Tribeca Fest Title ‘This Island’ Nabbed by Habanero Film Sales

Rio de Janeiro-based Habanero Film Sales Acquires Worldwide Rights to “This Island” Ahead of Tribeca Premiere

Rio de Janeiro-based Habanero Film Sales has secured the worldwide rights to “This Island” (“Esta isla”), the debut feature film from Lorraine Jones Molina and Cristian Carretero. The film is set to premiere in the U.S. Narrative Competition at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place from June 4 to 15. Habanero Film Sales CEO Alfredo Calviño finalized the deal with the talented filmmaking duo, who are also the producers of the film.

Calviño expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating, “In Habanero, we are always thrilled to come across exceptional stories, especially when they come from emerging talent. ‘This Island’ has all the makings of a captivating addition to the thriving Caribbean film scene, known for its unique energy, vibrant colors, and raw humanity.”

“This Island” is described as a deeply personal and poignant portrayal of the Puerto Rican experience, delving into themes of identity, resilience, and colonial legacy. The story follows teenage Bebo (played by Zion Ortíz) and his brother as they resort to crime to survive in a coastal Puerto Rican town. When a deal goes awry, Bebo escapes with Lola (Fabiola Brown), a wealthy runaway, leading them on a journey through the island’s interior where they must confront their past and make life-altering decisions.

The film features a talented cast including Xavier Morales, Teófilo Torres, Audicio Robles, Georgina Borri, Omar Iloy, Sean Ortiz, Jeniffe Fret, and Bryan Minaya.

The directing duo expressed their gratitude for the partnership with Habanero Film Sales, highlighting the agency’s commitment to bold and socially conscious cinema. They stated, “From our first conversation with Alfredo, it was clear that he deeply understood our film and its message. We admire the diverse slate of films represented by Habanero, reflecting the artistic richness of the Latin American region.”

Habanero Film Sales has also acquired other notable films, including “Chronicles of the Absurd” by Cuban director Miguel Coyula, “Isla Familia” by Cuba’s Abraham Jiménez Enoa and Claudia Calviño, and “On the Invention of Species” by Ecuador’s Tania Hermida. Additionally, the agency recently acquired world sales rights to Panamanian filmmaker Annie Canavaggio’s documentary “The Panama Canal Treaties – Son of Tiger & Mule” ahead of its screening at the Panama International Film Festival.