Autlook boards 'The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer' ahead of Locarno
Autlook has boarded as world sales agent for the documentary The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer ahead of its world premiere in Locarno Film Festival's Filmmakers of the Present competition, and Variety has exclusively debuted a first clip from Alessandra Sanguinetti's 25-year portrait of two Argentine cousins.
Key Takeaways
- Autlook signed on as world sales agent before the Locarno world premiere.
- Variety published an exclusive first clip from the documentary.
- Photographer Alessandra Sanguinetti filmed cousins Guillermina and Belinda across 25 years.
- Mubi partially financed the film and holds North America plus U.K./Ireland rights.
- The project is produced by Julia Solomonoff with Mubi and Impact Partners.
What Is 'The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer' About?
The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer is the feature debut of photographer Alessandra Sanguinetti. The documentary was filmed over 25 years and follows Guillermina and Belinda, two inseparable cousins growing up on neighboring farms in Argentina's Pampas.
Beginning in 1999, when the girls are nine, Sanguinetti captures childhood games of make-believe slowly giving way to the weight of adulthood—work, family, motherhood, and diverging paths. Set against the rural landscape of the Argentine Pampas, the film is described in a statement as an intimate, female-centred counterpoint to the region's male-dominated gaucho mythology.
It becomes, according to that statement, a profound meditation on time, friendship, and what endures. For audiences tracking streaming and TV alerts, the project signals a major festival documentary with international sales momentum.
Why Did Autlook Board the Film Before Locarno?
Securing a world sales agent ahead of a high-profile premiere is a standard move for festival-bound documentaries seeking global distribution. Autlook's deal positions The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer for international buyers as Locarno spotlights new voices in its Filmmakers of the Present section.
The timing matters: a sales agent can negotiate territory deals while festival buzz builds. With Mubi already attached on the financing side and holding key territories, Autlook's role focuses on broader world sales beyond those retained rights.
When and Where Will the Film Premiere?
The documentary will have its world premiere in the Filmmakers of the Present competition at the Locarno Film Festival. That section traditionally showcases emerging and innovative filmmakers, giving Sanguinetti's long-form debut a prominent launch platform.
Variety's exclusive clip debut offers the first public moving-image glimpse of the project ahead of the festival screening. Full premiere dates within Locarno's 2026 lineup were not detailed in the initial report.
Who Financed and Produced the Documentary?
The film was partially financed by Mubi, which has retained U.K./Ireland and North America rights. It is produced by Julia Solomonoff and co-produced by Mubi and Impact Partners.
That financing structure is common for prestige documentaries: a streaming partner backs production while festival premieres and sales agents handle wider distribution. For authoritative background, see Variety's exclusive report.