EXCLUSIVE: Canadian outfit APL Films is launching sales in Cannes on three-part docuseries, Hola Mamá, which follows first-time filmmaker Adrian Reamey, a Chilean-born adoptee raised in the United States, whose search for her birth mother uncovers a decades-long operation of illegal adoptions tied to political and economic policies implemented during Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship in Chile.

Heralding from two-time Emmy nominated producer Jonathan T. Baker, the investigation “uncovers the power structures behind forced separations, including the role of the United States, revealing a network designed to conceal the truth—and the people now determined to bring it to light.”

According to the filmmakers, this network “saw children being taken away from poor and vulnerable mothers and funneled to wealthier families abroad—exploiting socio-economic inequalities and transforming adoption into a global market, while silencing the women and families left behind.”

The project’s team includes producers Aimee Lubrano and Jill Teeples, co-producer Mark Nichols, executive producers Gary Reamey, Joanne Driscoll Reamey, Kevin Clifford and Matt Rachamkin, story producer Jade Hill, editor Joel Viertel, and JB Productions Director of Development Leah Konings.

“At the heart of Hola Mamá are the mothers and children who have spent decades searching for each other and for answers,” said director Adrian Reamey. “The series combines these powerful and very necessary personal stories with urgent geopolitical themes in a way that we hope will resonate strongly with global audiences.”

“This story is so relevant today considering where we are in global politics—the rise of authoritarianism—it helps audiences understand the root of the issues rocking our world,” said executive producer Jonathan T. Baker. “Chile as the first real-world test of the neoliberal experiment—what happened to Dr. Salvador Allende and the Chilean people—could not be more instructive for understanding the forces reshaping democracies worldwide.” The series features interviews with experts on the subject and Congressman Jamie Raskin.

“This is one of those rare instances where a project becomes part of the story when you’re making it. The filmmakers became advocates and contributed to the effort in Chile that ultimately led to these acts being formally recognized as crimes against humanity,” added Baker. “I couldn’t be prouder of Adrian’s journey and hope the U.S. Government starts to take some responsibility.”

Baker and Reamey will be attending Cannes where APL will be looking to cut deals with film buyers, broadcasters and/or streamers.