{{short description|2025 documentary film}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Yanuni | image = Yanuni film poster.jpg | alt = | caption = Promotional poster | director = Richard Ladkani | producer = {{Plainlist| * Juma Xipaia * Leonardo DiCaprio * Anita Ladkani * Richard Ladkani * Jennifer Davisson * Phillip Watson }} | writer = Richard Ladkani | starring = {{Plainlist| * Juma Xipaia * Hugo Loss * Tuppak Tawary Xipaia * Yanuni Xipaia Loss }} | music = {{Plainlist| * Score: H. Scott Salinas * Original Title Song: Katú Mirim }} | cinematography = Richard Ladkani | editing = Georg M. Fischer | studio = {{Plainlist| * Malaika Pictures * Tellux Film * Nia Tero * Appian Way Productions }} | distributor = Submarine Entertainment | released = {{Film date|2025|6|14|Tribeca}} | runtime = 112 minutes | country = {{Plainlist| * Austria * Brazil * United States * Canada * Germany }} | language = {{Plainlist| * Brazilian Portuguese * English }} | budget = | gross = }}
'''''Yanuni''''' is a 2025 documentary film written, directed and co-produced by Richard Ladkani. Leonardo DiCaprio is also one of the co-producer of the film which is about Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia of Xipaya people, who fights to protect tribal lands despite assassination attempts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/film/480039/ |title= Yanuni |first= Richard |last=Ladkani |date=14 July 2025|access-date=December 18, 2025|website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref>
The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on 14 June 2025. It was part of the Closing Night Gala at the festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/476524/ |title= European productions set to make a great first impression at Tribeca |first= Olivia |last=Popp |date=18 April 2025|access-date=December 18, 2025|website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref>
It was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.oscars.org/news/98th-oscarsr-shortlists-12-award-categories-announced |title= 98th Oscars Shortlists in 12 Award Categories Announced |date=December 16, 2025|access-date= December 18, 2025 |website= Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |language=en}}</ref><ref name="osc:hr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-oscars-shortlists-1236452202/ |title= 2026 Oscars Shortlists Revealed|author= Hilary Lewis, Beatrice Verhoeven |website= The Hollywood Reporter |date= December 16, 2025 |access-date= December 18, 2025|language=en}}</ref>
==Summary== The film follows the life and activism of Juma Xipaia, an Indigenous leader from the Brazilian Amazon. The film traces her journey from her community in Xipaya territory to national politics, where she became Brazil's first Secretary of Articulation and Promotion of Indigenous Rights under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. It highlights Juma's role in defending her people and the rainforest against illegal mining, land-grabbing, and corporate exploitation, despite surviving multiple assassination attempts. It also portrays her partnership with Hugo Loss, her husband and head of Special Operations at Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, Brazil's environmental protection agency, who conducts high-risk missions to dismantle illegal mining camps.
Balancing political responsibilities, personal sacrifice, and impending motherhood, Juma's story is presented as both a personal narrative and a broader reflection on Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, and the struggle to protect the Amazon. The film combines intimate storytelling with urgent political themes, framing ''Yanuni'' as both a portrait of resilience and a call to action for future generations.
==Cast== [[File:01 03 2023 - Café da Manhã do Mês Internacional das Mulheres (52719914685).jpg|thumb|Juma Xipaia in 2023]]
* Juma Xipaia * Hugo Loss * Tuppak Tawary Xipaia * Yanuni Xipaia Loss
==Production== The name "Yanuni" refers to Xipaia's unborn daughter, representing the emergence of new life amid a turbulent and challenging environment. Her anticipated arrival also introduces an element of optimism, highlighting the broader significance of the struggle and the individuals who stand to benefit from its outcome.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/yanuni/|title=Yanuni|first=Josh|last=Parham |date=16 June 2025|access-date=21 December 2025|website= Next Best Picture|language=en}}</ref>
The film was produced with the production funding of €895.793 from Austrian Film Institute.<ref name="ten:crew">{{Cite web|url=https://www.crew-united.com/en/Yanuni__354289.html |title=Yanuni, Documentary Feature, 2023-2025, Austria, USA, Canada, Germany|website= Crew United |date= 5 June 2025|access-date=21 December 2025|language=en}}</ref>
Richard Ladkani, the director used drone footage and news clips to present the happenings in the Amazon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenanarchy.com/2025/06/tribeca-2025-review-yanuni-tracks-daring-activist-fighting-pollution-in-the-amazon.html |title=Tribeca 2025 Review: YANUNI Tracks Daring Activist Fighting Pollution in the Amazon |first=Daniel|last=Eagan|date=14 June 2025|access-date=21 December 2025 |website= ScreenAnarchy |language=en}}</ref>
===Music=== The score of the film is composed by H. Scott Salinas, with the support of Argentine composer Tomás Videla, in collaboration with Indigenous leader and musician Eric Terena, who also served as an executive producer of the film. The score features Indigenous vocalist Djuena Tikuna, a Ticuna Brazilian singer, as well as Terena and the Vienna Synchronstage Orchestra. The soundtrack also includes "No Front" ("on the frontline"), a song written and performed by Indigenous rapper and singer Katú Mirim about the illegal extraction of oil and gold from Indigenous territories in the Amazon. The music for ''Yanuni'' was recorded across multiple locations, including Santa Monica, Vienna, São Paulo, and Manaus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2026/01/yanuni-soundtrack-release-1236681906/ |title=Yanuni Soundtrack Release |date=January 2026|access-date=April 1, 2026|website= Deadline Hollywood |language=en}}</ref>
