Related videos:
The students of the 2024-2025 Regular Course at the International School of Film and Television (EICTV), located in San Antonio de los Baños, have publicly expressed their growing concern regarding what they describe as a health, food, and institutional governance crisis that directly impacts the quality of life and the educational process at the institution.
In a statement released on social media, the students assert that the lack of attention, commitment, and communication from the current administration has resulted in unsanitary conditions, food shortages, and the deterioration of basic infrastructure.
"We are facing a critical situation of unsanitary conditions and lack of hygiene due to the absence of water in the rooms. The quality of food has deteriorated, and there is no access to drinking water once the dining area is closed," the document reports.
In addition, they warn about the situation of the center's workers, many of whom have not received their salaries for several months, creating an oppressive work environment that also affects the daily functioning of the school.
A community that does not give up
Despite acknowledging the challenging economic reality of Cuba, the student body emphasizes that this situation cannot justify institutional neglect, especially when there are available resources and an international support network ready to contribute to the sustainability of the project.
"The demands are firm and will persist until they are heard and addressed," they assert, calling for clear and effective communication with the school authorities and transparent dialogue with the entire educational community.
The statement concludes with a call for "the utopia on which the school has been built not to be relegated to the inoperability of a few."
A longstanding conflict
This is not the first time that poor living conditions at the EICTV have been reported. In 2023, the writer and graduate Wendy Guerra publicly alerted about internal protests at the institution due to lack of supplies, theft, and evasion of responsibilities by the management.
"The administration has avoided the issue without addressing the students or showing any concern for their situation," Guerra stated, who also mentioned student demands for the Fundación del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano to appoint a foreign director who would not be influenced by internal political interests.
On that occasion, there was also a denunciation of the contrast between the precarious situation of the students and the frequent trips and privileges enjoyed by the administration, especially by the director Susana Molina and the president of the Foundation, Alquimia Peña.
A school with a legacy, now in crisis
The EICTV was conceived as a cultural project for Latin American integration, with the support of figures like Gabriel García Márquez, and for decades it has been a benchmark for training filmmakers in Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
Today, his own students warn that this legacy is at risk, not due to a lack of talent or willingness, but because of poor management, a lack of transparency, and the institutional inability to ensure minimal conditions of dignity and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Crisis at the International School of Film and TV of Cuba
What is the current situation at the International School of Film and TV in Cuba?
The International School of Film and TV (EICTV) is facing a health and food crisis, with unsanitary conditions, a lack of drinking water, and a decline in the quality of food. Students have reported a lack of attention and commitment from the administration, which has impacted their quality of life and the educational process at the institution.
What do the students of the EICTV demand?
Students demand better communication with school authorities, attention to their demands for decent conditions, and transparent dialogue. They also request that their grievances be heard and that measures be taken to improve the current situation, without justifying institutional neglect.
How does the crisis affect the workers of the EICTV?
Many workers at the center have not received their salaries for several months, which has created an oppressive work environment that negatively affects the daily operations of the school. This situation has also been part of the complaints made by the students.
Have similar problems occurred in other institutions in Cuba?
Yes, the crisis at the EICTV is part of a larger issue affecting various sectors in Cuba. Educational institutions and basic services in Cuba are also facing critical situations, such as a lack of food and water, reflecting an economic and management crisis that directly impacts the daily lives of citizens.
Filed under: