During the closing of the third edition of Content Americas, the winners of the Content Americas Copro Pitch and the Hispanic Kids Programming Pitch were announced. “The Perfect Target,” a dark comedy thriller from Diego Martinez Ulanosky (Netflix’s Unstoppable), has won the Content Americas Copro Pitch, while music-focused live-action series “La Covacha” has won the Hispanic Kids Programming Pitch.
Developed by Mexico City-based Caponeto, “The Perfect Target” follows a man whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel when his lover disappears, leaving him with a massive debt and an extravagant loan shark accusing him of her murder.
“We found it an imaginative blend of stylish, noirish thriller and social satire, applying a playful tongue-in-cheek approach to a very timely theme,” said the judging panel after what it called a “difficult and drawn-out deliberation.”
The panel of judges for the Content Americas Copro Pitch consisted of Holly Hines, co-CEO and founder of Happy Accidents; Brendan Fitzgerald, CEO of Secuoya Studios; and Steve Matthews, head of scripted, creative, at Banijay Entertainment.
Ulanosky is writer, director and producer on “The Perfect Target,” which also counts Livi Herrera and Manuel Marti among its producers.
“We felt it could be successful and relevant to local audiences, and believe this fresh approach gives it potential to resonate with international markets as well,” added the judges.
“La Covacha,” developed by fellow Mexico City outfit Balassa Films, follows a young girl who embarks on an unexpected journey with her grandfather as she pursues her dream of becoming a pop star. The project is being written, produced and directed by Marisol Mijares and Alex Balassa.
“We selected ‘La Covacha’ based on Balassa Films’ thoughtfully crafted pitch, which displayed a personal connection to a story full of heart,” said the judging panel.
The panel for the Hispanic Kids Programming Pitch comprised Agnes Augustin, president and CEO of the Shaw Rocket Fund; Agustina Dompé, senior manager, content acquisition, at The Walt Disney Company Latin America; Pablo Zuccarino, head of kids and animation, Lat Am, and portfolio strategy, international, at Warner Bros Discovery Latin America; kids media specialist Adina Pitt; and Carolina Lightcap, CEO at LightCubed Media.
“We think ‘La Covacha’ has the potential to be developed into a fresh series with commercial appeal, highlighting universal themes of generational contrasts and connections, and warm family ties,” said the panel.
Both projects will receive US$20,000 worth of marketing across C21Media’s digital, print and event products to support development and pre-sales promotion.
The Copro Pitch received 60 submissions, with five of those pitching at Content Americas on Tuesday. The Hispanic Kids Programming Pitch received more than 40 submissions, from which five finalists presented their pitches yesterday.
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