Jerónimo Rivera is a well-known name in the field of academia and social communication research in Colombia and the region. His long career as a university professor has been ascending and today he is the Director of the Audiovisual Communication and Multimedia program at Universidad de la Sabana in Chía, Colombia.

This success story opened the doors to a new experience that has been enriching for him during the last two years, when he added a very important achievement to his resume: he became a judge for the Golden Globes, which has allowed him to participate in the selection of the best productions of each year.

He is not the only Colombian. The list also includes Colombians Manuel Estévez, Liliana Rendón, Juan Carlos Lemus and Luis Felipe Ragua, who have been selected from a total of 150 jurors who make up the international facet of the awards. Another 150 experts from the United States make up the rest of the team that decides to whom each statuette goes.

In dialogue with Al Dia News, Rivera explained that getting to this point has not been fortuitous. "This is something that is not achieved overnight. It's more than 20 years working in research, writing reviews, publishing books and articles, and being part of committees such as the India Catalina Awards," he explains. This constant effort has led him to be recognized as a relevant voice in cinema.

The evolution of the Golden Globes

The Golden Globes, organized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, have evolved significantly in recent years. According to Rivera, two years ago the organization decided to open up the jury to include film critics and journalists from around the world. "Previously, the jury was composed exclusively of people from Hollywood and journalists who covered film in Los Angeles. Today, there are more than 300 people, half of whom come from other parts of the world. This brings a broader and more diverse look."

That was his first experience. Then he learned of the opportunity through the Círculo Bogotano de Críticos de Cine (CB Cine) to apply to be a Golden Globes juror. He began the application process and in 2023 the president of the awards contacted him directly. He then made his participation for the 2024 Golden Globes process.

"Last year's call for submissions was no longer put out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, but by Dick Clark Productions, which made the process more open. I applied from scratch and was chosen again," Rivera commented.

An enriching experience

According to Rivera, this year the organization improved its processes with a unique platform available to jurors. There, each juror could access the films and series.  In addition, jurors could participate in press conferences and special screenings in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. Strict confidentiality measures ensured that jurors did not come into direct contact with actors or directors, preserving impartiality.

"Unlike other years, the focus this year was much more diverse, moving away from repetitive themes and formulas. This allowed us to approach fantastic productions from different parts of the world, demonstrating that cinema has a long life and many possibilities," he assures.

The impact of Colombian and Latin American cinema

Referring to the situation of the industry in Colombia and the region, Rivera highlighted the growing role of Colombian talent in the global industry. Since the digitization of film, technological gaps have narrowed, allowing productions of the highest quality to emerge from peripheral countries like Colombia. "There are a lot of talented people working on the year's top productions, from visual effects to directing and acting. Many of them are alumni of our universities who have gone on to key positions in films, series, and video games."

An outstanding example is David Gallego, cinematographer of "Embrace of the Serpent", who has achieved international recognition. Rivera also mentions the blockbuster "One Hundred Years of Solitude" as an example of Latin American talent that is setting trends and that in terms of budget has nothing to envy to the big Hollywood productions.

An apprenticeship for students and researchers

For Rivera, being part of the Golden Globes jury is not only a personal achievement, but also an opportunity to enrich his work as a teacher and researcher. "This experience allows me to bring my students closer to the industry and to understand how awards and film marketing work. It is a way to connect academia with the reality of global cinema," he concludes.

Jerónimo Rivera represents an inspiration for those who dream of transforming their passion for film into a meaningful contribution to the industry. His participation in the Golden Globes shows that, with dedication and effort, Colombian talent can reach international stages.