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Panama City — Prior to the launch of Iff Panama in 2012, Panama’s film production was virtually non-existent. With the aid of the festival, the national film fund, and impetus created by an influx of foreign shoots, local productions have secured an increasingly important role at the domestic box office.

Several projects now enjoy multi-territory releases – such as Abner Benaim’s “Ruben Blades Is Not My Name” and Arturo Montenegro’s “Frozen in Russia,” both released in 2018.

Iff Panama has increased visibility for local films and helped local helmers set their sights on the international market.

Seven Panamanian films are screening at the 8th Iff Panama; other promising projects are in production or pre-production.

All projects explore the complex, multi-faceted dimensions of Panamanian culture, ranging from tropical rainforests and indigenous tribes to the legacy of decades of U.S. presence.

Miguel González’s half-hour documentary, “The Fourth Estate,” turns on corruption...

Panama City — Cuban Reggaeton documentary “En La Caliente,” won the $10,000 first prize and a trip to this year’s Cannes Film Market in the 4th Primera Mirada pix-in-post sidebar.

Omnibus film “Dias de Luz” was awarded the $5,000 second prize.

“Caliente” focuses on Rubén Cuesta Palomo (aka Candyman), Cuba’s best known reggaeton artist in the early 2000s.

“Now he’s like a king without a crown. Nobody listens to him any more,” said producer Alejandro Tovar. “Maybe it’s because he’s too political. Maybe he was ahead of his time.”

The Primera Mirada jury enjoyed the pic’s playful spirit and its exploration of issues of class and race and the differences between high and low art, including the Cuban Institute of Music’s ambivalent attitude towards reggaeton.

Omnibus pic “Dias de Luz” impressed the jury because of its capacity to engage with audiences throughout Central America (see separate...

The 4th Iff Panama’s Primera Mirada pix-in-post sidebar has selected five features – from Cuba, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama – and an omnibus film, “Dias de Luz” (Days of Light), produced by six Central American countries.

The number of films submitted to the Central America and Caribbean sidebar has risen by almost 50% this year – 32 films were submitted in 2015, 46 in 2016, 48 in 2017 and 67 this year.

Sales agents attending the work-in-progress creenings – which run April 9-10 – include FiGa Films, Habanero Film Sales, Weisner Distribution, the Havana Film Festival, Berlinale and OpenReel.

Projects will be screened in exclusive private sessions for sales agents, distributors, and film festival programmers. The jury members are Mexican producer, Laura Imperiale, Panamanian writer, Daniel Domínguez Z., and veteran Peruvian director, Francisco J. Lombardi.

The sidebar is particularly important for the region’s filmmakers who often desperately require post-production completion finance and mentoring advice. Three out of last year’s...