Launched in 2015, the Primera Mirada competition at the International Film Festival of Panama has focused on boosting the cinema of Central America and the Caribbean. The works-in-progress showcased every year since always offer a nice cross-section of these booming film industries. With their partnership with Marché du Film, IFF Panama has been able to bring their Primera Mirada projects to the Cannes market at the most prestigious film festival in the world. Which is to say, here’s where your next favorite movies from the region make their first stop. It’s where Cocote and Noche de Calypso first emerged last year as must-see events.

Out of 67 projects submitted this year – a submission spike of almost 50% – the five chosen projects in 2018 exemplify the variety of work being done in the region. They include two music docs, two drama features, as well as an omnibus film with segments set in six different countries during a region-wide blackout. Find all of them below and commit their titles to memory as they’re sure to be making waves in the next year as they find distribution and make their way to festivals around the world.

Se entrega el fondo de nuestra sección de industria Primera Mirada a:

1er lugar: "En la caliente" del productor Fabien Pisani.#ViveIFFPanama ¡FELICIDADES! @BID_Panama pic.twitter.com/TJNXGBxjNw — IFF Panama (@IFFPanama) April 12, 2018