Variety Talent to Track Nicolas Wong Wins Fantastic Lab Central Am.

The winners have been announced at the Cannes Fantastic Pavilion, with Fantastic Lab Central America & Caribbean revealing six finalists and one grand prize. The grand prize was presented by Baby Atómica, a partner of Fantastic Lab, and was awarded to the co-production titled “We Won’t Let the Goat Die” (“No dejaremos que muera la cabra”) involving Costa Rica, Perú, and Panamá. The film is being produced by DoP Nicolas Wong, known for his work on films like “La Llorona” and “Love is the Monster”.

As part of the award, Baby Atómica will provide the director Felipe Zúñiga and Wong with the opportunity to shoot their proof of concept in Costa Rica. Zúñiga, who has previously worked on acclaimed Central American films like “Clara Sola” and “Beloved Tropic”, is excited about this new project.

The fantasy drama “We Won’t Let the Goat Die” follows the story of 10-year-old Bernardo, who cares for an injured baby goat in the rainforest after his father’s death. When he witnesses a mysterious event involving an ocelot and a glowing sphere, he discovers the complex nature of love and violence.

The Fantastic Lab Central America & Caribbean, in collaboration with Grupo Morbido, received 55 project submissions from the region. Fifteen projects were selected for the first phase, with the six finalists showcasing a strong tendency towards politically charged genre cinema that explores themes of memory, history, and social tension.

The six finalists include projects from El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, and Spain. These projects will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas at the upcoming Costa Rica Media Market in July, providing them with a platform to connect with the international audiovisual industry.

Laura López, General Manager of Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Agency, emphasized the importance of initiatives like Fantastic Lab in supporting talent development and creating opportunities for regional creators to engage with the global film industry.

Pablo Guisa, CEO of Grupo Morbido, expressed his excitement about the success of the first edition of Fantastic Lab Costa Rica, highlighting the diversity of themes and subgenres represented in the selected projects. He believes that the initiative plays a crucial role in enriching the genre community in Central America and the Caribbean.

The six finalists include projects like “Cacao Tea” from Costa Rica, Spain, and Mexico, “Echoes” from the Dominican Republic, “Greetings from Maryland” from El Salvador, “Macheteros” from the Dominican Republic, “The Fire Within” from Honduras, Mexico, and Spain, and “What Comes With the Storm” from Costa Rica and the U.S. Each project brings a unique perspective to the genre of horror and fantasy, showcasing the rich storytelling traditions of the region.

Overall, the Fantastic Lab Central America & Caribbean has succeeded in promoting and supporting the growth of fantastic cinema in the region, providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talent on an international stage.