’s Initiative, in collaboration with Just Associates (JASS), and with support from Global Affairs Canada.
About the Filmmaker
Paula Recinos is a communicator and audiovisual producer, passionate about stories that reveal the collective and transformative strength of Guatemala. Her work moves between documentary, visual narrative, and digital content, with an approach that blends the technical with the human.
As director and producer of the documentary Tapestries of Light, Life and Community in Guatemala, Paula explores the activism of women who, from different territories, weave networks of care, resistance, and change. Her experience spans screenwriting, directing, editing, and creative production.
From planning to post-production, her focus is clear: to tell stories with meaning, sensitivity, and visual power.
Spanish:
Paula Recinos, Directora y Creadora del documental Tejidos de luz, Vida y Comunidad en Guatemala.
Paula Recinos es comunicadora y productora audiovisual, apasionada por las historias que revelan la fuerza colectiva y transformadora de Guatemala. Su trabajo se mueve entre el documental, la narrativa visual y el contenido digital, con una mirada que combina lo técnico con lo humano.
Como directora y productora del documental Tejidos de Luz, Vida y Comunidad en Guatemala, Paula explora el activismo de mujeres que, desde distintos territorios, tejen redes de cuidado, resistencia y cambio. Su experiencia abarca guion, dirección, edición y producción creativa.
Desde la planificación hasta la postproducción, su enfoque es claro: contar historias con sentido, sensibilidad y potencia visual.
More from the Filmmaker
The Story Behind the Documentary:
Across Mesoamerica, corruption, violence, and repression—largely targeting women, indigenous people, and marginalized groups—have been allowed to thrive under corrupt governments.
A historic shift took place in January 2024 when Guatemalans successfully elected anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arévalo as president. Despite months of attempts by the previous government to invalidate the election, Arévalo was sworn in on January 15, 2024, thanks to the unwavering resistance of people’s movements, particularly those led by Indigenous and women’s groups, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum.
In June 2024, Nobel Women’s Initiative, in collaboration with JASS and the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation, hosted a delegation to Guatemala led by Nobel Peace Prize laureates Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Jody Williams. Through this delegation, they engaged with the country’s new leadership, amplified the voices of local women’s organizations in discussions with political leaders, addressed key priorities of marginalized communities, and offered support for sustainable change.
Tapestries of Light, Life, and Community in Guatemala captures some of the inspiring stories shared during this delegation.
The film features English subtitles.
Calls to Action:
✔ Stay Connected! – Sign up for NWI’s newsletter to receive the latest updates on events and initiatives: https://www.nobelwomensinitiative.org/join
✔ Support Local Women’s Organizations! – Get involved by supporting women-led organizations in your community.
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