Morgana Studios, ReachStar and ReDefine Originals — a DNEG Company, announced they are partnering on the animated feature Diamante.
The film will be directed by Mathieu Ratthé, with a screenplay written by Ratthé and Leticia Tonos Paniagua from an original idea by Claudio Lluberes. Animation will be handled by ReDefine Originals which is part of DNEG, an animation and VFX company which has been honored with seven Oscars, seven BAFTAs and numerous other awards in recent years. Casting in currently underway.
“Through its powerful portrayal of friendship, self-discovery and the pursuit of dreams, this film will touch the hearts and souls of viewers around the globe,” said Ratthé.
Synopsis: Set on the lush, culturally-rich Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic, Diamante follows young Luisito’s dream of becoming a pro baseball player. He is crushed by his fear of people until he discovers a mysterious power, leading him on a journey alongside an unlikely companion, to learn the true value of friendship, family and resilience.
Supported by Marianna Vargas Gurilieva, Film Commissioner of the Dominican Republic Film Commission (DGCINE), and Héctor M. Valdez, Diamante aims to highlight this cultural richness, sharing Dominican culture, folklore and landscapes with a wider audience, fostering enduring international appreciation for the “Republic of Baseball,” said Daysi Cruz, of Morgana Studios.
“For many families, baseball offers a promising path to international opportunities and aspirations for a better quality of life, serving as a pillar of Dominican identity and is proud to be known as a major exporter of talent to the MLB,” added Morgana’s Claudio Lluberes.
Steven Thibault of ReachStar Entertainment commented, “At ReachStar, we are committed to telling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide, and Diamante truly showcases this dedication.”
Producers are Ratthé, Caroline Desmarais and Thibault for Reachstar; Miguel Cabañas, Verónica Buide, Lluberes and Cruz for Morgana Studios. Executive producing for ReDefine Originals are Greg Gavanski, John Harvey and Daniel Krech.
Mathieu Ratthé, a Canadian filmmaker, ignited his passion for filmmaking at age 10, crafting self-directed shorts. For over a decade, he collaborated with Bryan Turner (founder of Priority Records) at Melee Entertainment, their joint venture with DreamWorks. His accomplishments include the award-winning short film Lovefield and the TV pilot Pretty Wicked for Starz Media. He also directed The Talisman pilot based on Stephen King’s best-seller. Later, Entertainment One released his indie feature The Gracefield Incident globally in theaters and on digital platforms.
Ratthé co-founded ReachStar Entertainment with Caroline Desmarais and Steven Thibault. He is represented by Sisto Entertainment & Business Law Services.
Award-winning Dominican director, screenwriter and producer Leticia Tonos Paniagua graduated from the London Film School in 2001. A pioneer in film co-productions in her country with Spain, France, Puerto Rico and Haiti, among others, Tonos co-founded ADOCINE (Dominican Association of Film Industry Professionals), APRODOMCINE (DR Producers Association), ACCINE-RD (DR Film Academy) and EGEDA Dominicana. Three of her feature films have been selected to represent the Dominican Republic at the Oscars.
In 2020, Tonos was awarded the Medal of Cinematographic Merit, becoming the first woman in the Dominican Republic to receive such distinction. In 2023 she received the Latido Fantastic Award at Marché Du Film at Cannes Film Festival for her sci-fi feature film Aire Just Breathe.
