Yanuni

Yanuni
Promotional poster
Directed byRichard Ladkani
Written byRichard Ladkani
Produced by
Starring
  • Juma Xipaia
  • Hugo Loss
CinematographyRichard Ladkani
Edited byGeorg M. Fischer
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed bySubmarine Entertainment
Release date
  • June 14, 2025 (2025-06-14) (Tribeca)
Running time
112 minutes
Countries
  • Austria
  • Brazil
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Germany
LanguageEnglish

Yanuni is a 2025 documentary film written, directed and co-produced by Richard Ladkani. Leonardo DiCaprio is also one of the co-producer of the film which is about Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia of Xipaya people, who fights to protect tribal lands despite assassination attempts.[1]

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on 14 June 2025. It was part of the Closing Night Gala at the festival.[2]

It was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.[3][4]

Summary

The film follows the life and activism of Juma Xipaia, an Indigenous leader from the Brazilian Amazon. The film traces her journey from her community in Xipaya territory to national politics, where she became Brazil's first Secretary of Articulation and Promotion of Indigenous Rights under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. It highlights Juma's role in defending her people and the rainforest against illegal mining, land-grabbing, and corporate exploitation, despite surviving multiple assassination attempts. It also portrays her partnership with Hugo Loss, her husband and head of Special Operations at Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, Brazil's environmental protection agency, who conducts high-risk missions to dismantle illegal mining camps.

Balancing political responsibilities, personal sacrifice, and impending motherhood, Juma's story is presented as both a personal narrative and a broader reflection on Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, and the struggle to protect the Amazon. The film combines intimate storytelling with urgent political themes, framing Yanuni as both a portrait of resilience and a call to action for future generations.

Cast

Production

The name "Yanuni" refers to Xipaia’s unborn daughter, representing the emergence of new life amid a turbulent and challenging environment. Her anticipated arrival also introduces an element of optimism, highlighting the broader significance of the struggle and the individuals who stand to benefit from its outcome.[5]

The film was produced with the production funding of €895.793 from Austrian Film Institute.[6]

Richard Ladkani, the director used drone footage and news clips to present the happenings in the Amazon.[7]

Music

The score of the film is composed by H. Scott Salinas and original title song by Katú Mirim. The vocals were given by Djuena Tikuna, a Ticuna Brazilian singer, and Katú Mirim. a Brazilian rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress.[8]

Release

Yanuni had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on 14 June 2025 as the closing film of the festival.[9] It had its International premiere at the Sheffield DocFest on 20 June 2025.[10]

It opened Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival on 13 October 2025.[11]

It competed at the Savannah Film Festival in Documentary Features on 26 October 2025.[12][13]

The film competed at the Red Nation Film Festival for Red Nation Awards on 14 November 2025.[14]

The film was presented in the True Stories section of the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival on 2 January 2026,[15][16] where it won Best Documentary Award Special Mention in Documentary competition.[17]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Savannah Film Festival 3 November 2025 Best Documentary Feature Yanuni Won [18]
Best Director Richard Ladkani Won
Red Nation Film Festival 16 November 2025 Best Documentary Feature Yanuni Won [19]
Films from the South Doc:South Best Documentary Won [20]
International Documentary Association 6 December 2025 Best Cinematography Richard Ladkani Nominated [21]
Best Feature Documentary Yanuni Special Mention [22]
Palm Springs International Film Festival 12 January 2026 Best Documentary Award Special Mention Won [23]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ladkani, Richard (July 14, 2025). "Yanuni". Cineuropa. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  2. ^ Popp, Olivia (April 18, 2025). "European productions set to make a great first impression at Tribeca". Cineuropa. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  3. ^ "98th Oscars Shortlists in 12 Award Categories Announced". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Hilary Lewis, Beatrice Verhoeven (December 16, 2025). "2026 Oscars Shortlists Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  5. ^ Parham, Josh (June 16, 2025). "Yanuni". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  6. ^ "Yanuni, Documentary Feature, 2023-2025, Austria, USA, Canada, Germany". Crew United. June 5, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  7. ^ Eagan, Daniel (June 14, 2025). "Tribeca 2025 Review: YANUNI Tracks Daring Activist Fighting Pollution in the Amazon". ScreenAnarchy. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  8. ^ "Yanuni – The Amazon is a Woman". Malaika Pictures. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  9. ^ "Closing night Yanuni". Tribeca Film Festival. November 14, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  10. ^ "Yanuni". Sheffield DocFest. June 20, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "LABRFF 2025 Will Open With Documentary 'Yanuni', directed by Richard Ladkani and produced by Leonardo Di Caprio". Fox 40. September 14, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Jazz Tangcay (October 3, 2025). "'Frankenstein,' 'Hamnet' and 'Bugonia' Added to SCAD Savannah Film Festival Lineup". Variety. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  13. ^ "Savannah Film Festival 2025 Guide" (PDF). Savannah Film Festival. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  14. ^ "Yanuni". Red Nation Film Festival. November 14, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  15. ^ "Yanuni". Palm Springs International Film Festival. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  16. ^ Reyes, Jesus (December 2, 2025). "Palm Springs International Film Festival announces lineup of 168 films". KESQ News Channel 3. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  17. ^ Hemphill, Jim (January 11, 2026). "Oscar Hopefuls 'Sirât,' 'Left-Handed Girl,' and 'Sentimental Value' Top Palm Springs Film Festival". IndieWire. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  18. ^ Clayton Davis (November 3, 2025). "Guillermo Del Toro's 'Frankenstein' Wins SCAD Film Festival Audience Award". Variety. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  19. ^ "Red Nation Awards: And the Winners Are". Red Nation Film Festival. November 16, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  20. ^ "This year's award winners at the festival". Films from the South. November 16, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  21. ^ Carey, Matthew (December 6, 2025). "'The Tale Of Silyan,' 'Apocalypse In The Tropics' Earn Top Prizes At IDA Documentary Awards, Boosting Oscar Chances – Full Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  22. ^ "41st IDA Documentary Awards Winners & Nominees". International Documentary Association. December 6, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  23. ^ Garner, Glenn (January 11, 2026). "'Sirāt' Wins FIPRESCI Prize For Best Film At Palm Springs Film Festival — Full Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
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