As a seasoned industry insider with a penchant for all things cinematic, I find myself constantly intrigued by the dynamic world of film festivals and their ability to catalyze exciting collaborations. The San Sebastian International Film Festival has once again proven itself as a fertile ground for such partnerships, with a plethora of notable productions gracing its hallowed halls this year.
San Sebastian – As the 72nd edition of the San Sebastian Film Festival comes to a close with its award ceremony this Saturday night, it’s sailing into its final stages. Here are ten key insights from what appears to be its most star-studded, high-quality Spanish filmmaking event, and the highest number of reported deals by EbMaster, all against the backdrop of rapid change in the global independent film and TV industry landscape.
San Sebastian 2024: The Stars Align
Johnny Depp paid a hospital visit in San Sebastian, wearing his Jack Sparrow costume; Javier Bardem became emotional as he recalled his dear mother, Pilar Bardem; Pedro Almodóvar looked back 44 years to his initial San Sebastian experience, which included a night at disco Ku and an early-morning stroll on the beach. Cate Blanchett, receiving her Donostia Award, commended the “uncertainty that inspires me.
For the very first time, a multitude of celebrities have graced San Sebastian. This unprecedented event can be attributed to two primary reasons, as stated by José Luis Rebordinos, the director of the San Sebastian Film Festival. “I believe that the festival’s growth in influence and prestige over the years has made it more enticing for stars,” he explained to EbMaster. “However, their attendance hinges significantly on luck, due to scheduling conflicts resulting from their other obligations.” It might also be speculated that with fewer films and series being produced in Hollywood, particularly its struggling independent sector, there is currently a surplus of talent available.
Buzz Titles
In addition to showcasing new talent, San Sebastián is renowned for Spanish-language films. This year, these aspects came together notably. The film “The Wailing,” directed by Pedro Martín-Calero, was praised for its feminist themes and sharp execution, sparking conversations among industry experts about the director as a promising new voice in the genre with potential to cross international borders. “La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés,” created by Antón Álvarez, better recognized as singer-songwriter C. Tangana, received rave reviews for its impressive debut. As San Sebastián concluded on Friday, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s four-part series “Querer,” a Movistar Plus+ original, was being lauded as the standout Spanish series of the year.
The World’s Film, TV Industry: All Change
The main point from the 3rd Creative Investor’s Conference, held by San Sebastian and CAA Media Finance, is that the younger demographic fueling the post-COVID box office recovery across all films is also driving success in the independent sector. This trend is global. AMC Networks’ Scott Schooman highlighted the increase in specialized picture genre in the U.S., while Yohann Conte from Charades pointed out a larger audience for debut directors in France. Lorenzo Gangarosa of Our Films mentioned that the Italian film slate, previously focused on bourgeois drama, now caters to lower classes as the upper class hardly goes to the cinema anymore.
More Buzz Titles
As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that in the main competition, the substantial documentary feature “Afternoons of Solitude,” directed by Albert Serra, seems poised to solidify his standing as a significant filmmaker. However, its subject matter – bullfighting – may stir controversy. Meanwhile, Pilar Palomero’s “The Glimmers” received the highest rating in a Diario Vasco Spanish critics poll, with “On Falling” by Laura Carreira and Mike Leigh’s already Toronto-acclaimed “Hard Truths” following closely behind.
Xin Huo’s “Bound in Heaven” garnered a massive response from the audience. Outside of competition, “The Red Virgin” received accolades for its universal values. In the New Directors category, there was positive buzz surrounding the Swiss film “Bagger Drama”, while critics pondered if Pedro Almodovar’s “The Room Next Door” might earn his first Best Picture nomination.
Argentina Fights Back
Filmmakers from various parts of Latin America and beyond gathered to demonstrate against Javier Milei’s reductions in Argentine subsidies. By doing this, Milei may be undermining himself, as he is limiting an industry that has been recognized by European and U.S. states as a key contributor to economic growth. Although Argentine cinema appears to be struggling, it is far from extinct. Pampa Films recently announced an exciting project called “Homo Argentum,” and filmmakers across Europe and Latin America are collaborating to produce Lisandro Alonso’s next film. The end of Argentine cinema, as Milei suggests, may be overstated. Most importantly, the elimination of an exhibition quota is already significantly impacting the number of Argentine movies shown in cinemas.
