Peter Bandera

Peter Bandera (born 1958) is a Chilean-born writer-producer based in Los Angeles. He has amassed a diverse award-winning body of works in areas ranging from experimental and mainstream films to television to music.

In 1989, Bandera and his brother Fernando Bandera formed Bandera Brothers Entertainment. The duo released their first production in 1990, a video clip titled Obsession featuring Argentine rocker Miguel Mateos. The video was nominated for Video of the Year by both Billboard and Lo Nuestro Awards.

In 1994, Bandera Brothers' film Johnny Cien Pesos premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film was the first Chilean film to be released theatrically in the United States. It was awarded Best Picture at the MystFest Film Festival in Italy.

In 1996, Bandera Brothers produced the television special,Concierto Por La Vid, the first AIDS benefit for the Hispanic community. It launched on USA Network’s Latin American network. It featured 24 prominent Latin artists who appeared in concert from the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

In 1998, they released Ciro Norte, a critically acclaimed film starring Nastassja Kinski and Axel Jodorowski. Both the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Santiago International Film Festival awarded it Best Experimental Film. Additionally, the New York Museum of Modern Art inducted the film as part of their permanent collection. The release successfully made rounds on the international film festival circuit, being chosen as an official selection by more than 15 festivals.

In 1999, the brothers’ production company released an action-thriller,Diplomatic Siege, featuring Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger and Peter Weller, which premiered on Home Box Office (HBO). The release of Amigos followed the same year at the Havana Film Festival. It earned second place at the Viña del Mar International Film Festival and premiered in the United States on the Independent Film Channel(IFC).

In 2002, Bandera Brothers partnered with Luis Miguel and Viña Ventisquero to introduce a brand of fine wines called Unico Luis Miguel. In Chile, the inaugural 2002 vintage sold out only two months after its release. In 2006, the line launched in the United States and Mexico. The wine is produced exclusively by Chilean winery Glacier and is available in 15 countries.

Along with their film productions and outside ventures, the brothers also delved into the realm of television productions. The two racked up numerous credits, including two episodes of MTV’s 2005 show, Trippin'. Both episodes were filmed in Chile, featuring the show’s executive producer Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore.

The team produced six spots for Ripley Department Stores., featuring Cindy Crawford and Penelope Cruz. The commercials were shot in locations like Madrid and Hollywood. Additionally, Bandera Brothers worked closely with the launch of Ripley Department Stores on the Santiago Stock Exchange. They also produced a series of commercials with Leonor Varela for Marquis clothing.

In 2012, Bandera Brothers returned to their Chilean roots with the film Vermouth y Noche, which documented the last days of rock group, Los Tres.

The pair has produced a number of concerts throughout North and South America, including Carlos Santana’s first concerts in Chile and Peru.

The two brothers have offices in Los Angeles, California as well as Santiago, Chile.

Bandera married model/actress Vaitiare Eugenia Hirshon in 1994, whom he also managed. Vaitiare is a princess of the Cook Islands and is related to the Royal House of Mekea Karika. The two separated in 1997.

• Overkill (Short - producer, co-writer) 2012
• Esperanza Spalding: Smile Like That (Short – Executive Producer) 2012
• Esperanza Spalding: Black Gold (Video Short – Executive Producer) 2012
• Radio Music Society (Executive Producer) 2012
• Trippin' (TV Series Documentary – Supervising Producer – 2 Episodes)

Caleta Condor, Chile (2005)

Chile (2005)

• Wild On… (TV Series – Consulting Producer – 1 Episode)

Wild on Chile (2003)

• F.Y.E! (TV Series Documentary – Producer – 1 Episode)
• Destination Chile (2002)
• Vermouth & Noche (Documentary – Executive Producer) 2012
• Diplomatic Siege (Co-Producer – 1999)
• Ciro Norte (Short – Producer – 1998)
• Concierto Por La Vida (TV Special Documentary – Executive Prodcuer – 1996)
• Johnny One Hundred Pesos (Executive Producer – uncredited – 1994)

• Esperanza Spalding / Radio Music Society

Black Gold, Smile Like that, and City of Roses nominated for Grammy in 2012 as part of the long form music video.

• Johnny 100 Pesos

Winner: Mystfest, Italy

Official Selection: Sundace Film Festival & Tokyo Film Festival

Winner New Films: MoMA New York

Winner New Directors: MoMA New York

• Ciro Norte

Permanent Collection at “The Celeste Bartos Film Preservation Centa – MOMA – New York

Best Experimental Film: 5th Palm Springs International Short Film Festival

Special Mention: Festival Internacional de Cortometrajes de Santiago

Best Experimental Film: 6to Festival Internacional Chileno del Cortometraje, Santiago

• Amigos

Second Place: Festival de Cine Internacional de Vina del Mar

Official Selection: Chicago Latino Film Festival, Havana Film Festival

• Obsesión – Miguel Mateos

Nominated Best Music Video of the Year: MTV

Nominated Best Music Video of the Year: Lo Nuestro Awards

Nominated Best Music Video of the Year: Billboard