The Puerto Rico Film Festival announced that Costa Rica will serve as the official Country of Focus for its upcoming 17th edition, scheduled for August 19‑23. This inaugural selection precedes the Costa Rica Media Market, a major industry gathering held in San José on July 14‑15.
The festival noted that this selection underscores the strengthening relationship between the two territories and creates new avenues for artistic and industry collaboration. As part of the spotlight, a delegation of Costa Rican filmmakers will be welcomed, and a program will feature contemporary Costa Rican cinema. Film Commissioner Marysela Zamora‑Villalobos will also attend, participating in activities that promote international collaboration, production incentives, and regional partnerships.
A festival statement emphasized that designating Costa Rica as the Country of Focus reflects the festival’s long‑term commitment to building stronger bridges between Caribbean and Latin American film industries, particularly as international co‑productions, shared funding, and cross‑border distribution grow in importance for independent filmmakers.
The statement continued, “This partnership provides an opportunity to deepen ties with Puerto Rico while introducing audiences and industry professionals to a new generation of Costa Rican storytellers.” It added that, for Puerto Rico, the collaboration reinforces the island’s ambition to become a strategic hub where Caribbean and Latin American cinema can work together, develop projects, and foster sustainable industry relationships.
Lester Rivé, founder and director of the Puerto Rico Film Festival, said, “For Puerto Rico, selecting Costa Rica as Country of Focus is more than a cultural exchange; it creates new opportunities for our filmmakers to connect internationally, showcase their work, develop co‑productions, and explore business and distribution opportunities throughout Latin America. Establishing these relationships now will strengthen the future of our regional film industry.”
Speaking with *Variety*, Zamora said the invitation reflects the growing recognition of Costa Rica as a dynamic player in the regional audiovisual ecosystem.
She added, “It provides our filmmakers, producers, and companies with another platform to forge international partnerships and showcase the quality of work produced in the country.” She also noted, “It signals that Costa Rica is increasingly contributing to regional dialogue, not only through its locations but through its talent, stories, and industry initiatives.”
Costa Rica’s audiovisual sector has experienced exponential growth over the past decade, highlighted by breakout films from directors such as Valentina Maurel, Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, Paz Fábrega, and Sofía Quirós Ubeda, which have been featured at major festivals including Cannes, Berlin, and Rotterdam.
Renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, the small yet mighty Central American nation has become an increasingly active participant in the international production market. In 2021, Costa Rica enacted its Law of Attraction of Film Investments, consolidating VAT refunds and tax exemptions for foreign productions. Today, the country offers up to a 90% VAT refund on local services for qualifying projects, amounting to roughly an 11.7% tax rebate, with repayment promised within 90 days.
In the previous year, Costa Rica secured $11.2 million in audiovisual investment across 87 international business opportunities—more than double the 41 deals from the prior year. The film commission attracted projects from Warner Bros. Discovery, Universal, and BBC Studios, providing close support that minimized bureaucracy and expedited technical documentation.
Beyond the Costa Rica‑focused activities and a comprehensive screening program, the Puerto Rico Film Festival has become known for an expanding industry platform that connects Puerto Rico with the global film community while celebrating diverse voices and emerging talent worldwide. The full program for this year is still pending announcement.