The Havana Film Festival is launching a groundbreaking Latin American Film Market named Isla Abierta (Open Island) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Mexican cinema’s iconic production company. Festival President Tania Delgado announced the initiative during an exclusive interview with Radio Rebelde, revealing the market will operate from December 7-11 through a collaborative effort between the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) and festival organizers.
This strategic expansion aims to position Havana as a crucial nexus for cinematic exchange between Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Eurasian region. The festival’s official Facebook platform describes Isla Abierta as possessing “an inclusive and dynamic vision” that will facilitate content circulation, talent discovery, and innovative East-West cooperation pathways while generating unprecedented investment opportunities and strategic alliances.
The new market will feature comprehensive industry activities including pitching sessions, expert panels, negotiation tables, location portfolio showcases, collaboration roundtables, virtual reality stations, immersive installations, and narrative video game exhibitions. These components are designed to create a holistic ecosystem for film professionals across multiple disciplines.
Running parallel to the main festival from December 4-14—recognized as one of Latin America and the Caribbean’s most significant cinematic events—Isla Abierta will maintain the traditional participation categories while introducing these new market dimensions. The festival continues its role as a vital platform for regional cinematic expression while now expanding into international market functions that promise to reshape transcontinental film collaboration.