Yanuni


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.
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.
It was shortlisted for the Academy Award for [Best Documentary Feature Film|Best Documentary Feature Film] at the 98th Academy Awards.

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

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.
The film was produced with the production funding of €895.793 from Austrian Film Institute.
Richard Ladkani, the director used drone footage and news clips to present the happenings in the Amazon.

Music

The score of the film is composed by H. Scott Salinas and original title song by Katú Mirim. The vocals were given by Djuena Tikuna, a Ticuna Brazilian singer, and Katú Mirim. a Brazilian rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress.

Release

Yanuni had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on 14 June 2025 as the closing film of the festival. It had its International premiere at the Sheffield DocFest on 20 June 2025.
It opened Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival on 13 October 2025.
It competed at the Savannah Film Festival in Documentary Features on 26 October 2025.
The film competed at the Red Nation Film Festival for Red Nation Awards on 14 November 2025.
The film was presented in the True Stories section of the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival on 2 January 2026, where it won Best Documentary Award Special Mention in Documentary competition.