As I delve into these captivating narratives, I am struck by the raw power of human resilience and the boundless capacity for creativity. The stories of these filmmakers, hailing from diverse backgrounds, weave together threads of struggle, self-discovery, and cultural exploration.
Under the leadership of newly-appointed producer Eva Ruiz de Chavez, based in Los Angeles, the 20th Monterrey Film Festival is organizing a four-day industry event from September 26-29. This event intends to promote greater collaboration and co-productions between Ibero-America and the United States. The festival itself takes place from September 25 to October 2.
At a recent press conference, Ruiz de Chavez emphasized that: “Monterrey is not only a leading economic power in Latin America, but it also serves as the industrial hub of Mexico. By unveiling our Film Industry sector, we strive to boost Monterrey’s cinematic reputation to reflect its economic acclaim.
Pursuing that objective, Monterrey Industry has created a complete initiative encompassing WIP sessions and ProMeetings. These events are designed to cultivate relationships between content creators and investors, while expanding the possibilities for filmmakers in the international marketplace.
Out of the 102 works in progress currently under production, seven standout titles were chosen following the call for submission.
The ProMeetings function as a bridge, connecting 138 filmmakers with developing projects to industry professionals such as producers, distributors, and financiers from the global market, out of whom eight were chosen for the festival.
This year, we’re emphasizing the strengthening of crucial strategic partnerships for nurturing fresh talents, such as Hervé Aurbon’s involvement with the Cannes Director’s Fortnight, and our team-up with the Latino Film Institute. To clarify, this collaboration enables us to feature works by American Latino filmmakers on platforms like ProMeetings and WIP.
The Festival has formed a partnership with the Los Angeles-based Latino Film Institute (LFI), an alliance that Erika Sabel Flores, the VP of programs and innovation at LFI, describes as “a significant step in our continuous journey to create new opportunities for Latinx filmmakers.
Through collaboration on shared productions, we not only enhance the variety of films available but also create opportunities for Latino content to be recognized and distributed worldwide,” she explained.
This year, two productions from LFI include “The Middle,” a dramatic piece penned by Sylvia Ray based in the U.S., and “Karukinka,” a collaborative effort between Chile and the U.S. by Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz. Both are part of ProMeetings.
As a devoted cinephile, I recently attended an intriguing gathering of the film industry. Topics ranged from the nurturing of raw talent to financial strategies, and crucially, the role and representation of women in our beloved movies.
On the 26th of September, a gathering honoring women in film will transpire, focusing on overcoming hurdles and devising tactics for diversity. Participants in this dialogue will be Maikiko James, senior director at Women in Film, and Christine Davila, founder of LAtinaSquad. Simultaneously, for the first time, an event titled LAtina Squad is set to occur in Mexico. This occasion will serve as a platform for female executives from the U.S. and LATAM to network and establish crucial connections that will shape the future of their respective film industries. Attending executives from the U.S. include Lynette Ramirez, head of development at Bassett Vance Productions, Yira Vilaro, VP of Film and TV at Fabula, Cabrina Quesada, VP of TV Development at Heyday, Panchi Simeto of Orion Pictures, and Jolene Rodriguez from Broken English Productions.
On September 26, a panel discussion will be held, delving into the aspects of talent representation and management across Latin America and the United States. Panelists include Greta Fuentes of Macro, Yvette Herrera from UTA, Joe S. Montifiore of Rafterman Media, and Emerson Machtus. This panel aims to share valuable insights on these topics.
September 27th Event: In the morning, we have an arranged gathering titled “Investment Panel.” This event aims to bridge investors with filmmakers, delving into methods for financing projects across Nuevo León, as well as beyond its borders. The esteemed panelists will include Francisco Escalante, a consultant and education/culture investment strategist, Emerson Machtus, vice president & head of content at BLKBX Originals, and development executive Paul Perez. Additionally, this event will provide an opportunity for networking.
The Extra NEXT and Miradas Nuevo León Panels also feature a discussion on Transborder Co-production, led by film producers Santiago Lopez and Sandino Saravia from Cimarron Cine. This production company, with a presence in Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, boasts impressive credits such as the Oscar-nominated “Society of the Snow.
In this area known for its thriving music scene, there will be discussions about music, with one focusing on music production from a content creator’s perspective using HBO Max’s “Vgly” as an example. This session will be moderated by Arturo Sampson of Exile, Jorge Tijerina from HBO, and the showrunners behind the series.
At Nuevo Leon Miradas, a talk on Regional Mexican Music and Cinema is set to reveal how music videos have emerged as a creative space for up-and-coming filmmakers in Nuevo León, showcasing the unique blend of regional Mexican tunes and visual storytelling. This event will spotlight industry professionals like Toy Selectah, Victoria Kühne, and creators from Victoria Films.