==Release==
''Yanuni'' had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on 14 June 2025 as the closing film of the festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tribecafilm.com/films/closing-night-yanuni-2025 |title= Closing night Yanuni|date=14 November 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= Tribeca Film Festival |language=en}}</ref> It had its International premiere at the Sheffield DocFest on 20 June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sheffdocfest.com/film/yanuni |title= Yanuni|date=20 June 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= Sheffield DocFest |language=en}}</ref>
It opened Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival on 13 October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fox40.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/845467128/labrff-2025-will-open-with-documentary-yanuni-directed-by-richard-ladkani-and-produced-by-leonardo-di-caprio/ |title=LABRFF 2025 Will Open With Documentary 'Yanuni', directed by Richard Ladkani and produced by Leonardo Di Caprio |last= |date=14 September 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= Fox 40 |language=en}}</ref>
It competed at the Savannah Film Festival in Documentary Features on 26 October 2025.<ref name="gen:variety">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/scad-savannah-film-festival-lineup-2025-frankenstein-hamnet-1236537828/ |title='Frankenstein,' 'Hamnet' and 'Bugonia' Added to SCAD Savannah Film Festival Lineup |author= Jazz Tangcay |work=Variety|date=3 October 2025 |access-date=18 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="sav:rel">{{cite web |url=https://filmfest.scad.edu/sites/filmfest/files/2025-10/SCAD-Savannah-Film-Festival-festival-guide-2025.pdf |title=Savannah Film Festival 2025 Guide|publisher=Savannah Film Festival|access-date=18 December 2025}}</ref>
The film competed at the Red Nation Film Festival for Red Nation Awards on 14 November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rednationff.com/yanuni/ |title= Yanuni|date=14 November 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= Red Nation Film Festival |language=en}}</ref>
The film was presented in the True Stories section of the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival on 2 January 2026,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://psfilmfest.org/film-festival-2026/film-finder/yanuni |title= Yanuni|date=3 December 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= Palm Springs International Film Festival |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kesq.com/news/2025/12/02/palm-springs-international-film-festival-announces-lineup-of-168-films/ |title=Palm Springs International Film Festival announces lineup of 168 films |first=Jesus|last=Reyes|date=December 2, 2025 |access-date=18 December 2025 |website= KESQ News Channel 3 |language=en}}</ref> where it won Best Documentary Award Special Mention in Documentary competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/awards/results/sirat-left-handed-girl-sentimental-value-psiff-winners-1235172368/ |title=Oscar Hopefuls 'Sirât,' 'Left-Handed Girl,' and 'Sentimental Value' Top Palm Springs Film Festival|first=Jim |last=Hemphill |date=January 11, 2026|access-date=January 12, 2026|website= IndieWire |language=en}}</ref>
== Accolades == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col"| Award ! scope="col"| Date of ceremony ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Recipient(s) ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row"| Montrose LandxSea Environmental Film Festival | September 14, 2025 | Audience Award | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.landxsea.org/yanuni |title=Yanuni – LandxSea Film Festival|access-date=April 1, 2026|website=LandxSea Film Festival|language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan=2| Jackson Wild Media Awards | rowspan=2| October 2, 2025 | Best Feature Documentary | rowspan=2| ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center" rowspan=2|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jacksonwild.org/2025-media-awards |title=2025 Media Awards |access-date=April 1, 2026|website=Jackson Wild|language=en}}</ref> |- | Grand Teton Award | {{Won}} |- ! scope="row"rowspan=2| Savannah Film Festival | rowspan=2|3 November 2025 | rowspan=1|Best Documentary Feature | rowspan=1|''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center" rowspan=2|<ref name="award:variety">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/scad-savannah-film-festival-2025-award-winners-frankenstein-1236568748/ |title=Guillermo Del Toro's 'Frankenstein' Wins SCAD Film Festival Audience Award|author= Clayton Davis |work=Variety |date=3 November 2025 |access-date=18 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> |- | Best Director | rowspan=1|Richard Ladkani | {{Won}} |- ! scope="row"| Environmental Media Association | November 10, 2025 | EMA Award Documentary Film | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.green4ema.org/ema-awards |title=EMA Awards |access-date=April 1, 2026|website=Environmental Media Association|language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Red Nation Film Festival | rowspan=2|16 November 2025 | rowspan=1|Best Documentary Feature | rowspan=2|''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rednationff.com/2025-winners/ |title= Red Nation Awards: And the Winners Are|date=16 November 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= Red Nation Film Festival |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Films from the South | Doc:South Best Documentary | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfrasor.no/en/news/%C3%A5rets-prisvinnere-3 |title= This year's award winners at the festival|date=16 November 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= Films from the South |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival | October 16, 2025 | Best Feature Documentary | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brasilemhollywood.com.br/manas-e-yanuni-sao-os-grandes-vencedores-do-labrff-2025-veja-a-lista-completa/ |title=Manas e Yanuni são os grandes vencedores do LABRFF 2025 |access-date=April 1, 2026|website=Brasil em Hollywood|language=pt}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan=2| Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival | rowspan=2| October 31, 2025 | Best International Feature Documentary | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center" rowspan=2|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planetinfocus.org/film-fest/awards-juries/ |title=Awards & Juries |access-date=April 1, 2026|website=Planet in Focus|language=en}}</ref> |- | International Eco Hero Award | Juma Xipaia | {{Won}} |- ! scope="row"| 49th São Paulo International Film Festival | October 30, 2025 | Audience Award: Best International Documentary | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mostra.org/jornal-da-mostra/filmes-premiados-da-49a-mostra |title=Filmes premiados da 49ª Mostra |access-date=April 1, 2026|website=Mostra Internacional de Cinema em São Paulo|language=pt}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan=2| International Documentary Association | rowspan=2|6 December 2025 | Best Cinematography | rowspan=1|Richard Ladkani | {{Nom}} | align="center" |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/12/2025-ida-documentary-awards-winners-1236638630/ |title='The Tale Of Silyan,' 'Apocalypse In The Tropics' Earn Top Prizes At IDA Documentary Awards, Boosting Oscar Chances – Full Winners List|first= Matthew|last=Carey |date=6 December 2025|access-date=18 December 2025 |website= Deadline |language=en}}</ref> |- | Best Feature Documentary | rowspan=2|''Yanuni'' | {{Won|Special Mention}} | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://documentary.org/awards2025/nominees |title=41st IDA Documentary Awards Winners & Nominees |date=6 December 2025|access-date=18 December 2025|website= International Documentary Association |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | December 16, 2025 | Best Documentary Feature Film (Shortlisted) | {{Won|Shortlisted}} | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.oscars.org/news/98th-oscarsr-shortlists-12-award-categories-announced |title= 98th Oscars Shortlists in 12 Award Categories Announced |date=December 16, 2025|access-date= December 18, 2025 |website= Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Suncine International Environmental Film Festival | November 23, 2025 | Best Documentary Golden Sun Award | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.suncinefest.com/en/section/62/32-suncine-winners |title=Suncine Winners |access-date=April 1, 2026|website=Suncine International Environmental Film Festival|language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|Palm Springs International Film Festival | 12 January 2026 | Best Documentary Award Special Mention | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center" |<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2026/01/sirat-best-film-palm-springs-international-film-festival-1236679047/ |title='Sirāt' Wins FIPRESCI Prize For Best Film At Palm Springs Film Festival — Full Winners List |first=Glenn |last=Garner|date=11 January 2026 |access-date=12 January 2026 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| DC Environmental Film Festival | February 12, 2026 | Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://substack.com/home/post/p-187768367 |title=DC Environmental Film Festival Awards |access-date=April 1, 2026|website=DC Environmental Film Festival|language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| Cinema for Peace | February 16, 2026 | International Green Film Award | ''Yanuni'' | {{Won}} | align="center"|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hillary-clinton-cinema-for-peace-berlin-kaouther-ben-hania-1236507493/ |title=Hillary Clinton, Widow of Renée Good Attend Berlin's Cinema for Peace Gala as Kaouther Ben Hania Leaves Award Behind |author=The Hollywood Reporter Staff |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 18, 2026 |access-date=April 1, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> |}
==See also== * Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film * Submissions for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://malaikapictures.com/portfolio/yanuni}} * {{IMDb title}} * {{Rottentomatoes}}
Category:2025 films Category:2025 Brazilian films Category:2025 Portuguese-language films Category:2025 English-language films Category:2025 American films Category:2025 documentary films Category:American documentary films Category:Austrian documentary films Category:Brazilian documentary films Category:Canadian documentary films Category:German documentary films Category:Portuguese-language American films Category:Portuguese-language documentary films Category:English-language documentary films Category:2025 Canadian films Category:2025 German films Category:2025 Austrian films Category:Documentary films about Brazilian politicians