Ver Cine Colombiano: Noticias | Proimágenes Colombia

Based on a true story, Sound of Freedom follows the journey of Tim Ballard, a former U.S. national security agent who left his job to combat human trafficking across Latin America, dedicating his life to rescuing hundreds of children. This U.S. film, available in Latin America since August 31, was directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and filmed in Bogota, Cartagena, Santa Marta, and the United States. The film's art direction was handled by Sara Escobar, with production by Marlene Rodríguez, Camilo Buendia, Jim Caviezel, Eduardo Verastegui, John Paul DeJoria, Jaime Hernández, Leo Severino, and John Couch. The production design was overseen by José Escobar, Leo Severino, and Paul Gómez. Notably, this film received support from the Colombia Film Fund (FFC), which provides a 40% reimbursement of audiovisual services expenses and a 20% refund of logistical service costs contracted with Colombian companies or individuals.
 
In What You Wish For, an American film supported by the FFC and directed by Nicholas Tomnay, we follow the story of Ryanes, a talented chef grappling with a gambling problem. Circumstances force him to flee to an unidentified South American country, where he's accompanied by his friend Jack, a more prestigious chef with his own set of challenges. Ryan is puzzled by how Jack funds his extravagant lifestyle and, despite himself, can't help but envy the opulence. After a disastrous turn of events, Ryan assumes his friend's identity, revealing the lengths Jack went to to maintain his dream lifestyle. The film features production design by Diana Trujillo and cinematography by Mateo Guzmán. It made its world premiere in the Official Selection of the 27th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival.
 
Paraíso blanco (Crazy Charlie), a Caracol Televisión series for ViX, directed by Camilo Villamizar and Juan Carlos Vásquez and produced by Amparo Gutiérrez and Darío Armando García “Dago”, made its premiere on July 20 on ViX+. The series, which benefits from CINA, is based on the life of Colombian drug trafficker Carlos Lehder and draws inspiration from Ron Chepesiuk's book Crazy Charlie. Set in the 70s and 80s, the show was filmed in New York, Miami, and Cartagena. It features Sebastián Osorio (El cartel de los sapos / The Snitch Cartel: Origins), alongside Polish actor Michal Malinowsky (Cómo casarse con un millonario / How to Marry a Millionaire), Camila Bordon (Chica vampiro / Vampire Girl), Andrés Castañeda (Un rabón con corazón / The Beauty and the Moody), Lina Tejeiro (Chichipatos / The Unremarkable Juanquini), and others.

Calle y Poché: sin etiquetas (Calle and Poché: no labels) is a docuseries directed by Natalia García and Liliana Moyano. The series follows the lives of Daniela Calle and María José Garzón, along with their close circle of friends. With nearly 40 million subscribers across their platforms, these influencers invite you to join them behind the screen on social networks, featuring a predominantly LGBTQ+ cast. This production, benefiting from CINA, made its debut on June 23rd on Prime Video.
 
Los iniciados (The Initiates), a thriller inspired by characters from the literary work of writer Mario Mendoza, is another original CINA production by Prime Video. It debuted on July 7, with subtitles available in 34 languages. This AG Studios production was written by Nicolás Serrano (Distrito salvaje / Wild District) and Esteban Orozco (Mala yerba / Bad Weed), directed by Juan Felipe Orozco (Saluda al diablo de mi parte / Greetings to the Devil), and produced by Rodrigo Guerrero (Jungle).
 
These productions join others that have benefited from Law 1556 and premiered in the first half of the year. The Colombia Film Fund (FFC) released Ambush on February 24 and Tomorrow Before After on April 13. CINA beneficiaries include La primera vez (Eva Lasting, February 15), El grito de las mariposas (The Cry of the Butterflies, March 8), La ley de la selva (The Law of the Jungle, March 15), the second season of Pálpito ("The Marked Heart," April 20), Perfil falso (Fake Profile, May 31), and Medellín (June 2).
 
Established through Decree 474 of 2020, the Audiovisual Investment Certificates - CINA, managed by Proimágenes Colombia and granted by the National Government, represent a tax discount equal to 35% of the expenses incurred by a foreign production company in the country for audiovisual and logistical services. This initiative aims to promote Colombia as a prime destination for audiovisual production. In 2023, the Ministry of Culture has allocated a maximum of 300 billion Colombian pesos (equivalent to US $73 million) for the issuance of these certificates.
 
Likewise, the quota allocated for compensation payments within the Colombia Film Fund - FFC for 2023 amounts to 9.15 billion pesos (US $2.3 million). When combined with the funds remaining from previous years, there is a total of 12,570 million pesos (US $3 million) available for compensation payments. In 2022, compensation payments totaling 7,991 million pesos (US $2 million) were approved for five new projects benefiting from the FFC.
 
For additional information on the incentives provided by Law 1556 of 2012 (Colombia Film Fund and Audiovisual Investment Certificates in Colombia), as well as access to the directory of audiovisual services and location resources, please visit www.locationcolombia.com.