Today, we are launching part 1 in a 3 part series to take you behind the scenes of making the hit international feature film ALIX, made by an incredible group of Stage 32 members. Over the next couple of weeks we're going to hear from the producers, director and actors in the Stage 32 community on the Stage 32 blog, in the community through AMA's (Ask Me Anythings) and on Social Media. We do hope you tune in and follow this unique peek behind the curtain of a groundbreaking international film.

As you know, at Stage 32, we celebrate the creatives who are using their talents to tell bold, socially impactful stories. That’s why we are thrilled to spotlight ALIX which is a stunning and deeply moving feature film from writer-director Ana Maria Hermida (THE FIREFLY), which follows a young girl navigating the brutal realities of war in the Colombian jungle. The film, featuring a spectacular performance by Cristal Aparicio which we all know from her performance in SOUND OF FREEDOM, intertwines the lives of Alix, a child soldier, and Conejo (Roberto Urbina, NARCOS), the weary soldier she is forced to follow.

What makes ALIX even more special to us? It’s a film that was brought to life by members of our Stage 32 community, in partnership with Catalyst Studios—a company committed to supporting female and non-binary filmmakers. The executive team at Stage 32, including our very own CEO Richard Botto and Managing Director Amanda Toney, proudly served as Executive Producers on the film, continuing our mission to help independent voices get their stories made.

Many of you may remember our exciting announcement last year about our groundbreaking screenwriting contest with Catalyst Studios, a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop feature films with a focus on social impact (Read about it on Deadline HERE). That partnership was only the beginning. Our collaboration with Catalyst has continued to grow, and we are incredibly proud of the opportunities we are helping to create for our talented community.

Filmed in the lush and challenging environment of the Colombian jungle, ALIX was produced using the country’s robust tax incentives and was shot entirely with a Colombian crew. The film’s journey—from script to screen—is a testament to the power of determination, collaboration, and the drive to tell meaningful stories that matter.

Below is a conversation with ALIX producer and Stage 32 member Lemore Syvan to discuss what drew her to the project, the impact of Catalyst’s female-first mission, and the lessons learned from producing internationally. Lemore will be available to answer any questions you have in the comments below.

After a theatrical debut, ALIX is now availabe to watch on streaming. Please support your fellow Stage 32 filmmakers and watch on demand:

Amazon Prime

Google Play Store

Apple

A Q&A with Producer, Lemore Syvan:

What about Alix made you want to tell this story?

When I first read the screenplay by writer/director Ana Maria Hermida, I couldn't put it down. It was such a beautifully told story of the very harsh reality of children of war. I wanted to make ALIX because I was passionate about bringing this powerful screenplay to the screen.

Can you talk about the importance of Catalyst's female-first mission?

The most important thing is the opportunity Catalyst was able to give women filmmakers. As it turned out on our set, women ran the show so to speak. Cinematographer, Production Design, Costume Design, Editor, and more.

How did you approach casting? What were the key considerations?

The most important role to cast first and foremost was the role of ALIX. We needed an actress who is young enough to play a child, and mature enough to carry a leading role in a film. We were lucky to find Cristal Aparicio, who became ALIX - her transformation into the character was incredible to see. The rest of the cast fell into place after that. Roberto Urbina, who played Conejo opposite Cristal, had great chemistry with Cristal, and we cast him based on that.

Where did you shoot ALIX, and what led to that decision?

We shot ALIX in the Colombian jungle in Rio Claro. The nearest City, Medellin, is 4 hours away. It was chosen because it was very authentic, straight out of the screenplay.

How did the incentives work, and how did you find your locations?

Incentives work pretty straightforwardly. There is a checklist of documents that you have to submit, like any other incentive program. It is 30% of your budget. There are some things that do not qualify - and costs outside of Colombia do not qualify, but most are included. We made the movie entirely in Colombia, including post, with a Colombian crew, so we benefited greatly from the incentives. The locations were great. We had a great location and production team that made it possible to shoot without any issues. We had no trailers in the jungle but tents and AC's did the job. It was also challenging logistically with generators and cables and lights in the Jungle - but we figured out a system that worked out well. There were thunderstorms and rain almost every other day, so we either shot in the rain, when it worked for the movie, or it rained overnight and stopped when we started shooting. We were very lucky.

If you'd like additional information about shooting in Columbia, you can visit Screen Columbia here.

What were the biggest lessons you learned working on this international production?

I have produced international productions before, so I would say the biggest lesson is to always remember that you are a guest in that country. And so, treat everything- people, the culture, and the process with patience and respect.

What kind of social impact do you hope to create by sharing this film?

I hope to bring awareness to the suffering of Child Soldiers and Child Trafficking.

And, as a reminder, after a theatrical debut, ALIX is now available to watch on streaming.

Please support your fellow Stage 32 filmmakers and watch on demand:

Amazon Prime

Google Play Store

Apple

Watch the full trailer of ALIX HERE, or click on the image below!

And, as a reminder, Lemore is available for comments or questions below!

About the Catalyst Mission

Catalyst Studios was formed to deliver a slate of high-quality, fiscally conscious, commercially successful films with broad and identifiable audiences while giving new and visionary filmmakers unique opportunities that have previously been scarce. The current Catalyst slate covers a diverse collection of films, from aspirational journeys to action-based adventures and psychological thrillers. The Catalyst mission for this slate is to shine a light on female talent, promoting women in every role of the process in front of and behind the camera. By making a real investment in our mission, Catalyst has provided opportunities to incredibly talented women that the industry has either ignored or overlooked. Catalyst is funding projects that give female filmmakers a platform to showcase their creativity and skill in a variety of ways within a range of works. We intend to bring stories to life by employing work practices that have an aspirational message and carry values that may lead to social impact. By focusing on underrepresented talent in the industry, Catalyst is merging great stories with highly capable and creative hands in a work environment that we hope will become the blueprint for the future.

To learn more about Catalyst Studios, click here.

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