Colombian sales and distribution company Doc:Co is venturing into the global sales arena with its first international pick up, Chilean-Colombian co-production “Otra Piel.”
The debut feature documentary of Patricia Correa, “Otra Piel” is co-produced by Colombia’s Romeo, 235 Digital and Sonata Films alongside Chile’s Cine Matiz, founded by producer Gabriela Sandoval who co-runs another, more established label, Storyboard Media.
The doc revolves around Miguel, who at 38, is not just a taxidermist but also an accomplished hunter. His passion lies in creating a unique museum for visually impaired children, showcasing some of the species he skillfully preserves. As we delve into Miguel’s narrative, we unravel the prejudices associated with his craft, prompting us to reflect on our complex relationship with animals.
“It’s excellent news for Latin American cinema that Doc:Co is expanding and venturing into international sales of fiction and documentary films; They’ve been successful in distributing films in Colombia, like our ‘El Pacto de Adriana,’ said Sandoval who was at Ventana Sur to pitch Storyboard Media, Rio Estudios, Magma Cine project, “Box 205,” at the Buenos Aires confab’s SoloSeries section.
“By combining the experiences of both parties, we aim to chart the best path for the documentary,” she said, adding that Storyboard Media will be distributing “Otra Piel” in Chile while Doc.Co handles the rest of the world.
In a relatively short term, Doc:Co has released 43 films in Colombia, often breaking paradigms in the exhibition of movies. It has reached audiences unaccustomed to Latin American cinema, becoming a case study for its promotional strategies that have impacted over four million people on social media.
“As Doc:Co turns five, we’re eager to spread our impact to new places and have our films connect with audiences across multiple territories. We aim to build on the successes we’ve seen in Colombia, hoping for even more positive outcomes, and adding titles that showcase the voices of our filmmakers,” said Doc.Co head, Consuelo Castillo, who is also attending Ventana Sur.
Among the success stories of Doc:Co are: “Amparo” by Simón Mesa Soto, produced by Ocultimo; “Alis” by Clare Weiskopft and Nicolás van Hemelryck, produced by Casa Tarantula; “Un Varón” by Fabián Hernández (representing Colombia in the Oscar race), produced by Medio de Contención; “Anhell69,” directed by Theo Montoya; Diana Bustamante’s debut feature ‘”Nuestra Película” and “Una Madre,” produced by Antorcha Films.
Cine Matiz, founded by Sandoval to handle smaller, auteur titles, has various films in different stages, including: “Aqui se escucha el silencio,” directed by Gabriela Pena and Picho García, a co-production with Grieta Cine (Chile) and Gris Medio (Spain), which is currently in the editing stage; and the upcoming fiction film “Despues de Elena,” the second feature film by director Shawn Garry, starring Chile’s Alfredo Castro. It is a co-production with Creative Content (Chile), Magma Cine (Argentina), and Zoe Film (Italy). Principal photography is slated for June 2024.