Disney+ Unveils New Co-Productions with BTF Media

As a fan who has grown up watching Disney classics and appreciating their evolution into more diverse and thought-provoking content, I am absolutely thrilled about these upcoming shows from Disney+! The collaboration with BTF Media seems to be a brilliant move, bringing fresh perspectives and stories that resonate deeply with global audiences.


At the Madrid conference Iberseries & Platino Industria, executives from Walt Disney Latin America, including Leonardo Aranguibel, Vice President of Production Operations and Strategy, and Mariana Perez, Head of General Entertainment, announced some forthcoming shows on Disney+. These shows are collaborative productions with the multinational production company BTF Media.

Attendees at the Madrid industry gathering were given a preview of Disney+’s pilot episode for “Between Walls,” featuring Aislinn Derbez and Christian Vázquez, as well as snippets from several other forthcoming series: the bio drama “The Remarkable Tale of Juana Pastrana,” the fact-based show “Frida,” and the comedy “Mama Cake.

This year, the company has produced approximately 24 shows, ranging from unscripted, factual/comedy, and kids & family genres. According to Aranguibel, these shows represent a typical sample of our output. In response to shifting viewer preferences and shorter focus spans, Perez mentioned that they’ve been focusing on creating shorter episodes.

Disney+ Unveils New Co-Productions with BTF Media

The 10 x 30-minute series “Between Walls” (“Entre paredes”), directed by Noé Santillán-López, is based in Mexico City. It focuses on Marga, a yogi and event planner, and Martín, a soap opera editor, who cross paths via a dating app without initially realizing they’ll become neighbors. Marga discovers it first but conceals the fact, until eventually Martín learns the truth. Adhering to the rule of “no dating neighbors,” they end their potential relationship before it begins and decide to remain friends instead. Over time, however, their feelings towards each other become harder to resist.

Titled “The Extraordinary Saga of Julia Pastrana,” this engaging fact-based drama consists of 8 episodes, each lasting 35 minutes. The series is spearheaded by showrunner Miguel Ángel Fox and director Rafa Lara. Filmed in Spain and inspired by real events, it follows the life of a woman who was Mexico’s first rock star equivalent. Born with a unique physical condition that caused her body to be covered in hair, Julia mesmerized audiences not only in Mexico but also across the United States and Europe with her exceptional voice. Despite being manipulated by her manager, Teodoro Landa, Julia challenged societal norms and even caught the attention of Charles Darwin himself. Her story underscores that genuine humanity lies beyond physical appearances and societal prejudices.

It stars “Ted Lasso”’s Cristo Fernández opposite Fatima Molina and Eduardo Noriega.

In the humorous television show “Mama Cake,” based in Mexico City, elderly lady María Olivia and her nurse Xiadani embark on an unexpected venture to expand their dessert company, Mama Cake. Their innovative idea involves creating a unique line of pastries and cupcakes infused with cannabis. The grand plan is to help support María’s only grandson; however, the sudden popularity of Mama Cake catches everyone off guard, leading to a rush of people eager to get involved in the business, even if it means resorting to questionable methods.

Acting alongside the renowned Susana Alexander is Maria Antonieta de Las Nieves, best known for her role as La Chilindrina in the beloved Mexican sitcom “El Chavo del Ocho.” After a gap of three decades, she’s returning to the spotlight, as Aranguibel highlighted.

The fact-based dramatic series “Frida,” which delves into the life of Frida Kahlo – a highly influential 20th-century female artist known for her countercultural and feminist impact – is currently under development. Frida’s life was filled with contrasts, battles, love affairs, and legends. For the first time, the Pinedo Kahlo family has granted access to letters, testimonies, diaries, photos, and film footage, which will play a pivotal role in this series. The series will also highlight significant figures from Frida’s life, including artists like Diego Rivera, Trotsky, Dr. Atl, Miroslava, Pita Amor, Siqueiros, Lara, Cárdenas, and others who played a crucial role in defining Mexico’s cultural identity.

BTF Media boasts branches in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Spain, and the United States. Some of its most significant achievements are being recognized with a nomination for an International Emmy for the series “Sintiéndolo mucho.

Disney+ Unveils New Co-Productions with BTF Media

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2024-10-03 19:18