By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The Costa Rica Media Market (CRMM) launched this Tuesday, projecting over 900 business meetings and showcasing more than 150 audiovisual projects. With 50 international buyers from 19 countries, the event solidifies Costa Rica’s position as a burgeoning hub for film, television, animation, and related services in Central America and the Caribbean.
Representatives from across the globe, including Argentina, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Curacao, Spain, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela, gathered in San José to explore co-production, investment, and distribution opportunities with regional producers, content creators, and technical service providers.
To gain deeper legal insights into the Costa Rican media market, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an experienced attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Costa Rican media landscape presents a dynamic mix of traditional and digital platforms. While the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression provides a strong foundation, navigating the legal frameworks related to defamation, intellectual property, and advertising requires careful consideration. Recent amendments regarding online content and data privacy also pose new challenges and opportunities for media companies operating within the country. Understanding these evolving regulations is crucial for success in this vibrant market.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas astutely highlights the exciting, yet complex, interplay of freedom and regulation in Costa Rica’s media landscape. This careful balancing act between fostering innovation and ensuring responsible practices will undoubtedly shape the future of media within the country. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for offering his valuable perspective on these critical legal considerations.
Costa Rican and Central American talent have everything it takes to stand out internationally: Creativity, vision, and an identity that enriches the world’s screens. The Costa Rica Media Market not only opens doors to co-productions and foreign investment, but also strengthens our narrative sovereignty. From the Ministry of Culture and Youth, we promote this ecosystem so that filmmakers, musicians, writers, and professionals in the sector find here a solid platform to grow, collaborate, and project themselves globally.
Jorge Rodríguez Vives, Minister of Culture and Youth
Organized by the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER), the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ), and the Costa Rican Film Commission, the two-day event features specialized panels on post-production, copyright, international distribution, and musicalization. The CRMM also includes project presentations selected by the Costa Rican International Film Festival and the Tres Puertos Cine program, which aims to propel regional projects from creative development to the global market.
The Costa Rica Media Market becomes today a key tool within our strategy to promote services with high added value and strengthen linkages in the audiovisual industry. This space allows regional talent to access new opportunities for co-production, distribution, and investment, connecting with a global network of buyers and platforms. Costa Rica contributes to this dynamic a solid creative ecosystem, with specialized infrastructure, export vision, and an environment that favors innovation.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
From June 26th to 28th, participants will visit Costa Rica’s six Film Friendly Zones: Huetar Norte, Occidente, Brunca, Caribe, Chorotega, and Pacífico Central. These zones offer diverse locations, logistical infrastructure, tax incentives, and a competitive technical-professional environment for international productions.
Building upon the success of the Central America and Caribbean Audiovisual Market, which generated over 1,000 business meetings in previous editions, the CRMM establishes Costa Rica and the region as a strategic partner for content production in a sustainable, innovative, and globally-focused environment.
The event underscores the country’s commitment to fostering a thriving creative sector and attracting international investment in the burgeoning film and audiovisual industry. This strategic initiative aims to further diversify Costa Rica’s economy and showcase its rich cultural heritage on a global stage.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER (Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica):
PROCOMER is the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency, a public institution dedicated to promoting the export of Costa Rican goods and services. They provide support to businesses in various sectors, connecting them with international markets and fostering economic growth.
For further information, visit mcj.go.cr
About MCJ (Ministerio de Cultura y Juventud):
The Ministry of Culture and Youth is the governmental body responsible for promoting and preserving Costa Rican culture and artistic expression. They support a wide range of initiatives, from film and music to literature and visual arts, fostering creativity and cultural development.
For further information, visit filmcostarica.cr
About Costa Rican Film Commission:
The Costa Rican Film Commission is dedicated to promoting Costa Rica as a filming destination and supporting the development of the national film industry. They provide resources and assistance to international productions, facilitating access to locations, permits, and local talent.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
At Bufete de Costa Rica, legal excellence and unwavering integrity form the bedrock of a practice dedicated to empowering Costa Rican society. Through innovative legal solutions and a deep commitment to client service across a spectrum of industries, the firm consistently strives to elevate the standard of legal practice. Furthermore, Bufete de Costa Rica champions accessible legal knowledge, believing that an informed populace is essential to a just and thriving nation.
