Content Americas Copro Pitch: Double Dose of Brazilian Genre, Political Comedies and True Stories From Caponeto-Fremantle, Vertice 360, Druzina Content

by

In its third iteration, Content Americas – a Miami-based event focusing on the Latin and Hispanic markets – is still working to connect creative communities in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal with the broader global industry. One of their main efforts is the Copro Pitch, designed to simplify international co-production agreements and showcasing projects from Caponeto-Fremantle, Vertice 360, and Druzina Content this year.

From over 60 entries, the five projects chosen for Copro Pitch 2025 cover diverse themes and creative styles. Argentina’s “Listos Para Rodar” brings a documentary series exploring the psychological and physical stress of professional sports in “Insane” to Miami. Meanwhile, Brazil wagers on the futuristic sci-fi concept of “Tales of Tomorrow: Prelude to a Revolution,” produced by Bactéria Filmes and Druzina Content, as well as the contemporary Western titled “The Guardians,” created by Cinefilm.

Three projects vying for a $20,000 prize that can be used towards marketing to boost development and pre-sales promotion are “The Perfect Target” by Caponeto from Mexico, and “Lucio’s Treasure,” offered by Vertice 360 from Spain.

In this version, I aimed to make the sentence more conversational and easy to understand while preserving the original meaning.

Mexican production company Caponeto collaborates with Fremantle, the global leader in producing and distributing popular shows like “Got Talent” and “Idols,” on “The Perfect Target.” This innovative series aims to blend advertising and politics using humor as a lens. Producers note that Latin America, and indeed the world, is full of politicians who often court controversy and become comic figures. In this era of heightened awareness, a conservative movement is gaining momentum, reminiscent of a tsunami. The show offers a sharp, entertaining blend of comedy and suspense, but at its heart, it’s a character-driven tale about two strong-willed individuals who must cooperate despite their conflicting egos, regardless of their political leanings.

Alberto Rull, a seasoned Spanish producer known for his works like ‘El Ultimo Verano’ and ‘Colza, the Invisible Enemy’, will present ‘Lucio’s Treasure’ at Content Americas. The show centers around Lucio, who masquerades as a bricklayer in Paris but secretly manages the largest traveler’s check counterfeit network, putting the stability of the First National City Bank of America at risk. Rull believes this series has potential to become a successful international production. He says, ‘It’s packed with all the key ingredients: the story unfolds in 1980s Paris, features involvement from the CIA, Scotland Yard, and prominent French figures, and the lead character is a Spanish exile and charismatic anarchist.’

Tales of Tomorrow: Prelude to a Revolution” is an expansion of the universe from the 2021 Brazilian indie film, “Tales of Tomorrow,” which has been screened in more than 30 festivals and won numerous awards at U.S. genre festivals. Luciana Druzina, series producer and CEO of Druzina Content as well as a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, shares with EbMaster that science fiction holds a significant audience in Brazil and contributes to some of the highest-grossing films in Latin America. The “Prelude to a Revolution” provides an opportunity for Druzina and her team to create captivating stories using their unique style, locations, and culture.

At this year’s Copro Pitch, the second Brazilian project, titled “The Guardians,” delves into the contemporary Western drama genre and promises to hook viewers from the get-go. This six-episode series focuses on a First Nation family living in the Amazon rainforest heartland, addressing pressing environmental and political issues in the region. The producers of this show describe it as a powerful commentary on current global issues, offering a fresh viewpoint on the international criminal economy by shedding light on the less-discussed issue of land grabbing in an unprecedented manner.

Insane” promises to offer a behind-the-scenes perspective into the minds of daring athletes who test the limits of human capability and endurance. Although many cast members remain unannounced, the producers have shared with EbMaster that the debut episode will zero in on the Benavides Brothers, renowned Dakar motorcycle racers from Argentina.

A brief breakdown of CoPro Pitch 2024 titles:    

Insane (Listos Para Rodar, Argentina)

The series, produced by the creators of “Los González,” “Nahum” and “La Cruda,” delves into the minds of extreme athletes, showing how they convert fear into victory using unique mental strategies. By sharing captivating narratives and expert advice, it exposes the price of greatness and provides useful tips for anyone confronting their own obstacles. Instead of merely inspiring, it serves as a manual to tap into one’s inner strength and maximize human potential.

Lucio’s Treasure (Vertice 360, Spain)

In the ’80s Paris, “Lucio’s Treasure” is a captivating account of Lucio Urtubia, a resourceful Spanish bricklayer who transformed into a daring counterfeiter. Driven by a relentless passion for justice, Lucio devises an audacious plan to challenge Citibank by distributing fake Travelers’ Checks globally. Persistently hunted by the CIA, this engaging series delves into the struggle between defiance and survival, showcasing how one man’s genius can outsmart a vast system. Co-produced by Vertice 360 and Red Arrow International.

Tales of Tomorrow: Prelude to a Revolution (Bactéria Filmes and Druzina Content, Brazil)

In the year 2169, Andrea endeavors to breach the fortified barrier encircling Porto 01. Her primary mission is to annihilate the Core, a device that manufactures countless virtual realities and disseminates them as a drug-like substance among the city’s inhabitants. To achieve her goal, she requires the aid of Luana, who resides in the year 2009. This captivating narrative unfolds within the universe of “Tales of Tomorrow,” a 2021 Brazilian indie film directed by Pedro de Lima Marques and produced by Druzina Content, a prominent production company with a global presence in more than 60 countries.

The Guardians (Cinefilm*, Brazil)

As a cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows:

Hailing from the Umã territory nestled within the lush Amazon Rainforest, we, the First Nations, band together to form an armed patrol, standing resolute against the brutal violence that has plagued our community. Among the courageous defenders are three remarkable women – Laura, Vitória, and Neide. Their paths intertwine as they navigate the challenges of resistance and coexistence. “The Guardians” emerged victorious in the pitch competition at the Serial Bridges Rio workshop, a collaborative effort between the Series Mania Institute from France, RioMarket, and Projeto Paradiso.

The Perfect Target (Caponeto & Fremantle, Mexico)

A successful yet arrogant advertising executive finds himself compelled to endorse a tycoon as a presidential candidate, all while an enigmatic stalker menaces his agency and personal reputation. This gripping narrative is the creation of Diego Martínez Ulanosky, renowned for Netflix’s “Unstoppable” and Disney’s “Soy tu Fan,” and the producer of the upcoming Sundance 2025 title, “The Virgin of the Quarry Lake.

Read More

2025-01-21 16:47