Films

Film SynopsisWild Wealth, is a documentary that depicts the wealth of biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean in images not previously seen. Produced by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and National Geographic.

The film crews traveled from the Andes to the Amazon to tell five stories that illustrate the need to protect the region's natural resources. With striking images, the film shows why Latin America and the Caribbean is considered a biodiversity superpower. Six of the world's 10 most biodiverse countries are in the region, which is home to 33 percent of the world's mammals, 35 percent of reptiles, and half of tropical forests.

The documentary also recounts how communities work together to maintain a balance between economic, environmental, and social objectives, conserving in this way the environment and the region's resources for future generations and using it wisely as a source of economic development.

Wild Wealth presents examples of sustainable biodiversity conservation in the areas of tourism development, agriculture, fisheries, job creation, and environmental protection.

In Guanacaste, Costa Rica, the documentary shows how a first class resort located near a national park helps to protect biodiversity while generating jobs for local people.

In the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, it tells the story of a cosmetics company that works with indigenous communities to market açaí fruit in a sustainable and responsible manner.

In the Andes, it presents the experiences of local farmers who produce organic quinoa, a traditional grain, and export their crop to international markets to create new sources of employment in the highlands.

On Ecuador's Pacific coast, the documentary shows how small-scale and industrial fishers are seeking to put into practice sustainable practices for tuna fishing as a way of ensuring productive catches without depleting limited resources.

Finally, the documentary describes how Rio de Janeiro's government is managing the
forest areas around the city to control erosion and flooding and establish a balance between
urban life and the protection of vital green spaces.

Established in 1959, the IDB is the largest source of financing for development in
Latin America and the Caribbean. The Bank provides loans, grants, technical assistance and
conducts research on key issues for social and economic development in the region.
Its shareholders are 48 member countries, including 26 Latin American and Caribbean
borrowing member countries, which have a majority ownership of the IDB.