About us
From Colombia and Aotearoa New Zealand, we are two complementary worlds
Lilián Pallares Campo
Writer, poet, actor and audiovisual creative. She has published the books Ciudad Sonámbula (Sleepwalking City, 2010), Voces Mudas ('Silent Voices', 2011), Pájaro, vértigo ('Bird, vertigo', 2014) and Bestial (2019) and has participated in many anthologies. With her theatrical investigation company Afrolyrics she has created shows which weave together poetry, storytelling, dance, visuals and music. Read more on lilianpallares.com
Charles Olsen
Born in Aotearoa New Zealand, he moved to the United Kingdom in 1981 and to Spain in 2003. A multidisciplinary artist he moves freely between painting, writing, photography and audiovisual work. He has published the poetry collections Sr Citizen (2011), Antípodas (Antipodes, 2016) and most recently La rebeldía del sol (Rebellious Sun, 2022), which was inspired by the Antonio Machado Poetry Residency of Segovia and Soria he received in 2018. His poems are included in the anthologies Te Moana o Reo | Ocean of Languages (The Cuba Press, 2025) and Te Pūrere | The Exodus (Cold Hub Press, 2025). Read more in Read NZ Te Pou Muramura
'It’s such beautiful work, so delicate, so perfectly judged. The dance of words, image and music is extraordinary, a marvel.'
'Una obra maestra.'
'Behind these experiences stand the figures who have built the history of the genre. [...] Charles Olsen and Lilián Pallares intertwined biographies and geographies.'
'The filmmaking is a testament to the power of collaborative vision, crafted through the generous talents of six visual artists from New Zealand, Colombia and Spain. I would encourage any and all to relish this gleaming and worthy winner. An exquisite poetry film.'
Awards and Grants
- Best Poetry Film for Noho Mai, Ó Bhéal International Poetry Film Festival, Ireland, 2020
- 2nd Prize for The Dance of the Brushes, I Festival Flamenco de Cortometrajes, Spain 2010
- Honourable Mention for The Exhibition, FilmArte, 2023
- Honourable Mention for Frozen Cry, Cadence Video Poetry Festival, Seattle, 2022
- XIII and XIV distinctions Poetas de Otros Mundos (‘Poets From Other Worlds’) awarded by the Fondo Poético Internacional (‘International Poetry Fund’) in Spain in recognition of the high quality of their poetic oeuvres.
- Grant for Contemporary Creation 2024-2025 from Madrid City Council for the project Palabras Prestadas Videopoetry
- Grant for National and International Mobility 2026-2027 from Madrid City Council for the project Palabras Prestadas Videopoetry
- Our Little Roses Poetry Fellowship, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, 2022 and 2023
- Artist's Residency Playing in the Sun in CRA Matadero Madrid, Spain, 2020-2021
Festivals
- REELpoetry Film Festival, Houston, United States, 2026
Curated screening Palabras Prestadas | Given Words and in-person talk with director Charles Olsen - ALARI IV Conference on Afro-Latin American Studies (Harvard University), Cali, Colombia, 2026
Screening of six poetry films with poems by Lilián Pallares, Lauren Mendinueta and Xisca Minart, presented by Charles Olsen and Lilián Pallares - Cadence Video Poetry, Seattle, United States, 2025
Craft talk by Charles Olsen and Lilián Pallares; premiere of Wandering Houses at the Frye Art Museum and NorthWest Film Forum - MOON Festival de Videopoesia, Oeiras, Portugal, 2024
Round table moderated by Nuno Miguel Guedes, followed by screening of Noho Mai, A-Dentro, Silencio gris and En una casa flota una nube - Festival Centroamérica Cuenta, Madrid, Spain, 2024
Screening of poetry films made with the girls of the Our Little Roses orphanage, and conversation with writer Gabriela Lovera - Aotearoa Poetry Film Festival, Wellington, New Zealand, 2023
Roundtable How to Film a Poem with Charles Olsen; Lilián and Charles on the festival jury - Brave New Literatures festival (Versopolis), 2022
Charles Olsen presented the documentary Videopoetry in Portugal and Spain - Papaioea Festival of the Arts, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 2021
Presentation of Poesía sin fronteras | Poetry without Borders, curated by Dave Bonta, produced and presented by Charles Olsen
