TV industry orgs including Canada Media Fund, Indigenous Screen Office and Tefefilm Canada are heading to Mexico next week as part of a government-run trade mission to build connections between the countries’ creative industries—and Lopii Productions is going along for the ride with an apropos new series in its library.

This Team Canada Trade Mission will run from February 15 to 20, making stops in Mexico City and Guadalajara, where Lopii and other participants will connect with Mexican studios, animation partners and talent. There are 300 companies represented from various industries, including creative media, says Lopii co-founder Rennata López. 

The delegation is part of the Canadian government’s goal to “diversify and strengthen trade relationships” with countries other than the US, according to a brief about the event. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has made no bones about the fact he wants to build an economy that’s less reliant on America, noting at the World Economic Forum last month that Canada has “signed 12 other trade and security deals on four continents in six months”. 

This particular trade mission has been in the works for several months, with Carney announcing his intention back in September to set up “long-term trade and investment opportunities” between Mexican and Canadian industries.

And it’s a natural fit for Lopii, whose co-founders Georgina and Rennata López are Mexican-Canadian producers focused on making shows that highlight diversity. In fact, their latest series, M is for Me, is a preschool concept spotlighting inclusivity and celebrating being Canadian amid Canada’s economic feud with its closest neighbor.   

Lopii is also hoping to spark interest in a new animated/live-action series in development for tweens called So Dead (10 x 30 minutes). It’s about twin sisters (like Georgina and Rennata) who have the power to travel between the animated Land of the Dead and the live-action Land of the Living. This spooky/scary serialized story has similar vibes to Wednesday and Stranger Things, but for an eight- to 13-year-old audience. It’s also got a budget of roughly US$4.4 million (CAD$6 million). 

Rennata says the goal is to find a Mexican co-production partner (although Lopii is looking for partners in Canada, too). Once this is accomplished, this series will be the studio’s first co-pro. Working with Mexican talent will be another new experience that should help Lopii authentically showcase the culture of its co-founders. 

The Consulate of Canada in Guadalajara, Global Affairs Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage have collaborated to organize the trade mission. 

For the Canada Media Fund, meanwhile, the mission is a way to strengthen the longstanding connection between Canadian and Mexican talent, says Valerie Creighton, fund’s president and CEO. She notes Guillermo Del Toro as one example of a Mexican creative whose films, like The Shape of Water and Frankenstein, have benefited from Canadian talent and expertise.

“This economic mission to Mexico is an important step in consolidating the global presence of Canada’s screen industry,” says Creighton. “By connecting Canadian creators and companies with new Mexican partners, we are opening doors to long-term trade, co-production and innovation opportunities.” 

The mission could also help Canadian stories reach new audiences both in Mexico and abroad, she says. “Mexico is a dynamic and growing market,” adds Creighton. “This trade mission will give the CMF valuable insight into its business culture while showcasing the creativity, expertise and competitiveness that define our industry.”

Updated with quote from CMF’s Valerie Creighton. 

Image courtesy of Lopii Productions.