Latin Quarter buys worldwide rights to *Maltrato Animal*

Latin Quarter Distribution has snapped up world sales rights to Uruguayan crime thriller *Maltrato Animal* (“Animal Budget”), marking another step for Latin American genre cinema onto the global stage. The Paris-based outfit closed the deal after a rough-cut screening of the film at Locarno’s First Look, a post-production showcase that gives emerging and established filmmakers from one country a high-profile platform. This year’s spotlight was on Uruguay, a small nation punching above its weight in co-productions and genre hybrids.

The acquisition comes at a time when Latin American thrillers are drawing serious attention beyond their borders. Films like *The Aura* and *La Isla Mínima* proved the region could deliver tightly wound crime stories with international appeal, and *Maltrato Animal* fits the mold—a dark, atmospheric tale set against Uruguay’s urban underbelly. Locarno’s First Look slot acts as a springboard, giving buyers a first look at unfinished films with market potential. For Uruguay, it’s a chance to position itself not just as a source of literary adaptations but as a producer of sharp, exportable genre cinema.

Behind the deal sits José Dell’Acqua, a Montevideo-based writer-director whose earlier work *El Baile de la Victoria* (2009) screened in Venice. *Maltrato Animal* follows an inspector hunting a killer who weaponizes animal cruelty, a premise that blends procedural tension with social commentary. Sales agents say the film’s rough cut already sparked interest from buyers in Europe and North America, suggesting it could travel well in festivals and arthouse markets. The final cut is due later this year.

For Latin Quarter, the move reinforces its push into Latin American genre titles after recent deals on Argentine horror *El Fin del Sol* and Chilean thriller *Prófugos: La Película*. The company is betting distributors outside the region will respond to Uruguay’s polished craftsmanship and taut storytelling. If *Maltrato Animal* lands major festival slots in 2025, it could open doors for more Uruguayan films—and more deals like this one.