Amazon Studios Mexico will additionally showcase an early preview of their upcoming series “Somos Oro”, featuring its stars Gabriel Ripstein and Marco Polo Constandse who will personally introduce the pilot episode.
Workshops and Development:
Joining Mariana Silva’s Acting Workshop: An opportunity for aspiring actors like me to grasp valuable skills and insights from Mariana, a distinguished actress and casting director, who has made history as the first Latina member of Tim Robbins’ theater troupe, The Actors’ Gang, in LA.
“Join Me at Belicosa’s Short Film Distribution Workshop!”: Learn the Nitty-Gritty of Unveiling My Short Films Globally, Insights Straight from the Source!
CENTRO’s Film Project Development Workshops: In-depth seminars focused on crafting and presenting movie ideas, offering hands-on skills and genuine chances for film creators.
WIP Projects:
“A Lifetime” (“Toda una vida”), Ariel Gutierrez, Mexico
A story about maturing experiences, focusing on Armín, a young man grappling with obesity in northern Mexico who encounters harassment at school. Over the course of three days, he will have to deal with becoming an adult, stand up to his tormentors, mend relationships within his family, and handle the unexpected disappearance of his mother.
“Against Nature” (Contra la Naturaleza”), Axel Cuevas de Chaunac, Mexico
Upon my long-awaited return home, I once again took up the hammer and chisel, resuming my role as a stonemason. The sight of my father’s furious outburst towards a mule, however, stirred within me a dormant, violent impulse. This hidden anger ultimately led me to carry out an act that could not be undone.
“Bubble Nest,” (“Nido de burbujas”), Paloma Serna Ramones, Mexico
As the new millennium breaks at Monterrey, a prosperous yet turbulent family prepares to ring in New Year’s. Meanwhile, ten-year-old Sofia struggles with her friend’s withdrawal of affection and the challenges of maturing amidst an increasingly hostile environment.
“Daughters for a Time,” (Hijas de un tiempo”), Matias Scarvaci, Argentina
Alejandra and her two-year-old daughter, Aithana, are staying at the mothers’ wing in Ezeiza prison. Since Aithana was born within its walls, she has no knowledge of life outside. Once Aithana turns four, they will be forced to part ways. For now, they share this time together, making memories for their future apart.
“Little Man” (“Hombrecito”), Miguel Nuñez, Mexico, U.S.
Amador, a man short in stature but big in heart, sparks a rebellion among the peasants against an unjust American cotton corporation. In his struggle for fair land ownership, he engages in martial arts battles reminiscent of Kung Fu, is tormented by spectral apparitions, and conjures a magic spell that metamorphoses him into the Valley’s most formidable gun-wielding outlaw.
The location where the sun rises, ‘Where the Sun is Born’, by Jorge García and Laura Bermúdez, Honduras” or simply “The place of the sun’s dawn, ‘Birthplace of the Sun’, by Jorge García and Laura Bermúdez, from Honduras.
The narrative unfolds around Jorge García, a Garifuna artist hailing from the Caribbean coast of Honduras, as he embarks on an emotional voyage to secluded hamlets to rediscover his cultural past. Accompanied by a spiritual guide, he encounters personal turmoil and draws power from his roots.
“Reportage” (“Reportaje”), Nicolás Gutiérrez, Mexico
A nighttime documentary that delves into the captivating world of Mexico City’s newspaper industry. This exploration weaves through the city’s labyrinthine streets, using crime scenes as a haunting backdrop. It functions as a collective narrative, examining how each participant in the process of transforming violent incidents into printed tales confronts and copes with death.
ProMeetings:
“6 meses en el edificio rosa con azul,” Bruno Arnaldo Santamaría Razo, Mexico, Denmark, U.S.
“Americana,” Mauricio Miguel Calderon Rico, Mexico
“La vida azarosa de Javier Sánchez,” Karla Paulina Sánchez, México, U.S.
“Las buenas decisiones,” Valentina Gedanke Abelenda and Josefina Trías, Uruguay
“El intermediario,” Izabel Acevedo, Mexico, Guatemala
“Tres enigmas para Luis Morla,” Nicolas Turjanski, Argentina
“The Middle,” Sylvia Ray, U.S.
“Karukinka,” Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz, Chile, U.S.
Pro Meetings, Series:
“As de diamantes,” Libia Stella Gómez, Colombia
“Noreste 5.1,” Fernando Fidel Urdapilleta Jimenez and José Ramón Chávez Delgado, Mexico
“¿Quién demonios es Sylvia Pop?,” Armando Padilla Sánchez, México
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2024-09-17 21:49