MMM Film Sales Takes International Rights to Ecuadorian Debut 'Princess'
Paris-based MMM Film Sales has acquired the international rights to Princess (Nusta), the first feature film by Ecuadorian director Christian Rojas, Variety reported on 26 October 2026. A sales company handles the film's rights outside its home country, finding cinemas, streamers and TV channels in other markets to show it.
The film will have its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, known locally as PÖFF, in Estonia. It is in the First Feature Competition, which is for debut films. The festival's 30th edition runs with competition screenings from 13 to 19 November 2026.
The story follows Kallpa, a 12-year-old Indigenous girl from the Andes who was born in a boy's body. Her dream is to be chosen as the ñusta, the sacred princess who takes part in her community's Winter Solstice Festival. The film is set in 1997, the year the Tallinn festival began, which makes it a fitting pick for a festival now turning 30.
Filming took place in the Austro, in the southern Andes of Ecuador. The shoot was based in the community of Sid Sid Añejo in Cañar. Ecuador's Epopeya and Oso Rojo Films produced the film, working with partners in Peru, Argentina, Mexico and Bolivia: Agua Florida, Hain Cine, Woo Films and Chao Pescao.
Matthias Angoulvant spoke on behalf of MMM Film Sales about the deal. Maria de los Angeles Palacios is one of the producers, associated with Epopeya. Rojas made his earlier film Chigualo before this debut.
The Tallinn festival lists Princess under drama and youth films. Its topics include family relationships, friendship, abuse, LGBTQ themes and sexuality, which the festival's film page sets out in its own listing. The festival's Official and First Feature Competitions together include 24 films, 21 of them world premieres.
For anyone in Tallinn during the festival, PÖFF is also hosting a free one-day film criticism workshop led by Victor Fraga on 8 November 2026. Those who want to see the film can check the festival's schedule once screening times are set for the competition.
For a debut director, a sales deal and a premiere slot at a major festival are the usual first steps. The film's route from here runs through the festival circuit, and then through the buyers who decide which cinemas and platforms will show it in each country.