Promoting Big Talent With Large Style
Spain’s ICEX cannot be criticized for a lack of creativity. While other governmental organizations opt for traditional commercial ads, Spain’s export board has supported an innovative seven-minute short film titled “La causa del accidente que provocó el incendio,” which premiered at San Sebastian. The film bears some resemblance to Carlos Saura’s “El Amor Brujo” but with a self-referential twist. It revolves around a young director struggling with anxiety over her short film making no sense, starring Cannes Best Actress winner Karla Sofía Gascón, J..A Bayona, Albert Serra from Pacifiction, and Omar Ayuso from Elite. The short is not only engaging but also showcases the abundance of talent in Spain. It will soon appear at Mipcom, AFM, and the Busan festival.
Spain, More Recognition At Last
Following Netflix’s recent data revelation that Spain is currently at the forefront of global demand for non-English movies and shows, the Investors Conference highlighted the significant disparity between the U.K. and Spain in terms of film production. This is due to Spain’s generous tax incentives, which have come to symbolize Europe’s substantial financial support for the industry. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t about squandering resources, according to a report by Olsberg·SPI. Instead, these productions invested approximately €1.32 billion ($1.47 billion) into the Spanish audiovisual sector from 2009-2022, resulting in a minimum estimated contribution of €1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) to the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA). It’s no surprise then that the Spanish government considers the audio-visual sector as a key area for growth.
Let’s Hear It for Animation, and Especially Miyazaki
2023 marked a remarkable 25-year high for Goodfellas’ Maraval and former Wild Bunch executive, primarily due to the success of their animated feature film “The Boy and the Heron.” The movie earned an impressive $47 million in the U.S., raising questions about whether its financial success was attributable to it being animation or being Hayao Miyazaki’s latest and potential final work. Yohann Conte, a prominent figure in European animation sales, stated at the Creative Investors’ Conference that Charades, the company he represents, has never lost money on an animated project. However, they are still trying to understand why this is the case. If adult-oriented, the key to animation lies in its strong potential value in secondary and tertiary distribution windows, particularly streaming services. Some international family animation indie films do manage to break out, such as the recent release “Buffalo Kids.
The Long Shadow of AI
Every pitch, roundtable and watercooler discussion at San Sebastián’s 5th high tech Startup Challenge competition seemed to center on AI. Many included assurances that their software was developed within an ethical and legal framework. When it wasn’t addressed during a pitch, the first question from the event’s panels of judges was often about the legality of the product being promoted. Nearly half of the pitches were designed not only for large media companies but included B2C business plans for solo digital-first content creators such as YouTubers, influencers and independent animators.
And the Deals
30 or more transactions reported by EbMaster during the lead-up to or the timeframe of San Sebastián, featuring 30 exclusive news stories.
Javier Bardem has revealed that he will feature in “El Ser Querido,” a film directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, who is known for ‘The Beasts.’ This project is one of the six films Movistar Plus+ has planned for its initial “auteur event” movie lineup.
As a film enthusiast, I’m excited to share that I recently learned about some fresh Netflix projects unveiled at San Sebastián. Among these captivating ventures, we have “Cable Girls” showrunner Ramón Campos and “Cross the Line” director David Victori’s new creations, both of which lean towards genre storytelling.
*Max had a sneak preview of its first Spanish original, the crime thriller series “When No One Sees Us,” by Enrique Urbizu, which impressed with its exceptional visual storytelling.
As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that Pampa Films has introduced a new film titled “Homo Argentum,” featuring Guillermo Francella from the critically acclaimed series “The Clan.” This masterpiece is directed by the talented duo, Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat, who are renowned for their work in “Official Competition.” They promise a sharp and biting portrayal of contemporary Argentine life.
A follow-up to Lisandro Alonso’s critically acclaimed film “Freedom” is in the works! Titled “Another Masterpiece from Argentina,” this project will be directed by Lisandro Alonso himself. The production companies involved include Fortuna Films, Planta, Deptford Film, The Match Factory, and Les Films Fauves. More partners are welcome to join.
Actors Alice Braga (“Queen of the South”) and Bianca Comparato (“3%”) have teamed together to create a new production company called South. This company, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and São Paulo, will kick off its first project: “She, Crocodile,” a body-horror story directed by Gabriela Amaral Almeida.
4 Cats Pictures’ Spanish animated film “Buffalo Kids” will receive a nationwide cinema release in both the United Kingdom and Ireland, as confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery U.K. This movie, whose producers also brought us “Mummies” which earned $54 million globally, was secured for distribution by CMG.
Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Mona Martinez from Spain will spearhead a multi-national acting ensemble in the upcoming film “Narciso,” which is Luxbox’s latest acquisition, under the direction of Marcelo Martinessi, who previously directed “The Heiresses.
