Habanero Scores Exclusive U.S. Rights for \’This Island\’ at Tribeca Fest (Exclusive)

Habanero Film Sales, based in Rio de Janeiro, has acquired global distribution rights for \”This Island\” (\”Esta Isla\”), which marks the directorial debut of Lorraine Jones Molina and Cristian Carretero. This film will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival’s U.S. Narrative Competition. Organized by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, the New York-based event takes place from June 4-15 this year.

The CEO of Habanero Film Sales, Alfredo Calviño, finalized the deal with the filmmaking pair Jones Molina and Carretero, who also serve as producers.

At Habanero, we revel in being captivated by remarkable tales, particularly when they originate from up-and-coming artists. According to Calviño, \”We believe \’This Island\’ possesses every ingredient necessary to become an engaging contribution to the thriving wave of Caribbean cinema, which has gained prominence and accolades at leading global film festivals and within the arthouse circuit.\”
Velvet Voque.
\”They are movies characterized by a distinctive vivid energy, an arresting color scheme, authenticity, and human essence all at once,\” he noted.

Portrayed as an intimate and touching depiction of life in Puerto Rico, which delves into the intricacies of identity, endurance, and colonial history, \”This Island\” unfolds in a seaside community in Puerto Rico. Here, teenager Bebo (portrayed by Zion Ortiz) and his sibling resort to criminal activities for survival. After a scheme takes a wrong turn, Bebo flees alongside Lola (played by Fabiola Brown), who has escaped from her affluent background. While traversing the dwindling rural areas of the island, danger approaches relentlessly, compelling Bebo to face his previous choices and decide whether he will seek atonement—or take refuge in the ocean.

The remaining members of the cast include Xavier Morales, Teófilo Torres, Audicio Robles, Georgina Borri, Omar Iloy, Sean Ortiz, Jeniffe Fret, and Bryan Minaya.

The instant we spoke with Alfredo, it became evident just how strongly tied he is to Caribbean cinema and his deep comprehension of our film along with its nuanced message,\” stated the directors pair, continuing, \”The collection of movies represented by Habanero truly resonates with us—bold, socially aware, and artistic, covering all corners of Latin America.

Other Habanero picks feature \”Chronicles of the Absurd,\” a film by Cuban filmmaker Miguel Coyula, \”Isla Familia,\” directed by Cuba\’s Abraham Jiménez Enoa and Claudia Calviño, along with \”On the Invention of Species\” from Ecuadorian creator Tania Hermida.

In late March, the sales agency, which has been around for over 30 years, secured the worldwide sales rights to Panamanian Annie Canavaggio\’s documentary \”
The Panama Canal Treaties
— \”Son of Tiger & Mule\” (\”Hijo de Tigre y Mula\”) before its exclusive showing at the Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama).