Uruguay Could Host Ventana Sur 2024 Amid Argentina’s Funding Crisis
Negotiations are underway to relocate the 2024 edition of Ventana Sur, Latin America's premier film market, from Argentina to Uruguay. This would mark the first time in the event's 16-year history that it would not be held in Argentina, prompted by the country's ongoing arts funding crisis.
The potential move was announced during a reception in Cannes on Monday evening by Ventana Sur director Bernardo Bergeret, Marché du Film executive director Guillaume Esmiol, and Facundo Ponce de Leon of Uruguay Audiovisual. They revealed that discussions are in progress, with an official agreement anticipated by the end of June. The event is tentatively planned to take place in Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, which is less than an hour's flight from Buenos Aires, the traditional home of Ventana Sur.
Since its inception, Ventana Sur has been co-organized by Argentina's national film body, INCAA, and the Marché du Film. However, Argentina's financial instability has led to the suspension of audiovisual support funding for the past four months, aiming to stabilize INCAA's finances amidst a $4 million deficit.
Esmiol expressed pride in the market's history, stating, "It’s been 16 years and [Ventana Sur] is a wonderful market…. We’re very proud to be a co-organiser.” Further details will be announced at the end of June. Facundo Ponce de Leon added, "We have a lot of people pushing us to host this market in Uruguay. It’s a dream. We want to rethink this market with all our colleagues in Latin America."
The announcement follows reports from March that INCAA president Carlos Pirovano was considering alternating the market between Argentina and Uruguay each year. Pirovano took over after his predecessor Nicolas Batlle resigned in December in protest against the drastic measures implemented by Argentina's far-right president Javier Milei, who has taken significant steps to address the country's economic crisis.
In response to the funding cuts, the coalition Cine Argentino Unido staged a protest in Cannes on Sunday, similar to a previous demonstration in Berlin in February. These protests highlight the ongoing struggle for support within Argentina's filmmaking community.
As negotiations continue, the potential relocation of Ventana Sur to Uruguay represents a significant shift in the landscape of Latin American cinema, with further developments expected to unfold by the end of June.