*In new news, Spanish streaming service Filmin bought Spanish distribution rights to Akaki Popkhadze’s New Directors player “In the Name of Blood,” sold by Urban Sales. At San Sebastian, Spain’s top indie platform also acquired Athina Rachel Tsangari’s “Harvest,” from The Match Factory; Giovanni Tortorici’s “Diciannove” (Playtime) and Pathe-sold biopic “Limonov. La Ballade,” directed by Kirill Serebrennikov.
Building on the success of their previous collaboration on “Jokes and Cigarettes” (Saben Aquell), Atresmedia Cine, the film division of Spanish broadcaster Atresmedia, is supporting “Siempre es invierno,” an adaptation of Victor Erice’s taboo-breaking novel “Blitz,” directed by Trueba.
*Arantxa Echevarría, a director from Beta Fiction Spain, has been chosen to create “Dolores”, a biographical piece focusing on Dolores Ibarruri, also known as La Pasionaria, a globally recognized symbol of the labor movement and the fight against fascism.
International distribution rights for Albert Serra’s “Afternoons of Solitude” were acquired by Films Boutique, a notable title from the film’s main competition.
Leading up to San Sebastian, Latido Films acquired the rights for Antón Álvarez’s highly anticipated directorial debut, “The Flamenco Guitar of Yerai Cortés.
In the realm of film acquisitions, Visit Films has obtained the worldwide distribution rights for “Surfacing,” a movie directed by Cecilia Atán and Valeria Pivato, which was showcased in the ‘New Directors’ category at San Sebastián.
The film titled “Constellation” features “Chaplin, Spirit of the Tramp,” directed by none other than Chaplin’s granddaughter.
As part of their consolidation efforts, Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo’s company, La Termita, have formed a production partnership with Sara Gonzalo’s Accidental Productions.
*Amania Films from Basque Country, known for “Ane Is Missing,” and Andalusian company La Claqueta (“The Endless Trench”) have recently formed a strategic alliance aimed at expanding their influence in Spain’s audio-visual market as well as overseas.
Latido Films continues its momentum by acquiring “As Silence Passes By,” one of Spain’s most eagerly awaited 2024 premieres, as well as “Freedom to Dreams,” a homage to sculptor Eduardo Chillida directed by prominent Spanish documentary filmmaker Arantxa Aguirre.
*FilmSharks has boarded Sandra Gugliotta’s “Irremediable” from Argentina’s Magma Cine.
The film “A Yard of Jackals,” a Chilean thriller starring Néstor Cantillana and Blanca Lewin, has been acquired for international distribution by MPM Premium.
Pink Parrot Media has been entrusted with distributing the animated documentary about climate change titled “Black Butterflies.
Simultaneously, Filmax secured distribution rights for two projects – the drama “Time of Silence,” focusing on renowned author Luis Martin Santos, and the popular Spanish comedy “Hotel Bitcoin.
The British-French film production company Alief has joined forces with Colombian director César Augusto Acevedo, who won the prestigious 2015 Cannes Camera d’Or for “Land and Shade,” on his supernatural drama titled “Horizonte.
International distribution rights for the film “Zafari,” directed by Mariana Rondón, have been secured by Spain’s Feelsales.
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Esther Acebo, famously recognized for her captivating portrayal of Stockholm in the worldwide phenomenon “Money Heist” on Netflix, has agreed to take on the lead role in Nestor Ruiz Medina’s forthcoming film, titled “In the End, Everything Will Be Fine.
In collaboration-based productions, renowned Argentine filmmaker Victoria Galardi made a comeback at the San Sebastian Film Festival, showcasing her upcoming project, “The Hedgehogs” (or “Los Erizos”), which delves into the challenges of a couple’s split.
Martin Boulocq, a filmmaker from Bolivia, has joined forces with Uruguay’s Cimarrón Cine, which is affiliated with The Mediapro Studio, for the production of “The Strange Woman.” This upcoming drama explores surrogate motherhood and is set against the backdrop of a turbulent Bolivia.
France’s Caractères and Chile’s Planta have collaborated on a project titled “Hard Boiled School,” created by Hernán Rosselli.
In a similar fashion, French production company Still Moving has teamed up with Uruguayan production house Monarca to collaborate on Pablo Lamar’s Cannes Discovery contender “Remanso.
France’s production company, Dublin Films, is supporting “A Different Garden,” a heartwarming drama about childhood penned and directed by the talented Colombian filmmaker, Mariana Gil Ríos.
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2024-09-27 21:48