Cielito Studio Partners With Director And Producer Joe Menendez For A Slate Of General Entertainment Films

Cielito Studio, the company founded by Carla Gómez, has entered into a partnership with U.S. director, producer, and writer Joe Menendez, whom Gómez described as “a Emmy-nominated producer and director, a multi-genre veteran and versatile storyteller with a strong track record across television and film. His directing credits include one-hour dramas such as Elsbeth (CBS), Quantum Leap (NBC), as well as episodes of Snowpiercer, Evil, and Star Trek: Picard.”

The alliance focuses on the co-production of a slate of films led by female characters and aimed at female audiences. “These are very commercial films, general entertainment, and very easy to watch as a family. They’re not for children, but they’re PG—similar to what you see a lot on Netflix and ideal for family viewing,” she explained.

Gómez noted that several titles from this partnership are already in negotiations and that, when the time comes, she will announce with whom they are discussing exhibition.

She added that the main focus is for the films to be made for streaming platforms and theatrical release in Latin America.

“We want to make these films in Spanish, and as a second step for my company, I want to start creating a slate for the U.S. Hispanic market, which could be in English or Spanish—whatever feels organically right for the story. Right now, I’m open to what the story naturally requires, and that would be the next step for my company, which I’m working hard to achieve this year,” she said.

Gómez said the goal is to begin shooting the films this year. “We already have the scripts finished. We want to produce these films in Latin America, in Spanish, because we believe that if it’s a Mexican story, it should be made in Mexico; if it’s Colombian, in Colombia; if Argentine, in Argentina. It’s important to be where the stories take place. If there are tax incentives available through co-productions—such as with Spain—we’re also open to using those. Initially, the point is that we want to produce them in Latin America,” she stated.

FEMALE FOCUS

Gómez explained that the idea of launching Cielito Studio with a female focus came from her own experience as a creator and executive producer. She has found success creating content aimed at female audiences “because I truly understand it—it speaks to my reality as a woman, the reality of my friends, the people I know, what I read, and I understand it on an emotional level. I feel the content suits me very well because it’s deeply rooted in women’s reality, and it’s very important to tell women’s stories across the full spectrum—not only as victims or martyrs. Those stories exist and are real and must be told, but we can also tell stories about a person’s inner life, comedies, family dynamics, or the female lineage of a family. The range is very broad.”

She added that romantic comedy also works extremely well with female audiences and attracts men. “The point isn’t to be exclusive, but to speak to women and bring those stories to life. Commercially, I know this works, and I feel it in my heart to tell these stories. It’s a very personal project—it comes from my qualities and strengths as a creator,” she said.

CONTENT AMERICAS

Cielito Studio will attend C21’s Content Americas to introduce the company to industry attendees.

“My goal this year is to build original ideas and work with media companies to support the growth of their own slates—either by curating projects they want but are missing, or by helping move forward projects that are stalled or unclear but have something special there. That’s my specialty: taking projects with potential and truly bringing them to a commercial point where they can be sold, produced, and made. Those are my two goals,” she concluded.