Films in Progress is the professional platform which supports the production of Latin American feature films, contributing to their completion and international circulation. Organised by the San Sebastian and Cinelatino, Rencontres de Toulouse Festivals, Films in Progress promotes meeting, dialogue and interaction between professionals from the Latin American and European film worlds, fostering the diversity and talent of independent filmmakers.
Films in Progress 29 received the submission of 182 films from 17 countries. The Toulouse-San Sebastian selection committee has selected 6 films: A Cidade do Futuro by Cláudio Marques and Marília Hughes (Brazil); El Cristo Ciego, by Christopher Murray (Chile - France); Don’t Swallow My Heart, Alligator Girl! by Felipe Bragança (Brazil - France - Netherlands); El Invierno, by Emiliano Torres (Argentina - France); Los Niños, by Maite Alberdi (Chile - France - Netherland) and Rey by Niles Atallah (Chile - France - Germany - Netherland - Qatar), who also participated in New Directors with Lucía.
Mila is 19, teaches theatre and is pregnant. Gilmar, 27, is a history teacher in a relationship with Igor, a 19 year old cowboy. The three will form a rather unconventional family. The film follows the path of these young people in the small city of Serra do Ramalho, in the dry lands of Bahía, and society’s reaction to this peculiar tale.
Michael (30) is a mechanic who claims to have experienced a divine revelation in the desert. But far from believing him, the locals treat him like the village madman. One afternoon he learns that a childhood friend has had an accident in a distant town. Michael decides to leave everything he has to set out on a barefoot pilgrimage and cure him with a miracle. His walk begins to attract the attention of people exploited by the mining companies and drug addicts, who see him as a Christ capable of alleviating the harsh reality of the Chilean desert.
Joca is a 13 year old Brazilian boy in love with a native Paraguayan girl on the border between the two countries. To fight for their love he must face up to the secrets of his elder brother, Fernando, a motorcycling cowboy.
The old foreman of a Patagonian ranch is fired from his job. A younger ranch hand takes his place. The change won’t be easy for either of them. Each, in his own way, must survive the coming winter. Debut film.
A group of friends with Down’s Syndrome have been going to the same school for 40 years and no longer want to be students. Most of them have lost their parents by now, none of whom had ever imagined that their children would outlive them. The children always thought that when their parents died, they would be able to do everything they had always been forbidden to do, like living alone, having sex, becoming parents, getting married and having real jobs. But nothing has changed for them, and they have to wrestle with the frustration of living as if they were only 10, even if they are almost 50.
In 1860, a French lawyer dreamt of becoming the King of Patagonia. And that’s exactly what happened. Or that’s what it seems like. Participated in New Directors with Lucía, his previous film.
The following awards will be presented at Films in Progress 29:
FILMS IN PROGRESS TOULOUSE AWARD
Consisting of post-production services offered by the collaborating companies, a grant for post-production work on the winning film.
The “Films in Progress Toulouse Award” will be delivered by a jury composed of representatives of companies and entities involved in the award:
CCAS (Caisse Centrale d’Activités Sociales du personnel des industries électriques et gazières), CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée), Commune Image, Eaux Vives, Firelfly, Mactari,
Titra TV.
SPECIAL CINE + IN PROGRESS AWARD
The CINE + channel guarantees to purchase the winning film for the amount of €15,000, and to broadcast it on its television network. This award will go to the distributor of the film in France.
EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTORS AND EXHIBITORS AWARD
Consisting of promotion of the film by the Europa Distribution network and by the Confédération Internationale des Cinémas d'Art et d'Essai (CICAE).
To see the award details, click here
Films in Progress has the support of the following institutions and companies: Programa Ibermedia, Daniel Goldstein, Deluxe Spain, Dolby Iberia, Laserfilm Cine y Video, Nephilim producciones, No Problem Sonido, Wanda Visión and the collaboration of Caisse Centrale d’Activités Sociales du personnel des industries électriques et gazières (CCAS), Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC), CINÉ + Commune Image, Confédération Internationale des Cinémas d’Art et Essai (CICAE), Conseil Général de la Haute Garonne, Eaux Vives, École Supérieure d’Audiovisuel (ESAV), EP2C-Postproduction Training Programme, Europa Distribution, Firefly, La Cinéfondation, La Trame, Mactari, Mairie de Toulouse, Maison Universitaire Franco-Mexicaine, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères, Producers Network (Cannes), Région Midi-Pyrénées, Signis and Titra TVS.
With the support of