🎉 Ventana Sur Wraps Successful 16th Edition in Montevideo with Positive Results
The 16th edition of Ventana Sur, held in Montevideo, Uruguay, concluded with resounding success, delivering positive outcomes for both organizers and participants. Over the course of five days, the event drew more than 2,300 industry professionals from over 50 countries, reinforcing its position as Latin America’s most important audiovisual gathering.
This year’s edition saw a significant increase in international participation, with a dynamic program featuring 60 conferences, 50 exhibition spaces, and numerous networking sessions that fostered exclusive opportunities for collaboration and co-production. The screenings also attracted strong attendance, with over 55 films presented to engaged audiences.
In a major expansion, Ventana Sur doubled the number of sections, introducing a total of 10 distinct programs for the first time. Alongside well-established sections like Primer Corte, Copia Final, Proyecta, Animation, and Blood Window, five exciting new initiatives were launched:
- Latam Series Market: Fostering connections between key regional players in serialized content
production. - Maquinitas+: Bringing together all the major professionals from the gaming industry.
- Entre Guiones: Facilitating connections between emerging scriptwriters and industry professionals.
- En Breve: Supporting short films in post-production or near completion, with strategic mentorship for selected projects.
- Ventana Doc: A boutique space offering documentary filmmakers a platform to present their works to key industry players.
Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes remarked: “A few months ago, we took on the challenge of relocating Ventana Sur to Montevideo. With 2,300 participants from over 40 countries, continuous programming, exceptional locations, and an ambitious lineup, we can confidently say it was the best decision possible. The outstanding support from both the city and the country has been crucial to our success. This achievement reflects the trust placed in us by industry professionals and highlights the dynamic nature of the Latin American film sector, supported by the expertise of the Marché du Film, ACAU, and INCAA teams.”
Facundo Ponce de León, President of ACAU, added: “We are thrilled to have hosted the first-ever Rioplatense edition of Ventana Sur here in Uruguay. The collaboration with Cannes’ Marché du Film has been truly rewarding. We believe this edition marks a significant milestone in Ventana Sur’s long history. We hope that all participants left with a sense of the unique energy of Uruguay and Montevideo, along with a positive impression of our country.”
This successful relocation to Uruguay was made possible through the collaboration of the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes, National Institute of Cinema & Audiovisual Arts of Argentina (INCAA) and Uruguayan Film & Audiovisual Agency (ACAU).
A key driver behind the success of this year’s event is Uruguay’s growing prominence as an audiovisual hub within Latin America. The country has made significant progress in establishing itself as a center for audiovisual production, thanks to targeted policies that support the sector’s development. These initiatives have created a dynamic environment for both domestic and international productions, positioning Uruguay as an attractive destination for filmmakers from around the globe.
Since its inception in 2009, Ventana Sur has become a central meeting point for the global audiovisual community. Each year, the event draws thousands of accredited participants, including 250 buyers and sellers from around the world. The 2024 edition of Ventana Sur underscores, once again, its pivotal role in promoting and showcasing Latin American cinema and audiovisual works.
Read the full press release to see the list of this year’s award recipients!