In recent years, Panamanian cinema has been positioning itself strongly, in such a way that it is even taken into account in international film festivals. In fact, recently the tapes Sunday and the fogby Ariel Escalante, and Stars at Noonby Claire Denis, confirmed their presence at the Cannes International Film Festival, which will take place in this French city from May 17 to 28 this year.
“What must be highlighted is that both films have had the support of the Panama International Film Festival (IFF) for their production. At IFF Panama we generate important connections between the members of the industry that visit us, always looking for our cinema to grow, to be strengthened, to ensure that these alliances are of benefit to both parties and that interesting and important projects are carried out for Panama, Central America and the rest of the world. Caribbean”, commented Pituka Ortega Heilbron, executive director of the IFF Panama Foundation.
When asked if Panama is increasingly considered an ideal destination for audiovisual productions, Ortega commented: “Without a doubt. It is already happening and Panama is positioning itself strongly in this industry”.
Although he stressed that much remains to be improved in terms of infrastructure, such as equipment and studios, but in terms of human resources, locations and actors we are on par with anyone and more, stressed the director of the IFF.
For Ortega, the mere fact that one of the IFF projects competes for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival “means that everything we believe our country can generate and encourage and be, is true.”
“The festival and its foundation have always had the vision that Panama is destined to create and generate changes, opportunities and benefits. It has not been easy and we have had to row against the tide and against the disbelief of many, but here we are”, he pointed out.
At the same time, he mentioned, “it is clear that on a day-to-day basis, with the problems we face as citizens, to simply subsist in a difficult and inclement system, such as ‘ours’, these achievements are not appreciated, but if are examined would be something enormous, because what they reveal is who we are as a country, what this country is, what this country can be and why it matters what we do and how we behave as a collective, and cinema has that power, that strength, and in the foundation we have understood this from the beginning”, he highlighted.
What does Panama need to achieve more participation in film festivals?
According to Ortega, Panama does not need anything. “Actually, a lot of it has to do with the right time, and the right festival. Festivals have their needs, their searches, their visions”, he expressed.
“A film can be wonderful and not enter a festival, because it does not fit with the artistic, social and even political intentions of the programming of an edition; therefore, a festival seeks to encourage or promote a certain style of cinema. It’s all very subjective. Masterpieces will always be recognized, certainly, and for them there is always a space in all festivals, but these are scarce even in those countries with the most developed or experienced industries. The grace of this career is that you always have to keep looking and growing. The road does not end when you enter Cannes, Berlin, TIFF, San Sebastián or Guadalajara. That’s where the hardest part of this industry actually begins,” said Ortega.
Panamanian cinema and its evolution
According to the director of IFF Panama, Panamanian cinema is advancing in giant steps. “Ten years ago, when I went to Cannes for the first time, after our first festival, we were a curiosity, to the point that people wondered: Why Panama? Who is Panama? But today we enter like air under the wings of two great works of cinema, today we are what the future holds for us. Panamanian cinema is destined for success,” she assured.
He added that around 22 productions have been benefited by the IFF Panama Foundation through the Su Mirada Fund, which has been key for filmmakers in the region to finish their works in the best way and enter the most prestigious festivals in the world.
“The Su Mirada Fund, the only fund –to date– only for women filmmakers and IFF Panama Film Match, is the co-production forum that has managed to position producers and directors from Central America and the Caribbean before expert producers of Europe, the United States and Latin America or have achieved strategic alliances that have benefited their projects”, he stressed.
He also recognized that many times the State does things well, but you have to keep working. The culture law, which includes the film law, which has existed since 2008 and has been intelligently fine-tuned, the Film Fund and tax incentives for international productions, position us strongly in the world arena. We are admired and respected. It is important for Panamanians to know that there are many reasons why we should feel proud of all our achievements and what happens with the cinema is one of them. Let’s look up, it’s not always cloudy,” Ortega told this medium.
This year will be the seventy-fifth edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
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