As a fellow film enthusiast and University of Navarra alumna, I find Sara Gómez’s journey incredibly inspiring. Her dedication to producing family films and comedies, particularly stories that empower women, resonates deeply with me as a mother myself. It’s heartening to see someone use their platform to instill values in our daughters about their worth in the world.
The film industry in Spain showcases a rich abundance of creative talent in production and direction, much of which is now emerging beyond the conventional hubs of Madrid and Barcelona. Here, we shine a spotlight on ten up-and-coming Spanish producers who are making waves across the Iberian landscape, warranting close attention.
Eva Bodas, Entre las piedras (Madrid)
Born from Madrid’s ECAM and actively associated with the espirituescalera film collective, Bodas established her own production company, Entre las piedras, in 2022. The label has worked on projects like Antonio Llamas’ “La insurrección que viene” and Jorge Cantos’ “Los olvidados”. Many of the label’s productions have been showcased in markets at the Berlinale, Cannes, Busan, and other prestigious international forums. The company’s debut feature, “A Suburban Mythology”, directed by Antonio Llamas, Alejandro Pérez Castellanos, and Jorge Rojas, is set to premiere in Spanish cinemas later this year. Bodas shared with EbMaster that she started Entre las piedras to fulfill her desire to produce daring films, believing in the fresh talent of emerging generations. She expresses a keen interest in creating politically-charged cinema with a magical twist, aiming to blur the lines between fiction and reality.
Charli Bujosa Cortés, Mansalva Films (Madrid)
According to their own statements, Charli Bujosa, born in Mallorca, Spain, is the country’s sole trans-non-binary film producer. After graduating from law school in Berlin, Bujosa moved back to Madrid and switched careers to pursue cinema instead. They obtained diplomas in editing and documentary filmmaking, and in 2019, they released their debut film as a director and producer, titled “Bubota.” In 2021, Bujosa co-founded Mansalva Films with David Castro, a company specializing in live-action and stop-motion productions. Last year, Mansalva’s first feature, “A Landscaped Area Too Quiet For Me,” won awards at DocsLisboa and DocumentaMadid, and their latest animated short, “Toda Está Perdido,” was nominated for a Spanish Academy Goya Award. Bujosa describes their films as “non-binary” – movies that can vary in length or genre but aim to connect with anyone who wants to engage with them. They believe these films prioritize being true to themselves over adhering to any assigned genre.
Jesús Choya Zataraín, Sincio de Pelis (Cantabria, Madrid)
2020 graduate from ECAM in Madrid, Jesus Choya Zataraín, has been employed at Buenapinta Media by Marisa Fernández Armenteros since 2021. During this tenure, he also established Sincio de Pelis in Cantabria, accumulating credits on notable Spanish productions such as Alauda Ruiz de Azua’s “Lullaby,” Isabel Coixet’s “Un Amor,” and Guillermo García Lopez’s upcoming “Ciudad sin sueño.” In the 2022 Malaga Film Festival, two of Choya’s short films were showcased, earning him the title of Málaga Talent. At just 25 years old, Choya is passionate about creating stories that resonate with younger audiences and shine a light on overlooked aspects of daily life, even when it may be uncomfortable. As a young producer from a region with limited production, his goal is to provide a platform for young voices to share their stories.
Carlota Darnell, Cornelius Films (Barcelona)
Born and raised in Barcelona, Darnell currently holds the position of junior executive producer at Cornelius Films. Her first producer role was on Elena Ballvé Martín and Alex Gantzer’s short film “The Things That Keep Us Apart,” which premiered at the Malaga Film Festival in 2021. In 2023, her debut feature, “Negu Hurbilak,” received a Jury Special Mention at Locarno and this year she is back at the festival as part of the Match Me! sidebar, showcasing new and upcoming producers. When speaking with EbMaster, Darnell expressed her passion for producing films that spark curiosity rather than provide straightforward answers. Agnostic regarding format and genre, Darnell is drawn to stories that reveal the emotional depth of their creators and hold potential for international appeal.
