People

Digno is an Ecuadorian lawyer and pre-doctoral researcher (FPI-MINECO) at the University Carlos III of Madrid. His areas of interest include rights of nature, ecocentrism, legal pluralism, intercultural interpretation and international courts of human rights. In RIVERS, as an associate researcher, his work is focused on the influence of the anthropocentrism and ecocentrism in the reasoning of the international courts of human rights. Specifically, in the framework of his doctoral thesis, he studies the argumentation about the relationship between the Rights of Nature and the Human Rights, present in the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (this doctoral research work is framed within the project, “Judges in Democracy, the Political Philosophy of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights” leading by the professor Isabel Wences).

Diego is a Guatemalan sociologist with a Master’s degree in social science from the École de Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), Paris. He has worked for more than 10 years on qualitative research and multimedia projects in academia, international cooperation projects and as an investigative journalist.

His main research focus is the politics of water conflicts in Guatemala, and has worked on critical assessments on: the public management of water, the water law, the human right to water, extractivism, and case studies about water distribution and inequality in urban spaces.

As a part of the RIVERS team, Diego is mainly in charge of coordinating the production of the RIVERS Research Documentary, as a way to promote science communication of the RIVERS’ key findings.

Indigenous Gunadule woman from the community of Caimán Nuevo in Urabá Antioquia. Since 2015, Olowaili has been serving as an audiovisual artist and cultural facilitator at SentARTE, art with purpose, an enterprise with which she has been working through co-creation to promote the visibility, social integration, and safeguarding of her culture and other diverse cultures, achieving significant recognition and success at both national and international levels.

Simultaneously, she works on projects within her production company, SentARTE, art with purpose, and is also part of the production and communications team for Daupará, a showcase of indigenous cinema and video in Colombia.

Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Pedagogy and Cultural Diversity, specifically in the field of Mother Earth.

Principal CEO of Choclo Audiovisual. She has been involved since its inception in 2009 in the direction, production, and coordination of the audiovisual programming of Daupará – Indigenous Film and Video Exhibition in Colombia. Currently, she is part of the coordination team for the development of its streaming platform. She has also worked as a general producer for the TV series “El buen vivir” at the Natibo Foundation.

She is a communicator, audiovisual producer, and filmmaker. She specializes in audiovisual heritage management and holds a master’s degree in Cultural Management. Her work has focused on communicative and cultural consultancy within the Movimiento Indígena Colombiano, currently within the Instancia de Decisión de los Pueblos y Comunidades Indígenas – IDPCI del Sistema General de Regalías y la Confederación Indígena Tayrona – CIT.

She is a founding partner of the transmedia content production company with a focus on Latin American musical practices, Diario Sonoro Latinoamericano. In addition, she works as a lecturer at the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Bogotá and is involved in the audiovisual production of the Raíces Bogotá Andina Festival.

Prasiit Sthapit (b. 1988) is a visual storyteller based in Kathmandu. His works explore the politics of being a Nepali by scratching its past and the resultant present. He is currently associated Fuzz Factory Productions, a multimedia collective based in Kathmandu, photo.circle, a platform for photography in Nepal and Photo Kathmandu. He is also the director of Fuzzscape, a multi-media music documentary project.

Barkha Mukhia is a visual storyteller based in Kathmandu. Her pursuits center on employing multimedia techniques to depict human experiences from a distinct vantage point shaped by her experiences. In 2019, she earned the esteemed Film South Asia Fellowship, followed by the British Council’s “Gender Grant” in 2020. Barkha has assumed roles as a writer, director, DOP, digital artist, and editor across numerous documentaries, ad films, and music videos for the past decade. Her inaugural short film was screened at Pinewood Studios in the UK, Raleigh Studios in Hollywood (part of the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions), and the Museum of Creative Minds (Shanghai Shorts – Shanghai, China). Notably, her feature documentary had its premiere at FSA22′. Presently, she remains engaged with her multimedia collective situated in Kathmandu.

Manjit Lama is a dedicated individual with a passion for storytelling and visual communication. Hailing from Nepal, he embarked on his journey in the world of media and filmmaking with a keen interest in documenting stories that resonate with diverse audiences.

With a background in business studies and a Higher Secondary Graduate degree under his belt, Manjit brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking to his work. Over the course of eight years, he has honed his skills as a documentary filmmaker, videographer, and editor, consistently delivering high-quality content that captivates and inspires.

Throughout his career, Manjit has tackled a wide range of subjects, from cultural explorations to social issues, always striving to shed light on the human experience. His work showcases a keen eye for detail, a deep understanding of narrative structure, and a commitment to authenticity.

When he’s not immersed in the world of filmmaking, Manjit enjoys exploring the rich cultural heritage of Nepal, seeking inspiration from the vibrant landscapes and diverse communities that surround him.

Ran Subba Gurung hails from Nepal’s indigenous Gurung community and holds a degree in journalism & mass communication. She dedicates her career to the development sector, focusing on women, children, & marginalized communities affected by disasters (earthquakes, landslides, & floods). She mostly works in close coordination with local government authorities.

Fluent in Gurung, Nepali, & English, she is a key translator for the RIVERS team. She ensures clear communication between local communities & project teams. She also serves as a research assistant gathering essential data within the community. Her understanding of the community’s unique local customs, traditions, and social dynamics ensures that the information shared align with local values, practices and are also culturally appropriate and respectful.

With extensive experience in gathering first-hand information from the ground, she helps identify the specific needs enabling tailored and effective plans and interventions.