Germany’s Weltfilm has boarded Bolivian filmmaker Martín Boulocq’s “Criminal Body,” a work-in-progress (WIP) at Santiago Intl. The film festival’s industry department run by the festival’s co-founder Gabriela Sandoval.

Founded in 2003 by Kristina Konrad and Christian Frosch, Weltfilm has participated in co-productions with Latin America, Africa and Europe, as it strives to produce films of all genres, including documentaries and arthouse pictures with international appeal.

It joins co-producers consisting of Boulocq’s CQ Films, Argentina’s Maravillacine and France’s L’Œil Vif. The project recently secured three funds in France: CNC, Toulouse Métropole and Procirep-Angola.

In the film within a film also written by Boulocq, locals Miguel and Marcos are involved in the production of an American horror film set in a sub-Andean forest. Miguel, a bodybuilder, takes on the role of the monster, while Marcos, a local farmer, provides his bulls for the shoot. Together they navigate a bizarre and unfamiliar world.

“As with all of Martin’s films, this project offers a penetrating look at political and social issues. This time the story is rich in subtlety and uniqueness. It tackles neo-colonialism from a new angle and explores the film itself and its marginalized characters,” said producer Andrea Camponovo, Bouloucq’s founding partner in CQ Films.

“It also has a highly developed formal approach, pushing the boundaries of genres (horror, documentary and fiction) and showcasing careful staging and composition in every shot,” she added. Camponovo plays a producer in the film alongside actors Miguel Michel and Marco Mercado.

“Criminal Body” was selected as a focus project at the Marché du Films Cannes Docs and has received funding from the IDFA Bertha Fund.

To get to Sanfics WIP program started at the WIP for the International Documentary Film Festival in Buenos Aires last year where it won the chance to participate in Málaga WIP 2024. There it received the pass to Sanfic’s WIP program.

“I place great value on the contributions that co-productions between countries can bring to a project, not only in financial terms but, more importantly, in the creative collaboration between the parties involved. Such collaborations enable a rich exchange of ideas and expertise, which improves the overall quality and depth of production. By leveraging the strengths and unique perspectives that each partner brings to the table, we can create truly exceptional films that resonate with diverse audiences,” Camponovo told Amount.

Boulocq, who studied film at the Jorge Sanjinés Andean School of Cinematography, burst onto the international scene at the age of 25 with his acclaimed debut film “The Most Beautiful of My Very Best Years” in 2005 where it played at major festivals including Locarno and San Sebastian. It was backed by LA-based indies Pretty Dangerous Films (dubbed KNR Prods.) and Arrival Cinema, who came on board in the post-production phase. Rodrigo Bellott (“Sex Addiction,” “White Llama”) served as an executive producer.

His latest film, “The Visitor” from 2022, had its world premiere at Tribeca where it won the award for best screenplay.

The 20th^Th Sanfic runs August 18-25.