Rebooted Costa Rica Media Market Takes Off Over June 24-25

2 2 minutes read

Costa Rica is set to host its inaugural Costa Rica Media Market (CRMM) on June 24 and 25, organized by Costa Rica’s film commission, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), and Ministry of Culture & Youth. Spearheaded by film commissioner Marysela Zamora, CRMM aims to establish itself as a pivotal platform for regional projects in the international market.

The event is a spin-off from the Central America and Caribbean Audiovisual Market (MAUCC), known for facilitating numerous business meetings over seven editions. CRMM is expected to host over 500 business meetings and more than 50 international buyers, showcasing the region’s diverse talent and projects.

Zamora expressed her excitement about the event, stating that the team put in significant effort to secure a larger budget and resources to make CRMM a reality. The market will feature a range of activities including business roundtables, matchmaking sessions, expert panels, and masterclasses. Additionally, project showcases from the Costa Rica International Film Festival’s industry section will be presented.

Key participants at CRMM include international buyers such as Gaumont (Germany), ND Pictures (Netherlands), La Bonne Epoque (France), and U.S.-based Creative Chaos. Mariana Salas Campbell, Warner Bros Discovery Senior VP of original production LatAm, will conduct a workshop on reality shows, aiming to provide local professionals with tools to create and produce such formats.

The event will also highlight prominent female directors and producers from Costa Rica, such as filmmaker Antonella Sudasassi and producer Lynette Coll. Panels and discussions will cover topics like navigating content markets, post-production, global opportunities in sound design, and more.

Day two of CRMM will feature talks on film awards as a marketing tool, product placement, distribution in global cinema, and a masterclass on composing film scores. The market coincides with the Costa Rica International Film Festival, offering additional networking and collaboration opportunities for participants.

After CRMM, location managers and producers interested in filming in Costa Rica will have the chance to join fam trips across six Film Friendly Zones in the country. The event will also host the Locarno Industry Academy Latin America, providing training and networking opportunities for selected participants.

Overall, CRMM aims to create pathways for collaboration between North and South America, leveraging Costa Rica’s strong infrastructure and connections. Industry leaders see events like CRMM as valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, find partners, and work towards creating more content for the region. The event signifies a step towards building a united Central American market and fostering growth in the industry.