Cuba Launches Isla Abierta, the Driving Force of Latin American Cinema

Havana is preparing to host MECLA–Isla Abierta 2025, the Latin American Film Market, from December 7 to 11 — an event designed to energize the region’s audiovisual sector. The call for participation will remain open until November 15 and will coincide with the 46th edition of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, turning the Cuban capital into a strategic meeting point linking Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eurasia.

This new audiovisual market promotes an inclusive and dynamic vision. It seeks to boost the circulation of content and talent, establish cooperation routes between East and West, and foster investment opportunities and strategic alliances. Organizers emphasize that Isla Abierta is not merely an exhibition space but also a platform showcasing the region’s creative, technical, and economic potential within international markets.

The call is open to producers, distributors, sales agents, festival programmers, digital platforms, production and post-production service companies, startups, and technology developers connected to the audiovisual sector. It also welcomes filmmakers, creative collectives, academic institutions, regional associations, film authorities, and representatives of new media.

Tania Delgado, director of the Festival, told Juventud Rebelde that “Isla Abierta offers the ideal environment to connect East and West through routes of exchange and investment opportunities.” She added that “the event will promote content, talent, and projects while facilitating dialogue between Latin American cinema and the Eurasian region.” According to Delgado, “the audiovisual industry needs these types of spaces to interact with external players and expand internationally.”

Representatives from Russia, Indonesia, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras, and China, among other nations, are expected to attend. With this initiative, Havana positions itself as a key hub for the development of Latin American cinema on the global stage.