#San Jose #Costa Rica #Cannes Film Festival #Valentina Maurel

Costa Rica Showcases Film Talent at Cannes 2026

Costa Rica has made its mark once again at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 12 to 20, 2026. A delegation of 11 companies from the Costa Rican audiovisual sector will showcase their talents and projects, culminating in the official premiere of "Siempre soy tu animal materno," directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Valentina Maurel.

The film has been selected for the coveted section known as "Un Certain Regard," making it the second Costa Rican production to feature in an official Cannes section, following the debut of "Domingo y la Niebla" in 2022. Maurel expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Being part of Un Certain Regard is not just an honor; it offers us an extraordinary platform to share our film with an international audience. This recognition highlights the collective effort behind our work and the power of Costa Rican stories to resonate beyond our borders."

Led by PROCOMER (the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency) and in collaboration with the Costa Rican Film Commission, this delegation comprises firms engaged in development, production, post-production, and distribution. Notable names include Café Cinema, Café Televisión, Medina Films Productions, Cymbiola Films, and more.

Laura López, the General Manager of PROCOMER, emphasized that participating in Cannes is part of an ongoing effort to enhance Costa Rica's standing in the global audiovisual industry. In 2025 alone, Costa Rica recorded over US$11 million in film investment related to international audiovisual business partnerships. "Events like the Marché du Film provide invaluable opportunities to broaden our national companies' reach while strengthening Costa Rica's presence among key industry players," López pointed out.

Throughout the festival, producers, distributors, platforms, studios, and investors are participating in strategic meetings and networking activities aimed at generating opportunities for co-production, distribution, and attracting investments in the national audiovisual sector. López added, "The selection of another Costa Rican production in Cannes and the presence of our national delegation at the Marché du Film help raise visibility for the incredible work being done in our audiovisual industry across various areas. This also supports initiatives like the Costa Rica Media Market, which is set to reunite producers, buyers, and international industry representatives in July."

To further enhance its presence at Cannes, Costa Rica will feature an essential COSTA RICA stand within the Marché du Film, showcasing the country's capabilities in audiovisual services and filmmaking. One exciting aspect of this initiative is a sound experience titled "Discover the Sounds of Costa Rica." This unique offering will immerse visitors in the natural and cultural diversity of Costa Rica, taking them on a journey through the Caribbean, rainforests, urban landscapes, and volcanic zones, all while linking these experiences to audiovisual storytelling and positioning Costa Rica as a world-class filming destination.

Additionally, Cannes will host the announcement of projects chosen for Fantastic Lab, an initiative from the Fantastic Pavilion at the Marché du Film in partnership with the Costa Rica Media Market, focused on developing genre-based cinematic projects (fantasy, horror, and science fiction) in Central America and the Caribbean. Selected projects will have the opportunity to engage with international producers during the 2026 edition of Costa Rica Media Market, scheduled for this upcoming July.

Costa Rica's endeavor at Cannes signifies not only an investment in its film industry but a dedication to the global narratives that emerge from its cultural richness. The upcoming activities at the festival highlight a promising synergy for future growth and collaboration within the international film community.