Full Breakdown
Argentine Spin-Off of “Jimmy and Stiggs” Secured at Cannes Fantastic Pavilion
6/10/2026, 2:14:30 AM
Deal Secures Argentine Expansion
Argentine spin-off rights to the neon-drenched alien horror film “Jimmy and Stiggs” were optioned by filmmaker Sebastián De Caro at the Cannes Marché du Film’s Fantastic Pavilion. The MorbidoGate IP Showcase closed the deal, naming Eli Roth and Joe Begos as executive producers. The spin-off will follow new characters confronting the same extraterrestrial threat in Argentina.
Original Film and The Horror Section
“Jimmy and Stiggs,” written, directed and starring Joe Begos, was shot on 16 mm over nearly four years in his Los Angeles apartment. It premiered at Beyond Fest in 2024 and received a U.S. theatrical release in August 2025 through The Horror Section, Eli Roth’s genre studio.
Key Players
- Sebastián De Caro – Argentine director and co-writer of the spin-off.
- Joe Begos – Creator of the original film; executive producer of the spin-off.
- Eli Roth – Founder of The Horror Section; executive producer on the Argentine project.
- MorbidoGate – Alliance of Globalgate Entertainment and Grupo Mórbido that runs the Cannes IP Showcase.
Timeline of Development
- 2024 – “Jimmy and Stiggs” premieres at Beyond Fest (Los Angeles).
- 2026 – Cannes Fantastic Pavilion hosts MorbidoGate IP Showcase; Argentine spin-off rights are optioned and the deal closed.
Impact on Global Horror Market
The deal shows that horror concepts can cross language and cultural borders, reinforcing the Fantastic Pavilion’s role as a hub for genre projects that “don’t need a visa.” The Argentine adaptation highlights the commercial potential of adaptable IP.
Official Statements & Responses
The Horror Section confirmed Roth and Begos as executive producers, emphasizing its aim to build a controllable genre library. MorbidoGate described the IP Showcase as a bridge for adaptable horror concepts. De Caro voiced enthusiasm for an Argentine version, and Meg Thomson expressed confidence in his approach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Working with Eli Roth and Joe Begos is an incredibly exciting adventure,” — Sebastián De Caro, Director
- “ Roth likewise expressed his admiration for the Argentine multi-hyphenate: “I’m a huge fan of Seba de Caro and the team at MorbidoGate, and ‘Jimmy and Stiggs’ is the perfect template for how we see films from The Horror Section.” — Eli Roth, Founder, The Horror Section
- “The goal of the IP Showcase at Cannes is to strengthen the fantastic film industry by connecting IP that can travel — and genre doesn’t need a visa,” — Pablo Guisa Koestinger, Executive Director, Fantastic Pavilion & CEO, Morbido Group
- “We’re thrilled to collaborate with The Horror Section and Morbido on finding great IP with the power to travel. Begos’ ‘Jimmy and Stiggs’ is a wild ride, and it’s fantastic to imagine those aliens invading other countries. We’re confident that Sebastián will bring a bold approach to this distinctive IP.” — Meg Thomson, EVP, Globalgate Entertainment
What’s Next
De Caro will start pre-production in Argentina, co-writing with Matías Orta. Development is slated for 2026; no release date is set. Stakeholders expect the spin-off to boost transnational horror IP.
