He noted that while states like Jalisco and Morelos have introduced their own local incentives, the country lacks the kind of stable, nationwide framework found in countries like Spain, Brazil, or Colombia. Chavezmontes views the audiovisual sector not merely as a recipient of cultural subsidies, but as a significant industrial catalyst.
"We’ve reached a point where people understand that the audiovisual sector isn’t simply a matter of cultural support," he pointed out. "It’s an industrial catalyst." With Mexico’s existing talent pool, infrastructure, and diverse locations, Chavezmontes believes the country is well-positioned to be a major player in the international production market, provided the policy framework is there to support it.
Current Projects and Festival Presence
Piano’s current slate reflects its ongoing activity on the festival circuit. At this year’s Morelia Film Festival, the company is celebrating its anniversary with a significant presence. This includes "The Meltdown" (El Deshielo), Chile’s official submission to the Oscars, directed by Manuela Martelli, which Piano co-produced.
The company is also handling the distribution for five films at the festival: Poh Si Teng’s debut documentary feature "American Doctor," along with "Mickey," "The Lost Mariachis," "Shana," and "Beauty Salon." Looking ahead to the Ventana Sur market, Piano is participating in the Proyecta Co-Production Forum with "The Absence," the debut feature from Mexican director Jorge Sistos Moreno. Moreno previously gained attention when his short film "The Darkness" debuted at Cannes’ Critics’ Week.
As Piano continues to expand its reach, Chavezmontes maintains that the company’s guiding principle remains an authentic, non-cynical belief in the power of cinema. "We make films we genuinely believe in," he said. "And I think that conviction is what people recognize in us."
Filmography: A Decade of Global Collaborations
The breadth of Piano’s work over the last several years highlights its role as a key bridge between Latin American cinema and the global stage. Below is a selection of the company’s recent and upcoming credits:
- The Meltdown (El Deshielo) (2025) – Co-producer. Directed by Manuela Martelli. World Premiere: Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival.
- November (Noviembre) (2025) – Producer. Directed by Tomás Corredor. World Premiere: Toronto Film Festival, Competition.
- Our Land (Nuestra Tierra) (2025) – Documentary, Producer. Directed by Lucrecia Martel. World Premiere: Venice Film Festival.
- Disappearance (2025) – Co-producer. Directed by Kirill Serebrennikov. World Premiere: Cannes Film Festival.
- The Jockey (2024) – Co-producer. Directed by Luis Ortega. World Premiere: Venice Film Festival, Competition.
- Triangle of Sadness (2022) – Co-producer. Directed by Ruben Östlund. World Premiere: Cannes, Winner Palme d’Or.
- EAMI (2022) – Co-producer. Directed by Paz Encina. World Premiere: Rotterdam Film Festival, Competition.
- Malintzin 17 (2022) – Documentary, Producer. Directed by Mara Polgovsky and Eugenio Polgovsky. World Premiere: Rotterdam, Competition.
- Annette (2021) – Co-producer. Directed by Leos Carax. World Premiere: Cannes Film Festival, Competition.
- Memory (2021) – Producer. Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. World Premiere: Cannes Film Festival, Competition. Winner Jury Prize.
- Bergman Island (2021) – Co-producer. Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve. World Premiere: Cannes Film Festival, Competition.
- Pobo ‘Tzu (2021) – Documentary, Producer. Directed by Yollotl Alvarado and Tania Ximena. International Premiere: Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.
- Siberia (2020) – Producer. Directed by Abel Ferrara. World Premiere: Berlinale, Competition.
- The Intruder (El Prófugo) (2020) – Co-producer. Directed by Natalia Meta. World Premiere: Berlinale, Competition.
- Love Me Not (2019) – Producer. Directed by Lluis Miñarro. World Premiere: Rotterdam Film Festival.
- The Accused (Acusada) (2018) – Co-producer. Directed by Gonzalo Tobal. World Premiere: Venice Film Festival, Competition.
- Knife+Heart (La Daga en el Corazón) (2018) – Co-producer. Directed by Yann Gonzalez. World Premiere: Cannes Film Festival, Competition.
- Antígona (2018) – Documentary, Executive Producer. Directed by Pedro González-Rubio. International Premiere: Cinema du Réel.
- Land (2018) – Co-producer/Executive Producer. Directed by Babak Jalali. World Premiere: Berlinale.
- Time Share (Tiempo Compartido) (2018) – Producer/Screenwriter (Julio Chavezmontes). Directed by Sebastian Hofmann. World Premiere: Sundance Film Festival, Winner Special Jury Prize for Screenplay.
- Opus Zero (2017) – Producer. Directed by Daniel Graham. Premiere: Los Cabos Film Festival.
- The Gaze of the Sea (Los Ojos del Mar) (2017) – Documentary, Producer. Directed by José Álvarez. International Premiere: Visions du Réel.
- Resurrection (Resurrección) (2016) – Documentary, Producer. Directed by Eugenio Polgovsky. World Premiere: Eco Film Festival, Paris.
- We Are the Flesh (Tenemos la Carne) (2016) – Producer. Directed by Emiliano Rocha Minter. World Premiere: Rotterdam Film Festival.
- Death in Arizona (2014) – Documentary, Producer. Directed by Tin Dirdamal. World Premiere: Visions du Réel.
- Echo of the Mountain (Eco de la Montaña) (2014) – Documentary, Producer. Directed by Nicolás Echevarría. International Premiere: Cinema du Réel.
- Kwaku Ananse (2013) – Short, Producer. Directed by Akosua Adoma Owusu. World Premiere: Berlinale.
- Halley (2012) – Producer/Screenwriter (Julio Chavezmontes). Directed by Sebastian Hofmann. World Premiere: Sundance Film Festival.
