Since its launch in 2018, the Focus COPRO’ organised by the SFC | Rendez-vous Industry at the Marché du Film has become a key initiative to connect emerging talent with the global film industry. Designed to bridge the gap between short and feature films, it offers tailor-made guidance and crucial exposure to international decision makers.

We had the chance to speak with Mayca Sanz, producer of Face of Grace (Cara de santa), the feature debut by Anna Martí and Laura Santos. According to the team, “In this drama with a satirical undertone, we aim to talk about the relationship between violence and femininity, and place at the centre of the story what happens in our society when the rules of coexistence are challenged by those who should not be doing so.” Sanz is producing with her outfit, Allegra Films, alongside co-producer Nocturna Pictures. The project is one of the seven titles selected for Focus COPRO’ and has now been announced as one of those selected for the second edition of the ECAM Forum, organised by the ECAM (Film and Audiovisual School of the Community of Madrid - see the news).

Cineuropa: What can you tell us about your project?
Mayca Sanz: Face of Grace is the first feature by directors Anna Martí and Laura Santos. The story follows a 63-year-old teacher in Barcelona, on the verge of retirement. She lives a seemingly normal life until one Christmas, when she takes her family to a Mass and, in the church car park, a man steals her parking spot.

And what happens next?
Something in her snaps. She gets out of the car and starts beating him. She just explodes. What we’re exploring is how her environment reacts to this sudden act of violence, which seems to come out of nowhere - but maybe it doesn’t.

That sounds intense.
It is, but there’s also a touch of absurdity in how others perceive and respond to her. The film raises questions like: would people react the same way if she were a man? How many invisible pressures do we carry around every day without even noticing them?

Is this a departure from the directors' previous short films?
There’s no direct link. Their earlier shorts are quite different in tone and theme. This is their most daring work so far.

Where are you at in terms of production and financing?
We’re currently looking for international partners. We plan to apply this year for support from regional broadcasters in Catalonia, and we have separate funding streams from the rest of Spain. Then, in 2026, we’ll apply for national and Catalan public funds. Ideally, we’d like to structure this as a minority co-production, perhaps a 90/10 split with another country. We’re actively searching for the right partners now [specifically in France, Belgium, Italy, Luxemburg, Portugal and Spain].