Laura Egidos Plaja, Contraria (Barcelona)
Previously employed at renowned Catalan film production and distribution company Film Factory, Egidos has been involved in prominent Spanish films such as J.A. Bayona’s Oscar-nominated “The Snowman Society.” She is also a co-founder of Contraria, where she is backing two debut films: Jordí López Navarro’s “The Day After” and Alberto Gross Molo’s “March 14.” Recently, Egidos was part of the Rotterdam Lab and will attend this year’s Match Me! in Locarno. As she shares with EbMaster, her focus is on producing independent films with the ability to appeal commercially to audiences. She doesn’t seek specific genres or subjects but looks for stories whose messages resonate with viewers and inspire them to contemplate significant topics that she finds relevant or personally meaningful. She appreciates thought-provoking content.
Alvaro Garcia, Hampa Studio (Valencia)
Hailing from Valencia, Garcia is a versatile producer-creator who kickstarted his journey in the U.K. at Enlightenment Productions. Afterward, he returned to Spain where he served as a production and marketing assistant at Telecinco Cinema. During this tenure, he contributed to some of Spain’s blockbuster films such as J.A. Bayona’s “A Monster Calls,” Álex de la Iglesia’s “Perfect Strangers” and the successful Spanish animated franchise “Tad, the Lost Explorer.” In 2020, Garcia joined Hampa Studio, a Valencia-based animation studio, where he oversees development and executive production. His ambition is to produce films that resonate with a wide audience, possess a distinct identity as intellectual properties, build captivating worlds, and tell compelling narratives. Garcia’s upcoming animated feature project, “Girl and Wolf,” directed by Roc Espinet, a renowned director and graphic novelist, aligns perfectly with his aspirations.
Sara Gómez, La Claqueta (Seville)
Graduate from the University of Navarra with a degree in communications, Gómez currently works for the production company La Claqueta based in Andalusia. In her role as executive producer, she has contributed to critically acclaimed films such as Rocía Mesa’s “Tabacco Barns,” which won the SXSW Audience Award, and Patricia Oretega’s “Mamacruz,” which was a contender at Sundance. This year, Gómez’s first feature as producer, Belén Funes’ “Los Tortuga,” will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. With a passion for creating family-friendly films and comedies, Gómez aims to work on stories that empower women of all ages. Since becoming a mother, she has become even more dedicated to telling stories that emphasize the importance of education and instill in young girls a sense of their worth in the world.
Nati Juncal Portas, Cósmica Producións (Santiago de Compostela)
Since 2004, Juncal has worked in the film industry, holding various roles such as a P.A., and has experienced almost every crew position conceivable. She’s been involved in productions like “Matria” by Álvaro Gago, “A Foreign Story” by César Souto, and “Lúa Vermella” by Lois Patiño. Currently, she is a producer for the Locarno First Look title “Prefiro Condenarme.” In 2018, Juncal teamed up with Sonia Méndez to establish Cósmica Producións, whose first feature film, “As Neves,” was produced by Juncal and received excellent reviews at this year’s Malaga Film Festival. Being an activist at heart, she expresses that her work is a way for her to give back to society and culture. In an interview with EbMaster, she mentions her affinity towards auteur films, particularly those directed by women filmmakers, and even more so if they hail from her homeland, Galicia.
Montse Pujol Solà, Boogaloo Films (Barcelona)
In 2018, Pujol embarked on her professional journey at Boogaloo Films. Her work there has been recognized with credits such as the Seriesmania best short series winner “Autodefensa,” Elena Molina’s award-winning documentary “Remember My Name” at Malaga, and the short films “The Painter’s Room” and “Todos los días domingos.” This year, her production “Downriver, A Tiger” is part of the Locarno First Look lineup. As a producer, she aspires to create films that tackle current issues, nurture emerging talent globally, and never shy away from taking risks in terms of creative and artistic vision. With a knack for blending fiction and documentary styles, her aim is to spark discussions among viewers with the films she produces.
Katixa Silva, CSC Films (Vitoria)
As a proud alumna of the University of Navarra, I currently serve as an executive producer at CSC Films and also work freelance as a production designer. My resume includes notable projects such as David Pérez Sañudo’s “Ane is Missing,” which garnered three Spanish Academy Goyas in 2020, Víctor Iriarte’s Venice entry “Sobre todo de noche,” Marina Sereseky’s “Sin instrucciones,” and Pablo Hernando’s “Una ballena,” set to debut at Sitges in October. At present, I’m engaged in numerous feature projects, including Maider Oleaga’s “Harakune” and Nerea Castro’s “Canción animal.” My passion lies in supporting women filmmakers and providing a platform for first-time directors. In my own words, I strive to produce stories that delve into the intricate human emotions, irrespective of genre.
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2024-08-07 10:47