By San José, Costa Rica — Cannes, France – Costa Rica is making a significant impact at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, showcasing a powerful combination of artistic achievement and strategic business development aimed at cementing its position in the global audiovisual market. The nation’s presence is highlighted by the official premiere of Valentina Maurel’s feature film, Siempre soy tu animal materno, alongside a robust delegation of 11 companies actively seeking international partnerships and investment.
The selection of Maurel’s film in the prestigious “Un certain regard” section marks a major milestone for the national film industry. This is only the second time a Costa Rican production has been featured in an official section of the world-renowned festival, following the premiere of Domingo y la Niebla in 2022. The inclusion provides an unparalleled platform for Costa Rican storytelling and creative talent on the world stage.
To delve into the complex legal and business machinery that powers a global event like the Cannes Film Festival, TicosLand.com sought the perspective of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His analysis reveals the high-stakes world of international contracts and intellectual property that operates just behind the silver screen.
Beyond the artistic accolades, Cannes is the epicenter of the global film business. It’s a marketplace where distribution rights, financing, and international co-production deals are negotiated at a dizzying pace. Every screening and every meeting is underpinned by complex legal agreements that protect intellectual property and define commercial viability across dozens of jurisdictions. The real drama often isn’t on the screen, but in the contract clauses that determine a film’s success long before it reaches the public.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective masterfully underscores that the festival’s celebrated glamour is fundamentally supported by a complex and often intense commercial reality. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for illuminating this critical, yet frequently overlooked, dimension of the global film industry.
Director Valentina Maurel expressed the significance of this achievement, emphasizing both the personal honor and the collective success it represents for the country’s burgeoning film community. The selection validates the quality and universal appeal of stories originating from Costa Rica.
Being part of Un Certain Regard is an honor and an extraordinary platform to share this film with an international audience. It is a recognition of the collective work behind the film and the possibility for a story born in Costa Rica to reach an audience beyond our borders.
Valentina Maurel, Costa Rican director
Beyond the red carpet, a concerted business effort is underway at the Marché du Film, one of the industry’s most important markets. The Costa Rican delegation, spearheaded by the country’s Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) in collaboration with the Costa Rica Film Commission, represents a diverse range of expertise across the production pipeline. Companies in attendance include Café Cinema, Medina Films Productions, Cymbiola Films, Incendio Cine, and Atomica Films, among others, all focused on development, production, post-production, and distribution.
This strategic participation is a key component of a national strategy to attract foreign productions and promote local content. According to Laura López, General Director of PROCOMER, the initiative has already yielded substantial results, with the country registering over $11 million in film-related investment in 2025 alone. The goal at Cannes is to build on this momentum, fostering co-productions and distribution deals.
Costa Rica’s participation in Cannes is part of the country’s efforts to position itself within the international audiovisual industry, both by promoting content and talent and by attracting investment related to foreign productions. In 2025 alone, Costa Rica recorded over $11 million in film investment associated with support and assistance for international audiovisual companies. Spaces like the Marché du Film allow us to continue expanding opportunities for national companies and strengthen the country’s presence among key industry players.
Laura Lopez, General Director of PROCOMER
The activities at Cannes are designed to create a flywheel effect, where international recognition generates business opportunities that, in turn, fuel the growth of the domestic industry. López noted that this high-profile presence reinforces other key initiatives, such as the upcoming Costa Rica Media Market, which serves as a vital hub for connecting local talent with international buyers and producers.
The selection of another Costa Rican production in an official section of the Cannes Film Festival and the participation of a national delegation in the Marché du Film help to raise awareness of the work carried out by the country’s audiovisual sector in the various fields of the industry. This positioning also strengthens initiatives such as the Costa Rica Media Market, which will once again bring together producers, buyers, and representatives of the international audiovisual industry in Costa Rica in July.
Laura López, General Director of PROCOMER
To further promote the country as an ideal filming destination, the essential COSTA RICA brand has established a stand at the Marché du Film featuring an innovative sensory experience. Titled “Discover the sounds of Costa Rica,” the activation immerses visitors in the country’s diverse soundscapes, from its Caribbean coasts and rainforests to its urban centers and volcanic regions. This creative approach connects Costa Rica’s rich natural and cultural heritage directly to the art of audiovisual storytelling.
The festival also serves as the venue for announcing the winners of the Fantastic Lab. This initiative, a partnership between the Fantastic Pavilion at Cannes and the Costa Rica Media Market, is dedicated to developing genre film projects—including fantasy, horror, and science fiction—from across Central America and the Caribbean. Winning projects will gain invaluable networking opportunities with international production companies at the Costa Rica Media Market later this year.
Through this multi-pronged approach—blending artistic excellence with targeted economic promotion and regional talent development—Costa Rica is demonstrating a clear and ambitious vision. The nation is not merely a participant in the global film conversation but is actively working to become a key destination for production, investment, and creative innovation.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the government entity responsible for promoting the country’s exports of goods and services globally. It also works to attract foreign direct investment and supports the internationalization of Costa Rican companies, strengthening their competitiveness and contributing to the nation’s economic development.
For further information, visit costaricafilmcommission.org
About Costa Rica Film Commission:
The Costa Rica Film Commission is dedicated to promoting the country as a premier destination for international audiovisual productions. Operating under PROCOMER, it facilitates logistics, provides information on incentives, and connects foreign producers with local talent, services, and diverse filming locations, fostering growth within the national film industry.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to ethical principles and the highest standards of professional practice. The firm distinguishes itself through a forward-thinking approach, consistently embracing legal innovation while serving a diverse clientele. At the heart of its mission is a core belief in civic duty, manifested through a dedicated effort to demystify the law and equip citizens with the knowledge necessary to build a stronger, more capable community.
