Fernando Criollo
Lima, Peru
@monarcacriollo
monarcacriollo@gmail.com
My work explores the intersections between humanity, nature, and memory through dreamlike narratives, investigating how violence, myth, and the divine shape our perception of the world. I am interested in challenging the boundaries between the human and the supernatural, as well as between the rational and magical thinking, using light as a central medium, and sound and metaphor as essential narrative tools.
Co-founder of the Pariacaca Collective. Among my projects are the film “Summits and Ashes,” premiered at the Clermont-Ferrand Festival and invited to New Directors/New Films at MoMA, and the direction of the restoration project “Harawi: Half a Century of Visual Anthropology.” My practice combines research, experimentation with different media, and an approach that seeks to generate visual experiences that invite reflection and a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit.
Education and Grants
2025 | Honorable Mention in the Avant-Garde category at the 2025 Science New Wave for " Dream of a Dove Flying". New York, USA.
2025 | Artistic Residency Grant – Labocine Science New Wave, Paris, France
2025 | Artistic Residency Grant – El Último Respiro. French Alliance and Goethe, Lima, Peru
2023 | Grant for the production of the film “ANIMA MUNDI” – Ministry of Culture of Peru
2022 – 2023 | International Photobook Masterclass “FOLIO22” Grant – PhMuseum, Bologna, Italy
2022 | Artistic Residency Grant “Otro Norte” – La Libertad, Peru
2020 – 2021 | Quechua Studies – PUCP, Lima, Peru
2020 | Winner of the National Short Film Competition for “Summits and Ashes” – Special Mention for Best Cinematography and Best Sound
2019 | Artistic Residency Grant – ISSP, Riga, Latvia
2019 | Cross-Processing in 8mm and 16mm Film – Baltic Analog Lab, Riga, Latvia
2018 | Databending Workshop – Telefónica Foundation, Lima, Peru
2017 | “La Jaula” – Online Workshop with Julián Barón, Spain
2015 – 2016 | Latin American Master’s in Contemporary Photography – Centro de la Imagen, Lima, Peru
2009 – 2011 | Professional Photography Program – IPAD, Lima, Peru
Professional Experience
2025 | Founder of the visual creation workshop “El Volcán”
2025 | Director of the official music video “Automatique” by Caos.808
2025 | Sound editing and mixing for “Food for Everyone: Deities, Nature and Humans” by Prin Rodriguez. Winner Poy Latam 2025.
2024 | Development of the film “Anima Mundi” – Lima, Peru
2024 | Director of Photography for the development of “Los Espectadores” by Alondra & Yuri
2023 | Director of Photography for the development of “El Niño Sin Milagro” by Felipe Esparza
2022 | Director of the official music video “Impro 8” by Dafne Castañeda
2022 | Experimental work “Seuj” within the Otro Norte Program
2020 – 2024 | Director of the restoration project “Half a Century of Visual Anthropology” – Films by César A. Vivanco
2021 | Director and premiere of the short film “Summits and Ashes” by Fernando Criollo
2021 | Director of Photography for “A Cielo Abierto” by Felipe Esparza. Premiere IFFR, Rotterdam.
2019 | Director of Photography for the feature film “Laguna Negra” by Felipe Esparza. Premiere IFFR, Rotterdam.
2015 – 2023 | Freelance photographer at the Museo Máximo Laura – Reproduction of textile works
2015 – 2019 | Freelance photographer at Somos magazine – Portraits
2014 – 2016 | Freelance photographer at the National Superior School of Dramatic Arts – Portraits, advertising
Exhibitions
2025 | “Quyllur Alfa” – Porto Photography Biennial, Portugal
2025 | “Anima Mundi” – Labocine THE GIANT WORLD program, New York, USA
2024 | “Summits and Ashes” – Labocine MOUNTAIN PANORAMA program, New York, USA
2023 | “The Birth of Antares” – PhMuseumDays Festival, Bologna, Italy
2023 | “The Birth of Antares” – PhMuseum Gallery, Bologna, Italy
2022 | “Summits and Ashes” – 27th Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, Switzerland
2022 | “The Birth of Antares” – Vannes Photos Festival, France
2022 | “The Birth of Antares” – Gomma Grant Finalist, USA
2022 | “Summits and Ashes” – REGARD – Saguenay International Short Film Festival, Canada – WINNER – AMERICANA
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival, Brazil
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – Linea d’Ombra Festival, Salerno, Italy
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – La Plata International Independent Film Festival, Argentina
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – Tabor Film Festival, Croatia
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – Lille International Short Film Festival, France
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – Psarokokalo International Short Film Festival, Greece
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, France
2021 | “Summits and Ashes” – 50th New Directors/New Films at MoMA, New York, USA
2020 | “Uku Pacha” – Group exhibition at La Nuu Festival, Barcelona, Spain
2018 | “In Other Image, When Words Fail” – Group exhibition, National Library of Singapore
2018 | “Uku Pacha: Inner World” – Solo exhibition, Ryoichi Jinnai, Lima, Peru
2016 | “Entropies of Memory and the Present” – Group exhibition, Centro de la Imagen, Lima, Peru
2016 | “Understanding the World without Words” – Group exhibition, Larcomar Gallery, Lima, Peru