The debut feature by Mexican director Paulo Riquet will be produced in collaboration with Animal de Luz Films (Mexico) and will include filming in northern Chile.
The relationship between JUNTOS and Animal de Luz began two years ago, when an exploratory visit to Mexico revealed shared creative and production sensibilities that quickly led to joint projects. Since then, the two companies have collaborated on various initiatives and now celebrate a new step forward together.
7 Times 7 is a drama with elements of elevated horror, inspired by northern Mexican beliefs and rituals that explore reincarnation, the living dead, and humanity’s relationship with death. The film, which already has the support of the Mexican Film Fund, will be partly shot in Chile.
The decision stems from producer Inna Payán and director Paulo Riquet’s desire to explore a desert aesthetic distinct from the traditional Mexican imagery. The vastness and unique morphology of the Atacama Desert offer a landscape that will enrich the film’s visual and emotional dimension.
With over 20 years of experience, Animal de Luz has become one of Mexico’s leading production companies. Founded and led by Inna Payán, it has produced a range of projects that blend auteur cinema with broad audience appeal. Its catalog includes internationally acclaimed titles such as La Jaula de Oro, La Libertad del Diablo, Los Lobos (Generation KPlus Award, Berlinale), Todos están muertos and Busco novio para mi mujer, as well as series like El Recluso and Las Trece Esposas de Wilson Fernández.
In 2025, Animal de Luz premiered En El Camino, directed by David Pablos, at the Venice Film Festival, where it won both the Queer Lion and the Horizons Award. The company also fosters new generations of filmmakers through Circa24, a film school launched in partnership with EFD Studios.
For JUNTOS, this collaboration not only strengthens its creative bond with Animal de Luz, but also establishes a co-production model that brings foreign films to shoot in Chile, integrating local talent and reinforcing the national audiovisual industry.