Uruguay Triumphs at Expo Osaka with Stunning Animated Film Showcase

In a new milestone in its participation in Expo Osaka 2025, Uruguay added a high-impact cultural activity that fused artistic sensibility, universal narrative, and culture. This time, in an activity coordinated by Uruguay XXI for Uruguay Audiovisual, two screenings of the multi-award-winning animated short film Los Carpinchos, directed by renowned Uruguayan filmmaker and artist Alfredo Soderguit, were presented. The work is based on his book of the same name, which has already been translated into 17 languages, including Japanese.

The screenings took place in the Uruguayan pavilion’s audiovisual space and were warmly received by the local audience, including students from several schools in Osaka. The piece was specially chosen for this context because of its inclusive and universal nature: it has no dialogue, subtitles, or narration, allowing it to be enjoyed without language barriers.

The story, full of metaphors about coexistence, empathy, and respect for diversity, generated a strong connection with the audience. Los Carpinchos tells how, at the start of hunting season, a family of capybaras seeks refuge in a chicken coop. There, the chickens look at them suspiciously. Still, the natural curiosity of the youngest members of both species shows an unexpected friendship that will transform their coexistence and open the way to new ways of understanding each other.

After each performance, copies of the Japanese edition of the book Los Carpinchos were given away, sealing the emotional bond created by the screening. This gift deepened the experience and positioned Uruguayan children’s literature as a bridge to new cultures.

The activity, which will be repeated on future days of the Expo, promotes the internationalization of Uruguayan talent in areas such as animation and illustration.

The short film, co-produced by Uruguay, France, and Chile (Estudio Palermo, Autour de Minuit, and Pájaro), has had an impressive international career. The jury has awarded it and the public at leading festivals such as the New York International Children’s Film Festival, PIAFF in Paris, Travelling in Rennes, Be Green in Italy, Chilemonos in Santiago, and Le Cri du Court in France. It also received special mentions in Canada and was a finalist in the Quirino Awards for Ibero-American Animation. It was also part of the official selection of the prestigious Annecy Festival 2025 in the Young Audience category.

Uruguayan Alfredo Soderguit is a key figure in Ibero-American animation. With a career spanning more than 20 years as an illustrator, director, and producer, his work has been featured on platforms such as Netflix and HBO and has received prestigious international awards. The Internationale Jugendbibliothek in Munich also awarded his book Los Carpinchos, the prestigious White Raven seal.

With this initiative, Uruguay reinforces its presence at Expo Osaka as a creative, sensitive, and connected reference point for universal human values.