As expected, the war in Iraq had an impact on Encuentros, the first Iberoamerican market (March 21-25) held during Mexico's Guadalajara Film Festival.

However, despite several last minute cancellations, the market reported 180 attendees.

With a shoestring budget of $120,000, Encuentros had to overcome several problems. Gripes ranged from scarce information on available rights per title to missing English subtitles.

Nevertheless, buyers and sellers reported closing a surprising number of deals: Richard Guardian of LA-based Lightning Entertainment closed remaining Latin American territories for Adolfo Aristarain's Lugares Comunes, selling it to Wiesner Distribution for Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Quality Films for Mexico, Cineplex for Colombia and Blanco y Travieso for Venezuela.

Pascual Condito of Primer Plano bought Brazil's Mar del Plata Best Film winner Breaking Up (Separacoes) for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile from Brazilian sales company Grupo Novo. Condito also sold several Argentinean titles to various Latino territories.

Cynthia Wiesner of Wiesner Distribution renewed her home video distribution deal with Spain's Sogepaq for some select Spanish titles which she plans to release on DVD in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

While not busy sorting myriad problems at the market, Encuentros director Laura Ruiz was able to drum up business for her own distribution company Canela Films . She sold Chile's Chacotero Sentimental to Colombia's Centauro Cine Y TV, television rights of 17 Latino titles to Colombia's City TV as well as television rights to 13 Latino shorts and 13 features to Bolivia's PAT TV.

Among the no shows were HBO (US), Metro Tartan (UK), Arenas Entertainment (US) and Cinemien Films (Holland).