Argentinian filmmaker Ingrid Pokropek has been awarded the DALE! (Desarrollo América Latina-Europa) Award for her film The Illusions at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The DALE! Award is presented by the European Film Agency Directors Association (EFAD) and the Conference of Audiovisual and Cinematographic Authorities of Ibero-America (CAACI). It offers €10,000 in support for films that bridge Latin America and Europe. The Illusions is a co-production between Argentina and Spain. Pokropek, who also works as a producer and screenwriter, previously directed The Major Tones, a film co-produced by 36 Caballos, Gong Cine, and Jaibo Films. The Major Tones had its premiere at the Berlin and Mar del Plata film festivals and won two awards at Málaga: Best Ibero-American Film and Best Actress in the Zonazine section. The lead actor, who was 12 when the film was made, is now 17 and will also appear in The Illusions. The Illusions mixes comedy, drama, and fantasy and is set in Buenos Aires. The story follows three strangers who make wishes under the sky: a boxer dreaming of fame, a heartbroken musician searching for love, and a teenage girl hoping to bring back her deceased father. However, a mistake with a star causes each of them to receive someone else's wish, leading to a series of chaotic events. This supernatural element is also found in The Major Tones and several of Pokropek’s short films. Pokropek has said that the blend of Buenos Aires with elements of strangeness is central to her work, influenced by Argentinian fantastical literature, including writers such as Jorge Luis Borges. She is looking for more partners to support The Illusions, having already secured backing from an Argentinian fund and selective support from Spain’s ICAA. The film plans to shoot in September 2024 in Buenos Aires, with the city itself serving as a character. The production will focus on the downtown area, which has taken on an eerie quality since the pandemic, contrasting with the lively Calle Corrientes. Pokropek was attracted to the Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum because it offers Latin American filmmakers a chance to connect with potential collaborators. She thanked San Sebastián for supporting Argentinian cinema, which has faced challenges due to reduced support from the national film institute since the government of Javier Milei took office. On the topic of women in the film industry, Pokropek stressed the importance of increasing visibility for female directors and technicians. However, she prefers that audiences focus on the film itself rather than the director’s gender, stating that she would rather be judged on the quality of her work than her identity as a woman. She believes women need more space in areas that have traditionally been difficult to access.