Andalusia’s ‘Hollywood Moment’ at the Heart of Spain’s South International Series Festival

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of television, I can confidently say that the South International Series Festival (SISF) is like a treasure trove for any series enthusiast, especially those with a penchant for European productions. Having had the pleasure of exploring the rich tapestry of stories that Andalusia has to offer, I can attest to the immense talent and creativity that lies within this region.


The second installment of the International South Series Festival, taking place in Cadiz from October 25th to 30th, will shine a light on the rapidly growing audiovisual industry in Andalusia.

Approximately twenty events centered around the Andalusian audiovisual industry are planned, featuring expert discussions, showcases, and talks that emphasize the region’s creative prowess in this field.

As I unveiled this year’s festival poster, I, Joan Alvarez, proudly declared that Andalusia is stepping into its own “Hollywood era.” The excitement in the air is palpable as we witness not just a surge in film production in the South, but also an enhanced backing from local institutions like Junta Andalusia and Canal Sur. Furthermore, we’ve created events such as the South International Series Festival, which serves as a hub for our local industry leaders to connect.

According to Carles Montiel, Head of Programming and Industry at SISF, this festival provides a fantastic chance for European creators to pay attention to the happenings in Andalusia. “Andalusia is brimming with talent, not just on the production aspect but also on the creative side,” he explained to EbMaster. “We plan to engage in discussions with showrunners and writers, and explore how we craft narratives.

Industry events centered on Andalusia feature a Pitching Event for projects currently being developed within the region, as well as an analysis paper entitled “South Women: Discussing Andalusian Series – A Gender and Regional Perspective.” This discussion examines series from both a feminine and regional point of view.

As the Director of the Andalusia Film Commission, Piluca Querol noted that we are among Europe’s most veteran film commissions. With a rich cinematic past that includes films like ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ Andalusia boasts a longstanding screen heritage. However, as she emphasized, maintaining this history is an ongoing effort that requires daily dedication.

Querol added, “Andalusia is larger than several European nations. In the Netflix series ‘The Crown,’ when the British royal family ventured beyond the U.K., to places like Texas, Australia, or Greece, they actually filmed those scenes here in Andalusia. Our climate is versatile, offering both sunshine and rain across the seasons. We boast a mix of Arab and Roman architecture, allowing us to present settings that range from contemporary to medieval. Moreover, our service providers are top-notch, and we have highly skilled crews with extensive experience.

Notable entries from the Andalusian roster at this year’s South International Series Festival are “The Left-Handed Son,” a Movistar+ production penned by frequent collaborator Rafael Cobos of Alberto Rodríguez, and featuring María León (“Allí abajo”) and Tamara Casellas (“Ama”), as well as the dark comedy “En fin,” helmed by David Sainz (“Malviviendo”) and starring Malena Alterio (“Aquí no hay quien viva”), José Manuel Poga (“La Casa de Papel”), Raúl Cimas (“Little Faith”), and Numa Paredes (“The Left-Handed Son”).

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that the promising director Julio Blez is set to debut the pilot episode of “Blanca Bocanegra” in the heart of Cadiz. This dark comedy series follows an audiovisual technician’s unique journey, promises to be a captivating watch.

The festival will not only feature debut episodes but also sneak peeks of ongoing productions being filmed in Andalusia. These include “La Agencia,” a collaboration between Mediaset España and Good Mood, an adaptation of the popular French series “Call My Agent” executive produced by Daniel Écija; “Ella, maldita alma,” a project from Mediaset España in partnership with Plano a Plano, starring Maxi Iglesias, Martiño Rivas, and Karina Kolokolchykova; Lastly, Atresmedia’s fresh take on Carlos Montero’s “Física o Química,” titled “FOQ, the new generation.

Olmo Figueredo from La Clacqueta is among the top producers active in Andalusia. Before the SISF event, he spoke to EbMaster about his views. As a seasoned producer, he emphasized that not only international collaborations can stimulate activity within the region but also national co-productions are crucial for a country like Spain. This is due to the fact that autonomous regions in Spain have an abundance of unique talent and they also qualify for different tax incentives. Recently, La Claqueta has formed a strategic alliance with Amania Films from the Basque Country, aiming to boost their presence in the Spanish and international audiovisual market.

As a seasoned movie critic, I’m always thrilled to share my insights about the vibrant world of filmmaking. In this particular case, allow me to express that my production house has been quite dynamic, with a rich history of collaborating with various regions for what feels like eons. This current year alone has seen us embark on three such collaborative projects – two with the Basque Country and one with Catalonia.

Figueredo underscored the significance of events such as South Series, which facilitate connections between national and regional peers in the film industry. “South Series plays a crucial role due to the lack of series-related platforms in this region. For independent producers, series are increasingly vital for economic balance. As independent production is inherently risky, it’s essential to have projects that involve less risk, like working under contract from a platform. These spaces are essential for us as industry members because they provide opportunities for collaboration and laying the groundwork for future projects.

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2024-10-09 20:22