The choice reflects a 'growing relationship between both territories and opening new opportunities for artistic and industry collaboration,' with the announcement coming ahead of this year's Costa Rica Media Market
The Puerto Rico Film Festival has announced Costa Rica as the official country in focus for its upcoming 17th edition, taking place August 19–23. The announcement marks the first time the festival elects a country of honor, and comes ahead of this year’s Costa Rica Media Market, a leading industry event taking place in San José on July 14-15.
According to the festival, the choice reflects a “growing relationship between both territories and opening new opportunities for artistic and industry collaboration.” The special spotlight will see a series of dedicated initiatives, including welcoming a delegation of Costa Rican filmmakers and a showcase of contemporary Costa Rican cinema. Costa Rica Film Commissioner Marysela Zamora-Villalobos will also attend the festival, where she will take part in industry activities focused on international collaboration, production incentives and regional partnerships.
A festival statement highlighted how having Costa Rica as the festival’s country in focus emphasizes the event’s “long-term commitment to building stronger bridges between Caribbean and Latin American film industries at a time when international co-productions, shared funding opportunities and cross-border distribution have become increasingly important for independent filmmakers.”
“The partnership offers an opportunity to deepen ties with Puerto Rico while introducing audiences and industry professionals to a new generation of Costa Rican storytellers,” the statement continued. “For Puerto Rico, it reinforces the island’s ambition to become a strategic hub where Caribbean and Latin American cinema can collaborate, develop projects and create sustainable industry relationships.”
Lester Rivé, founder and festival director of the Puerto Rico Film Festival said: “For Puerto Rico, having Costa Rica as our Country in Focus represents much more than a cultural exchange. It creates new opportunities for our filmmakers to connect internationally, showcase their work, develop co-productions and explore new business and distribution opportunities across Latin America. Building these relationships today will strengthen the future of our regional film industry.”
Speaking with Variety, Zamora said the festival’s invitation “reflects the growing recognition of Costa Rica as an active player in the regional audiovisual ecosystem.”
“It gives our filmmakers, producers, and companies another platform to build international partnerships and showcase the quality of the work being created in the country,” she added. “It’s also a sign that Costa Rica is increasingly contributing to regional conversations—not only through its locations, but through its talent, stories and industry initiatives.”
Costa Rica’s audiovisual industry has grown exponentially in the last decade, with breakout films by directors such as Valentina Maurel, Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, Paz Fábrega and Sofía Quirós Ubeda making waves at major festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Rotterdam.
Well-known for stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, the small but mighty Central American country has also emerged as a hungry player on the international production scene. In 2021, the country introduced its Law of Attraction of Film Investments, consolidating VAT refunds and tax exemptions for foreign productions. Today, the country offers an up-to-90% VAT refund on local services for qualifying projects, which equates to an around 11.7% tax rebate with a promise to repay within 90 days.
Last year, Costa Rica attracted $11.2 million in audiovisual investment through 87 international business opportunities, more than double the 41 from the year prior. The country lured projects from Warner Bros. Discovery, Universal and BBC Studios, with the film commission closely supporting their production by minimizing bureaucracy and expediting technical documents.
Beyond the Costa Rica-tied activities and a full program of screenings, the Puerto Rico Film Festival has become known for a growing industry platform designed to connect Puerto Rico with the global film community while celebrating diverse voices and emerging talent from around the world. This year’s full program is yet to be announced.