Colombian-Belgian writer and director Carlos Rendon Zipagauta will convert his award-winning documentary about celebrated teacher Luis Soriano and his traveling library into a feature length film, reports El Tiempo.
The original documentary, which was made two years ago and won second prize in the documentary category of the Chicago Latin Film Festival, follows the story of one of Colombia’s most celebrated educators who, along with his two donkeys Alfa and Beto, travels between villages in the municipality of La Gloria providing books for the local children.
The mobile library, dubbed “Biblioburro” since the making of the documentary, is now recognized by the Colombian Network of Libraries and receives funding and donations from local businesses.
Rendon Zipagauta will travel to Paris to complete post-production on the documentary, transforming it from an 80 minute piece into an 120 minute feature film. The project will be financed by grants from the French Ministry of International Relations and the Colombian Ministry of Culture.
The film is expected to reach cinemas worldwide later this year.