Puerto Rico will have a presence at the first edition of the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) new professional market, running September 10-16 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Canada. The Puerto Rican company Árbol de Plata is leading the pavilion "Cine Boricua - Puerto Rico," bringing more than 60 film projects from the island to international industry players.
According to a press release, the initiative will present a bilingual (Spanish and English) catalog featuring completed films available for distribution as well as projects in various stages of development seeking co-production deals, financing, and strategic partnerships. Árbol de Plata will also facilitate meetings aimed at generating concrete opportunities for Puerto Rican projects and professionals.
The market will bring together producers, filmmakers, sales agents, distributors, buyers, programmers, and investors. Director and screenwriter Glorimar Marrero Sánchez said development is a crucial but less visible stage of filmmaking, where a story’s identity and alliances form. Vanessa López, producer at Árbol de Plata, said Puerto Rico has the stories and talent to expand its role in the international industry, and that Toronto represents another step in helping local stories circulate and reach new audiences.