Manuela Martelli, Maria de Madeiros at Guadalajara Co-Production Meet

The 21st edition of the Co-Production Meetings at the Guadalajara Film Festival’s industry program is a platform dedicated to fostering collaboration among producers from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Taking place over three days from June 9-11, this event provides selected projects with the opportunity to compete for cash awards, including one that covers nearly the entire production process of a film—from development to post-production—in a single award.

Ximena Urrutia, the head of the Industry program, highlights the significance of these awards for the selected projects. Approximately 20 projects participate in the Co-Production Meetings, where they receive personalized support to identify their specific needs and connect with industry professionals who can help advance their projects. Some projects start at early stages, with only a concept or story outline, and the development process begins from there.

The selection of projects includes a diverse range of themes, such as three projects set in the boxing world and LGBTQ+ themed projects like “Diamonds are Forever,” which features a gay boxer. Other themes explored in the selected projects include coming-of-age stories, music, and identity. Notable projects include “Cupid’s Arrow,” a film-within-a-film drama co-directed and acted by acclaimed Chilean actress-helmer Manuela Martelli.

Running alongside the Co-Production Meetings is “Episodio Cero,” a program focused on series rather than films, supporting the development and realization of serialized content.

Some of the titles featured in the Co-Production Meetings include projects like “This Bolero is for Ita,” “Rebellion of Memory,” “Rebellion,” “First We Take Anillaco,” “The Young and the Broken,” “Cupid’s Arrow,” “God’s Favorite Girl,” “The Insignificant,” “The Beam,” “Juliette & Camille,” “Undefeated,” “Evolet,” “The Foreign Man,” “Beast,” “Love in the Time of Bacaneria,” “Casilda,” and “Witches of the Island.”

Each project brings a unique perspective and storytelling approach, exploring a wide range of topics and themes. The Co-Production Meetings provide a platform for these projects to find the necessary support and resources to bring their stories to life on the big screen.