International Co-Production of ‘Insectarium’ Links Latvia, Canada, Mexico, Spain

The stop-motion feature ‘Insectarium’ is a four-way co-production. Latvian producer Matiss Kaža, Canadian producer Daniela Mujica (Productions Ocho), Mexico’s Pimienta Films, and Spain’s Inicia Films are principal producers, with Trickster Pictures also attached.

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Mexican animator Sofia Carrillo, known for the short ‘Cerulia’, directs her first feature, ‘Insectarium’. The plot imagines a world without insects until an entomologist’s niece revives an Attacus Atlas moth. Monika Revilla wrote the screenplay.

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Latvia’s National Film Centre provides €250,000 (?$290,000), allowing Latvian 3D artists—some from ‘Flow’—to join. Telefilm Canada adds soft-money support in its latest round.

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Kaža said the funding creates a cultural bridge, enabling Latvian talent to work on a Mexican-led film. Mujica highlighted the collaborative nature and Canadian artisans’ contribution. Celis of Pimienta noted the project’s momentum from Latvian and Canadian producer involvement.

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The sources report no criticism or opposition.

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The excerpts are consistent; no contradictory data are identified.

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The co-production gives Latvia a rare role in a non-European stop-motion film, potentially expanding its animation export profile. Canadian involvement via Telefilm Canada signals North-American support for cross-regional projects, while Carrillo gains broader technical talent and financing, enhancing artistic scope and market prospects.

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> “Sofía Carrillo has a very special voice and animation style, so I was very glad to join ‘Insectarium’ as a co-producer,” Kaža told Variety. “As a producer of the Academy Award-winning ‘Flow,’ which had a tremendous success in Mexico, it feels especially meaningful to continue this connection through a collaboration with a Mexican production. We have just received confirmation of €250,000 in funding from the National Film Centre of Latvia, which means that Latvian 3D artists — several of whom also worked on Flow — will be able to join the project. This is a very special and unusual co-production for Latvia, as we are generally more used to co-producing within Europe.” — Matiss Kaža, Producer

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> “It is a great honor to co-produce this sensitive and imaginative work while collaborating with such highly regarded teams as Pimienta, Inicia and Trickster Pictures,” Mujica added. “Discovering Sofia Carillo’s work and vision is a true pleasure. This collaboration will allow many Canadian artisans and creators to contribute to this stop-motion film, which is sure to have a major impact on audiences. It also highlights the connections we can forge with Mexico and Spain for viable coproductions.” — Daniela Mujica, Producer, Productions Ocho

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> “Sofia Carrillo’s brilliant project keeps getting traction bringing support from fantastic producers that are coming of board to support her vision including from Latvia Matiss Kaža, producer of the Oscar-winning ‘Flow’ and from Canada Daniela Mujica which I’m sure it will get us to an amazing destination with their broad experience.” — Celis, Pimienta Films

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