Feature Film Human Rights In Development/Production LGBTIQ+ Politics and society

Fighting a Pink Plague

Directed by:

Pablo Rivas

Produced by:

Sebastián Lavados

Production Company:

Trino Films / Athuel Films

Contact:

sebastian@trinofilms.cl

  • Format

    4K, HD, Hi8, VHS

  • Duration

    85 min.

  • Country

    Chile

Synopsis

In 1993, invited by Cecilia, his doctor mother, the director filmed the testimony of Pablo, one of her HIV-positive patients, who later became a prominent activist. Based on this event, the film examines 40 years of the epidemic in Chile and explores how, despite past struggles, the stigma and challenges surrounding this issue still persist.

Team

  • Pablo

    Rivas

    Director

    Pablo Rivas (Santiago, 1981) is a Chilean director and editor based in France. In 2020, he wrote and directed the documentary short Hypothesis on the War in Valparaíso, which won the Best Short Film award at the Viña del Mar International Film Festival. That same year, he was selected as a director for Buenos Aires Talents. In 2016, he directed and edited the short film The Future of Work for the OECD. In 2012, he wrote and directed the short film Old Spanish Tango in Paris, which was broadcast on Canal+ and selected for international festivals (Chicago Latino, Kinofest, Exground). His first feature-length documentary: Fighting a Pink Plague (formerly The Fight of the Invisibles).

  • Sebastián

    Lavados

    Producer

    (France, 1986), a multifaceted film professional whose career spans various roles, including creative director, screenwriter, and producer. He studied at the CIEVyC film school (Argentina), the ICEI at the University of Chile, and the Gotham Writers Workshop (New York). He directed and produced the short films The Living Abyss (2014), created in Paris, and Bahauddin (2014), filmed in Cyprus, both selected for international festivals. He served as executive producer for Absence (2018, Havana Film Festival), directed by Claudio Marcone, and for the documentaries Volcano (2024, Belgium, Millenium FF) by Stéfanne Prijot and Synchrony (2024, HotDocs) by Caro Bloj.

Technical Info

Release Year: 2025 / 2026
Format: 4K, HD, Hi8, VHS
Duration: 85 minutes
Country/Countries: Chile
Production Status: Production
Director: Pablo Rivas
Producer: Sebastián Lavados
Instagram: @trino.films

Awards and Official Selections

Santiago Lab, SANFIC, 2015
Producers Workshop Central-Southern Zone, Chiledoc, 2017
ARCA, Development Workshop, 2018
Sanfic Net, SANFIC, 2018
Documentary Script Fund, 2018
CORFO Development Fund, 2019
Documentary Production Fund, 2025

Other Films & Series