Blab Entertainment
Latvian Oscar-Winner Matiss Kaza Joins Sofia Carrillos First Feature, Insectario, Expanding Its International Production Base
In 2026, the first feature from Mexican stop‑motion filmmaker Sofía Carrillo, Insectario, secured a new international co‑producer: Latvian producer and Oscar‑winner Matīss Kaža. The partnership expands the film’s already diverse production base, bringing fresh funding and talent from Latvia and underscoring the growing trend of cross‑border collaborations in animation. It also positions Insectario for a 2028 release.
Insectario is a stop‑motion feature written by Monika Revilla and produced by Nicolás Celis—known for Roma and Prayers for the Stolen—and Valérie Delpierre, whose credits include Schoolgirls and 20,000 Species of Bees. The film is co‑produced by Mexico’s Pimienta Films, Spain’s Inicia Films, Canada’s Productions Ocho, and Latvia’s Trickster Pictures. The Canadian company, led by Daniela Mujica, will provide stop‑motion and post‑production support, with backing from Telefilm Canada and regional funds.
Latvian co‑producer Matīss Kaža, who co‑wrote and produced the 2024 Oscar‑winning animated feature Flow, announced that Insectario has received €250,000 from the National Film Centre of Latvia. The money will enable Latvian CG artists—some of whom worked on Flow—to join the production. Kaža told Variety that “Sofía Carrillo has a very special voice and animation style, so I was very glad to join Insectario as a co‑producer.”
The expanded partnership strengthens Insectario’s international profile. The film has already attracted attention at several markets and networking events over the past two years, including a spot in the Annecy Animation Showcase at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It also secured backing from Ibermedia Next in Spain, a program that supports Spanish‑language film projects. These developments position the feature for a broader distribution strategy and potential festival circuit in 2028.
Insectario builds on Carrillo’s aesthetic universe established in her earlier works, such as Cerulia and Prita Noire. Carrillo, who worked on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio second unit, said that the film will use the same puppets and sometimes the same sets as Cerulia, creating a visual continuity that fans of her stop‑motion style will recognize. The project’s blend of Mexican, Spanish, Canadian, and Latvian production teams reflects a growing trend of multi‑country co‑productions in animation, which can pool resources, talent, and market access.
The film is slated for a 2028 release, though a specific date has not yet been announced. With a robust international production team, secured funding, and a track record of festival exposure, Insectario is positioned to enter the global market as a high‑quality stop‑motion feature. Stakeholders will watch the 2028 release window for the film’s distribution deals, festival screenings, and potential award considerations.
Insectario is a stop‑motion feature written by Monika Revilla and produced by Nicolás Celis—known for Roma and Prayers for the Stolen—and Valérie Delpierre, whose credits include Schoolgirls and 20,000 Species of Bees. The film is co‑produced by Mexico’s Pimienta Films, Spain’s Inicia Films, Canada’s Productions Ocho, and Latvia’s Trickster Pictures. The Canadian company, led by Daniela Mujica, will provide stop‑motion and post‑production support, with backing from Telefilm Canada and regional funds.
Latvian co‑producer Matīss Kaža, who co‑wrote and produced the 2024 Oscar‑winning animated feature Flow, announced that Insectario has received €250,000 from the National Film Centre of Latvia. The money will enable Latvian CG artists—some of whom worked on Flow—to join the production. Kaža told Variety that “Sofía Carrillo has a very special voice and animation style, so I was very glad to join Insectario as a co‑producer.”
The expanded partnership strengthens Insectario’s international profile. The film has already attracted attention at several markets and networking events over the past two years, including a spot in the Annecy Animation Showcase at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It also secured backing from Ibermedia Next in Spain, a program that supports Spanish‑language film projects. These developments position the feature for a broader distribution strategy and potential festival circuit in 2028.
Insectario builds on Carrillo’s aesthetic universe established in her earlier works, such as Cerulia and Prita Noire. Carrillo, who worked on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio second unit, said that the film will use the same puppets and sometimes the same sets as Cerulia, creating a visual continuity that fans of her stop‑motion style will recognize. The project’s blend of Mexican, Spanish, Canadian, and Latvian production teams reflects a growing trend of multi‑country co‑productions in animation, which can pool resources, talent, and market access.
The film is slated for a 2028 release, though a specific date has not yet been announced. With a robust international production team, secured funding, and a track record of festival exposure, Insectario is positioned to enter the global market as a high‑quality stop‑motion feature. Stakeholders will watch the 2028 release window for the film’s distribution deals, festival screenings, and potential award considerations.
