"Arena" is the story of a small afro-descendant village in south-western Colombia that supplies the local and regional construction markets with manually dug sand from the river. Tucked in between sugarcane plantations, the river constitutes a fundamental pillar in the village; it is from this that they draw meaning and sustain their community life. Fighting for their right to manually extract sand, the villagers have several times sought to formalise their activity, but without success. However, a competing mining claim is threatening their livelihoods and has now been granted a concession title by the national authorities. 'Arena' follows the villagers as they mobilise and appeal to the government institutions, to defend their livelihoods and their fundamental rights to work, territory, cultural integrity and a dignified life.