Gustavo Letelier is a renowned Chilean director with a diverse portfolio of films released globally and praised by top press outlets. He currently serves as the President/CEO of Amerindia Films in Chile, a position he has held since its inception.
As an independent scriptwriter, director, and producer, Letelier has been active in the industry since 1985, working on both sides of the Atlantic in New York and Chile. During the 1980s, he resided in New York City, where he pursued graduate film programs at NYU and New School University.
Letelier's early work includes a series of awarded shorts and documentaries, including 'One', 'The Grey Circumstance', 'Echoes', and 'Intruder In The Park'. Upon returning to Chile, he continued to produce and direct shorts and documentaries, such as 'Aprendiendo a Ser Feliz' (Learning Happiness),'Los Niños Y Los Libros' (Children and Books),and 'Sombras Postreras' (Late Shadows).
In addition to his documentary work, Letelier has also produced musical clips for the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile and the National Ballet Company, which were broadcast on major Chilean TV networks.
Letelier made his feature film debut with 'Hasta En Las Mejores Familias' (released as Even in the Best of Families in the USA home entertainment market),a film that was invited to international festivals such as La Habana, Lérida, and Biarritz.
Following the success of his debut feature, Letelier went on to create experimental shorts before making his second feature film, 'La Estacion Ausente' (The Absent Season),in 2004. The film was released theatrically and on DVD in Chile and internationally, and was invited to key festivals.
In 2013, Letelier re-released a re-edited version of his debut feature, titled 'Family Virtues', in the US home entertainment market. Two years later, he launched his new feature film, the acclaimed LGBT movie 'El Destello de la Luna' (Shining Moon),which premiered theatrically in New York and received rave reviews from critics, including the NY Times.
'El Destello de la Luna' went on to win top honors at festivals in India, becoming the first Chilean film to do so. The film is currently available worldwide on streaming platforms such as Amazon, iTunes, and others.
In 2019, Letelier completed his new feature film, 'Pelícano', based on the classical homonymous play by Swedish author August Strindberg. The film has started its festival circuit, with official selections and nominations in various countries.
Throughout his career, Letelier has also developed a successful career as a film professor and executive, co-founding several key cultural institutions in Chile, including the National Symphony Performing Center, Cultural Foundation Amerindia, Radio Universidad de Chile, and International Film Seminar/Labs Ibermedia.
Letelier has also consulted on film projects in the US, Canada, and Europe, and has composed classical and film music, with works released on platforms such as Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. His score for 'La Estación Ausente' was nominated for the World Soundtrack Awards in Belgium in 2005.
Currently, Letelier serves as a member of the Board of the Universal Film Festivals Organization, based in London.
