The documentary “Between Mangroves and Maya,” directed by Neil Morales, a biologist and graduate of the Juárez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT), will be part of the first edition of the Tabasco Film Festival, which will take place on April 24 and 25 at the Hilda del Rosario Chamber Theater in the Villahermosa Cultural Center. This event aims to position Tabasco as a national leader in the film industry.
Produced by the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation in collaboration with UJAT, the documentary offers an in-depth look at southeastern Mexico, specifically the inland mangroves of the San Pedro Mártir River. Through a visual and scientific approach, the film reveals the close relationship between these ecosystems and the rise of the Maya civilization, proposing a reinterpretation of the role of nature in human history.
Running for 8 minutes and 14 seconds, “Between Mangroves and Maya” guides the viewer on a journey where ancestral knowledge and contemporary science converge. Through the voices of specialists and a carefully crafted visual narrative, the documentary showcases the biocultural richness of the region, highlighting how mangroves have influenced the construction of identity, knowledge, and civilization, especially in the Wanha’ Biosphere Reserve, located in the municipalities of Balancán and Tenosique.
It is worth mentioning that the Tabasco Film Festival includes short film screenings, talks, and masterclasses, and also features alternative venues such as the Cine Teatro de la Quinta Grijalva, Cinemex, and the Flor de Tabasco Auditorium.
The career of Neil Morales, also a professional photographer, blends science and art. His background in Biology and Environmental Sciences from UJAT, combined with his work as a photography professor, has led him to promote projects that integrate biodiversity, culture, and audiovisual language, such as “The Cats of the Park” and the LATENTE program. His work has been recognized in competitions such as Sentinels of Time 2024 and the Mangrove Photography Awards 2025.
Source: ujat
