Alquimia looks for screenwriters with Puerto Rican connections

Alquimia’s Call For Entries initiative, partly sponsored by the Film Commission, wants to find screenwriters with direct connections to Puerto Rico.

Alquimia was founded by Puerto Rico-born Roberto Busó-García, a former chief film evaluator and manager of film programming for HBO Video, HBO Latino and Cinemax.

Writers with no connection to Puerto Rico can be part of writing teams with selected Puerto Rican screenwriters (etails can be found at www.alquimiafilms.com).

“It took us more than two years to come up with a sensible plan and get the right people interested and on board. We’re really grateful to the Puerto Rico Film Commission for having seen the potential for this search and for providing the financial and structural support. We’re very excited to finally launch this initiative together,” Busó-García added.

Puerto Rico Film Commission executive director Mariella Pérez Serrano added: “providing this opportunity is another way of stating that we believe in the new voices that haven’t found a place to express themselves. Although these are challenging times, artists will continue to create. And with this initiative, we continue to support all the phases of the filmmaking process”

“This initial phase of the project includes identifying the best screenwriters and match them with projects that will maximize Puerto Rico’s excellent film incentives and feature some sort of co-production with a larger market,” explained Busó-García. Alquimia plans to work with Puerto Rico’s lucrative tax credits, its Film Fund for local work, and financing from the private sector.

After screenwriters are recognised, Alquimia aims to connect them with industry resources and financing. For instance, US distributor Strand Releasing would like to explore serving as distributor, sales agent or co-producer on select Alquimia Films projects.

The Alquimia team also includes consultant Erica Motley (formerly of UIP) and project director/PR executive Soldanela Rivera.