Even in a scaled-down version and in the midst of a major overhaul, LA Screenings Independents remains a market of enormous importance within the Latin American audiovisual industry calendar.
By Luis Cabrera, from Los Angeles, USA
The 2026 edition of LA Screenings Independents wrapped up this Friday with its second and final day at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, giving way to the start of screenings by the major U.S. studios.
It was a bittersweet outcome for the participants of LASI 2026. On the positive side, the event’s importance was reaffirmed, as was the organization’s wise decision to move the venue to the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, whose location and facilities proved to be better suited to its current format and scale.
However, the number of buyers in attendance—particularly on the first day—was not sufficient to fill the schedules of all the more than 50 exhibitors participating in the event. While several expressed satisfaction with the quality of the meetings held—a key element in market analysis—several others noted that there were significant absences.
The truth is that the current economic situation facing countries like Bolivia, Ecuador, and several others in Latin America has constrained broadcasters’ budgets, and it is not surprising that many did not attend or, as in the case of Uruguay, Peru, or Costa Rica, sent only small delegations.
LASI remains a key event on the audiovisual calendar; a very important gathering for the Latin American industry, serving as a bridge between the in-person events in January in Miami and those in October in Cannes or November in Cancún. The challenge lies in how to reposition Los Angeles as an unmissable event for all players in the Latin American industry, beyond its current status.
Announcements and Content News
During LA Screenings Independents 2026, several companies chose to make major announcements, such as TV Azteca, which launched its new production hub.
Canal 13 also showcased its strength in Los Angeles with a delegation comprising Cristian Ciudad, manager of Canal 13’s free-to-air TV division; Carola Silva, from the channel’s Culture department; and Mauricio Huenteneao, head of the International division. The Chilean channel is currently enjoying great success in both formats and micro-dramas as well as original production.
In terms of content, Atresmedia Sales once again showcased its spectacular catalog of premium titles, such as Las hijas de la criada, La Nena, and 33 días; while Record TV presented the remastered version of La esclava Isaura and previewed another remastering project, this time for the soap opera Esas mujeres.
At the same time, VIP 2000 shared its latest offerings, which include, foremost among them, the film La última semana de Jesús, set to premiere in October of this year.
CDC United Network, for its part, has high expectations for the comedy Coyote vs. Acme will have: “Without a doubt, I believe it is truly the product with the greatest commercial potential we’ve ever had in our history,” said Jimmy Van der Heyden, Sales Manager at the distributor.
On the Turkish content front, always a highlight of these events, ATV Distribution announced the second season of A.B.I: A Broken Inheritance, a title that has broken records in Turkey and hopes to replicate that success in Latin America.
The second day of LASI 2026 concluded with a cocktail reception hosted by Inter Medya (main photo) in its spectacular suite.
This Saturday, screenings by the major studios will begin, with Paramount and Disney being the first to host international buyers, and Telefilms holding its traditional event at the SLS Hotel.
