Split Screen Acquires International Rights to ‘The End of Times’

Zagreb-based sales company Split Screen has acquired the international rights to the film “The End of Times,” which is slated for its world premiere at Critics’ Week, an independent section of the Venice Film Festival. The film, directed by Bibiana Rojas Gómez and Juan David Cárdenas Maldonado, follows the protagonist Salomé as she delves into five decades of family video archives in an effort to understand the root causes of her mother’s persistent sadness. This acquisition marks a significant step for the film as it prepares for its international debut on the prestigious festival circuit.

Critics’ Week at the Venice Film Festival is known for showcasing emerging directorial talent and independent cinema, providing a platform for films that might otherwise struggle to gain visibility. The selection of “The End of Times” for this sidebar suggests a strong artistic merit and a compelling narrative that resonated with the festival programmers. The film’s premise, centering on a personal journey through memory and familial history via home video, positions it within a genre that often explores themes of identity, loss, and the passage of time. The directors, Rojas Gómez and Cárdenas Maldonado, are expected to gain considerable exposure through this premiere.

Split Screen, the sales outlet responsible for securing these international rights, operates from Zagreb, Croatia, and specializes in representing and distributing films to a global market. Their role is crucial in connecting filmmakers with distributors and audiences worldwide, facilitating festival premieres, and negotiating sales deals. By acquiring the rights to “The End of Times,” Split Screen aims to leverage the film’s festival buzz to secure distribution agreements in various territories, thereby ensuring its wider availability to international audiences following its Venice debut. The specific territories for which Split Screen has acquired rights were not detailed in the announcement, but the scope is described as 'international.'

The narrative of “The End of Times” centers on Salomé’s quest to uncover the origins of her mother’s melancholy by meticulously examining a vast collection of family footage spanning fifty years. This introspective and potentially emotionally charged exploration of personal history is a hallmark of many acclaimed independent films. The film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, one of the oldest and most respected film festivals globally, provides a high-profile launchpad. The festival itself, established in 1932, is a key event in the film industry calendar, attracting filmmakers, distributors, critics, and cinephiles from around the world. The inclusion in Critics’ Week, specifically, highlights the film’s independent spirit and its focus on artistic expression over commercial appeal, though successful festival runs often lead to increased commercial interest and distribution opportunities.