Ilse Salas to Lead Quijote Films' "To Die on Your Feet" After Iberseries Pitch

Mexican actress Ilse Salas, winner of Mexico's Best Actress Ariel Award for "The Good Girls" ("Las niñas bien"), will lead the cast of Quijote Films' wry dramedy "To Die on Your Feet" ("Morir de Pie"), pitched this week at Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid. A Second Feature From María Paz González The project marks the second fiction feature from Chilean director María Paz González, who first gained international attention with her debut "Lina de Lima," which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and won at FIC Valdivia. A journalist as well as a filmmaker, González is also known for her 2011 documentary "Hija." Described as a social-critique dramedy centered on a profession increasingly threatened by AI, "To Die on Your Feet" follows Cruz, an actress who earns a living working as a simulated patient for medical students. One night, she witnesses a body falling from her building and, rather than helping, simply continues with her routine. Security cameras capture the moment, and unable to explain her own reaction, Cruz comes to realize that her profession has left her emotionally numb. About Ilse Salas Salas is regarded as one of the most acclaimed Mexican actresses of her generation. In addition to winning Mexico's prestigious Ariel Award for "The Good Girls" in 2019, she received Ariel nominations for her performances in Alonso Ruizpalacios' "Güeros" and Abner Benaim's "Plaza Catedral," Panama's shortlisted entry for the 94th Academy Awards. Speaking about the project, Salas said Latin American cinema is the cinema she watches, seeks out, makes, and dreams about, adding that the region's voice needs to reach further and that it is increasingly being heard. A Long Development Journey "To Die on Your Feet" has traveled through numerous development and co-production programs at festivals including Marseille, Toulouse, San Sebastián, the Berlinale, and Discovery TIFF 2029. The project has already been acquired by Hulu, HBO, and Mubi for various territories, and received additional backing from the Pfeffer del Sur fund at the José Ignacio International Film Festival. Like many Chilean productions, the film has assembled an international co-production team. The six-country collaboration includes lead producer Quijote Films (Chile) alongside Amore Cine (Spain), Sutor Kolonko (Germany), Tarantula (Luxembourg), Bocacha (Uruguay), and MartFilms (Mexico). Quijote Films' Giancarlo Nasi said the company has spent years developing "Morir de pie" as an international co-production, calling Salas's addition as lead a decisive step forward. He praised her range and acting ability, noting her connection with audiences across both acclaimed festival films and major streaming productions, and said that blend of humor, discomfort, and emotion is exactly what González is aiming to capture in the story. Quijote's Broader Slate Quijote Films holds the distinction of being the Chilean production company with the most completed international co-productions to date, with 35 titles, including Chile's first co-production agreements with both Ukraine and South Africa. The company is now preparing another milestone: Chile's first co-production with Morocco, the documentary feature "Don't Let the Sun Go Up on Me," made in partnership with French company Haut et Court. The documentary will be directed by Moroccan filmmaker Asmae El Moudir, winner of the Best Director Award in Un Certain Regard at Cannes 2023 for "The Mother of All Lies." The project is currently in development and participated in the Venice Production Bridge 2026. A Separate Funding Setback The news arrives alongside a separate controversy facing the company. Chile's Ministry of Cultures revoked the Audiovisual Minority Co-Production fund previously awarded to "The Smell of Apples," Chile's first co-production with the African continent, following an administrative observation. The case is currently under review by Quijote Films' legal team, which is determining next steps. The film, directed by John Trengove ("The Wound," "Manodrome"), recently had its world premiere in the Platform competition at TIFF 2026 — the festival's only competitive section, where this year's winning film also earns a direct spot in the Academy Awards race for Best International Feature Film. "The Smell of Apples" had been considered a strong contender to represent South Africa in that race, though the nomination ultimately went to "Variations on a Theme" by Devon Delmar and Jason Jacobs.