Monterrey Film Festival Industry Seeks to Bridge U.S.-Ibero-American Divide

With newly-appointed L.A.-based producer Eva Ruiz de Chavez at the helm of its industry arm, the 20th Monterrey Film Festival plans a four-day industry market from Sept. 26-29 that aims to foster more collaboration and co-productions between Ibero-America and the U.S . The festival runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2.

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Speaking at a press conference, Ruiz de Chavez pointed out that: “Monterrey not only stands out as one of the most thriving economies in Latin America but also as an epicenter of the industry in the country. With the launch of our Film Industry section, we aim to elevate Monterrey’s cinematic profile to match its economic recognition.”

With this goal in mind, Monterrey Industry has developed a comprehensive program that features Work-in-Progress (WIP) sessions and ProMeetings, designed to foster connections between creators and financiers as well as broaden opportunities for filmmakers in the global market.

Some 102 WIP projects in post-production answered the call for submissions of which seven titles were selected.

The ProMeetings, of which the festival received 138 submissions and selected eight, serves as a platform to connect filmmakers with projects in development to producers, distributors and financiers from the international marketplace.

“This year, we highlight the consolidation of important strategic relationships for the development of new talents, including the participation of Hervé Aurbon from the Cannes Director’s Fortnight and our collaboration with the Latino Film Institute,” she stressed, adding: “This partnership allows us to showcase projects by Latino filmmakers from the U.S. on the ProMeetings and WIP platforms.”

Festival also forged an alliance with the LA-based Latino Film Institute (LFI), which Erika Sabel Flores, Latino Film Institute VP of programs and innovation, calls “a milestone in our ongoing effort to forge new avenues for Latino filmmakers.”

“By fostering co-productions, we not only enrich the cinematic landscape but also open doors for Latino content in the global market,” she added.

Two projects from LFI this year are “The Middle,” a drama by U.S.-based Sylvia Ray and “Karukinka,” a Chile-U.S. co-production by Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz. Both participate in ProMeetings.

Panels ranging from the discussion of talent, finance and women in film are among the various activities at the industry event:

● Women in Film Panel : On September 26, a panel celebrating women in the industry will address challenges and strategies for inclusion. Panelists will include Maikiko James, senior director of programs at Women in Film, and Christine Davila, creator of LAtinaSquad. In conjunction with this panel, for the first time, a LAtina Squad will take place in Mexico, where female executives from the U.S. and LATAM will have the opportunity to connect and build essential bridges for the future of their respective film industries. U.S. executives attending 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 of Broken English Productions.

● Talent Agents Panel : This panel on Sept. 26 will explore career representation and management in both Latin America and the U.S., featuring insights from Greta Fuentes of Macro and Yvette Herrera of UTA. Joe S. Montifiore from Rafterman Media also takes part in the panel.

● Financing Panel : Scheduled for the morning of Sept. 27, this panel will connect investors with filmmakers, discussing strategies for funding projects both within and outside of Nuevo León. Notable panelists will include Francisco Escalante, consultant and investment strategist in education and culture, Emerson Machtus, vice president & head of content, BLKBX Originals, Saul del Compare from 1community, and development executive Paul Perez. The panel will also feature a networking event.

Additional NEXT and Miradas Nuevo León Panels include a Transborder Co-production talk led by producers Santiago Lopez and Sandino Saravia of Cimarron Cine, which has a presence in Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil and can claim such notable credits as the Oscar-nominated “Society of the Snow.”

Given the region’s robust music industry, panels on music include one on music as a content creator with HBO Max’s ‘Vgly” as a case study. It will be led by Arturo Sampson from Exile, Jorge Tijerina from HBO, and the series’ showrunners.

In Nuevo Leon Miradas, a discussion on Regional Mexican Music and Cinema will highlight how music videos have become a platform for emerging filmmakers in Nuevo León, exploring the intersection of regional Mexican music and cinematography. Featuring Toy Selectah, Victoria Kühne, and creators from Victoria Films.

Amazon Studios Mexico will also be screening a first look at the pilot of its new series “Somos Oro” with Mexico’s Gabriel Ripstein and Marco Polo Constandse on hand to present it.

Workshops and Development :

● Acting Workshop by Mariana Silva : A space for emerging actors to learn techniques and tips from Silva, a renowned actress and casting director, who is also the first Latina member of Tim Robbins-led theater group, Actors’ Gang, in Los Angeles.

● Short Film Distribution Workshop by Belicosa : Practical advice on how to introduce short films to the global market.

● Project Development Workshops by CENTRO : Intensive sessions on creating and pitching film projects, which aim to provide practical tools and real opportunities for filmmakers.

WIP Projects:

“A Lifetime” (“Toda una vida”), Ariel Gutierrez, Mexico

A coming-of-age drama that follows Armín, a young man struggling with obesity in northern Mexico who faces bullying at school. Over a long weekend, he must navigate adulthood, confront his bullies, reconcile with his family, and cope with his mother’s sudden disappearance.

“Against Nature” (Contra la Naturaleza”), Axel Cuevas de Chaunac, Mexico

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Jonas returns home after a long absence and resumes work as a stonemason. After seeing his father angrily lash out at a mule, Jonas’ repressed violent streak surfaces, driving him to commit an irreversible crime.

“Bubble Nest,” (“Nido de burbujas”), Paloma Serna Ramones, Mexico

At the dawn of the new millennium in Monterrey, a wealthy yet troubled family gets ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, ten-year-old Sofia grapples with the loss of her best friend’s affection and the difficulties of growing up in a world becoming ever more violent.

“Daughters for a Time,” (Hijas de un tiempo”), Matias Scarvaci, Argentina

Alejandra is held in the mothers’ pavilion at Ezeiza prison with her two-year-old daughter, Aithana, who was born there and knows nothing of the outside world. When Aithana turns four, they will be separated. Until then, they have this time to create memories for the future.

“Little Man” (“Hombrecito”), Miguel Nuñez, Mexico, U.S.

Amador, a short and romantic man, leads a peasant revolt against the abuses of an American cotton company. In his fight for land rights, he faces Kung Fu battles, is haunted by a ghost, and casts a spell that transforms him into the most feared gunslinger in the Valley.

“The Place Where the Sun is Born” (“ All á donde nace el sol”), Jorge García, Laura Bermúdez, Honduras

The story follows Jorge García, a Garifuna musician and dancer from Honduran Caribbean, on a poetic journey to remote villages to reconnect with his cultural heritage. Guided by a spiritual leader, he confronts inner struggles and finds strength in his roots.

“Reportage” (“Reportaje”), Nicolás Gutiérrez, Mexico

Documentary that chronicles the sensational newspaper industry in Mexico City. This nocturnal journey navigates the city’s maze-like streets, with crime scenes as its backdrop. It serves as a collective essay exploring how each person involved in turning violent events into printed stories relates to 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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