Cinema of Paraguay is small, as compared to the neighboring areas of Argentina and Brazil. Paraguayan Cinema has started to change in recent years with films such as, El Toque Del Oboe (1998), Maria Escobar (in 2002), and O Amigo Dunor (in 2005),

which competed for Best Movie in Rotterdam International Film Festival and Hamaca Paraguaya 2006, which was screened at the Cannes film festival, obtaining critical acclaim in Paraguay as well as in abroad.

First public exhibition of cinema in Asuncion took place in June 1900; after five years when the Lumiere brothers discovered the cinema. 10-minute long Alma Paraguaya, by Hipolito Carron, was the first Paraguayan film, made in 1925. The film industry of Paraguay has suffered from lack of equipments, funds and support.

In Paraguay, the history of cinema is old to the early years of the 20th century. The films were silent, black and white productions largely by Argentine and European directors. Paraguayan’s cinema continued in the similar mode throughout the thirties and forties. The important feature of Paraguayan life is the production of Jaun Max Boettner.

Private video films ruled the era of 1980s. Some of these films are extremely faithful representations of Paraguayan life.

The condition has been slowly improving since 1990. In 1990, the Fundación Cinemateca del Paraguay was established and inaugurated the annual Asuncion Film Festival. This foundation changed the face of cinema in Paraguay.

However, most of the Paraguayans watched and loved the famous American and Argentine movies. In next few years, Paraguay may achieve its place in the rich cinematic culture of Latin America.