Spain’s Rising Film Stars Shine at Berlin’s Country in Focus Event!

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2025 Spotlight: Spain Takes Center Stage at the European Film Market highlights two key aspects. On February 17, during the Berlinale Series Market, Spanish television productions will be given prime attention in a dual-session event titled “Spanish Thrillers.” This session will feature works-in-progress titles of thrilling Spanish series, captivating industry professionals and audiences alike. Additionally, “Spanish Connection” is another event where five promising Spanish projects will be pitched to an industry audience, offering potential opportunities for collaboration and growth.

On Valentine’s Day, a Producers’ Exhibit will showcase 10 production companies and their ongoing projects at the Producers’ Center. Additionally, another group of 10 producers will be participating in the Visitors’ Program at the Berlinale Co-Production Market.

To gain insights into the present condition of the Spanish film industry as portrayed by companies and projects, I recommend checking out the Spanish Cinema Spotlight in tomorrow’s EbMaster print Daily. As we wait for that, let me share some detailed information about the 20 companies and significant productions highlighted at Spain in Focus.

Producers Showcase

Alba Sotorra S.L., Alba Sotorra 

Based in Barcelona and recognized as one of Spain’s prominent international co-production practitioners with a wide scope, this entity has produced films ranging from those set in Syria (“The Return: Life After Isis,” nominated for the International Emmy) to 1972 Kabul (“Sima’s Song”) and modern-day Newark Airport (“Upon Entry,” nominated for the Independent Spirit Awards). The team, now exclusively female under the leadership of Sotorra, seeks out stories with a social focus, told from a feminist perspective, particularly those directed by women. At Berlin, Sottora will showcase “Sima’s Song” and “Wolf Grrrls,” two very distinct but both being narratives about sisterhood.

Avalon, Emilia Fort

Established in 1996 by CEO Stefan Schmitz, Avalon has grown to become one of Spain’s leading art house production and distribution companies. It gained recognition when Clara Simón’s “Alcarràs” won a 2022 Berlin Golden Bear. By this time, Avalon had expanded into television production, creating shows like Manolo Caro’s “Somebody Has to Die,” a notable Netflix series produced in Spain. The company has consistently nurtured new talent, such as Elena Martín Gimeno’s “Creatura,” which won at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, and now presents Ian de la Rosa’s “Iván & Hadoum,” María Herrera’s “Since You’ve Been Gone,” Salvador Sunyer’s documentary feature “Who We Are” (“Qui Som”), and narrative movie “Basarda” at the Focus.

Batiak, Clara Santaolaya

Clara Santaolaya of Batiak Films explains their productions as independent films with global influence, characterized by an auteurist perspective and a commitment to nurturing new talent. Established in late 2021, Batiak gained recognition with the Fipresci prize from Belinale Forum for “The Human Hibernation.” The company also highlights extensive development, as evidenced by “Lena,” Clara’s directorial feature debut, which has passed through 13 development programs or co-production forums. At Berlin, Santaolaya will showcase “Lena,” a story of emotional rejuvenation featuring Mireia Oriol from “I Am Nevenka” and Alejandro Cortés Calahorra’s “Old Dog,” described as an ambitious psychological thriller that leverages the power of stories.

Escándalo Films, Aintza Serra

2005 saw the establishment of this platform, dedicated to showcasing films produced by graduates from Barcelona’s prestigious film school Escac. Notably, it was the producer behind J.A. Bayona’s early shorts, responsible for launching the careers of numerous talented directors, including Rafa Cortés, Mar Coll, and Kike Maillo. As they continue to seek out international partnerships to expand their reach, Serra shares their ambitions at Berlin, presenting a diverse array of titles. Many of these stories revolve around themes of self-discovery, such as explorations of sexuality in “Jone, Sometimes” and societal obsessions like wealth in “The Dreamers,” technology in “Share,” and appearance in “Wonder Boy.

Inicia Films, Valérie Delpierre

Ever since 2006, I’ve been passionately committed to cultivating the next wave of filmmakers,” I proudly affirm, having been the founder. Our efforts have birthed remarkable works such as Clara Simon’s “Summer 1993” and Pilar Palomero’s “Schoolgirls”. Indeed, Inicia can rightfully boast about contributing significantly to Spain’s recent film movement – a genre we can call ‘new generation cinema’, predominantly spearheaded by women, deeply rooted in local settings yet tackling universal themes.

Over the years, Inicia has expanded its horizons. I am honored to present some of our latest projects at Berlin, including Adrià García’s first animated feature, “The Treasure of Barracuda”, a more mainstream comedy, Borja Cobeaga’s “The Aitas”, and a TV show from Carlos Márques Marcet, the creator of ‘They Will Be Dust’.

LaCima Producciones, Ricard Sales

Established in 2016, La Cima, a production company based in both Barcelona and Madrid, has been responsible for creating two of Spain’s most admired and critically acclaimed films recently: “The Year Of The Discovery” (2020), directed by Luis López Carrasco, a groundbreaking and unconventional hybrid documentary feature; and “Afternoons of Solitude,” which won the Golden Shell at San Sebastian in 2024 and was described as an “extraordinary documentary” by EbMaster. Future projects include “Face to Face,” a heartfelt reconciliation drama directed by Javier Marco, and a film shoot documentary feature titled “La Reserva,” supported by the World Cinema Fund.

Morena Films, Rodrigo Espinel

Among Spanish independent film studios, only a handful have maintained the diverse and consistent range seen in the 30-year-old Morena Films, one of the largest, boasting titles from prestigious Cannes films (“Che,” “Everybody Knows”), blockbusters (“Champions,” “Cell 211”), hits for streaming platforms (“Below Zero”), genre movies (“Piggy”) and documentaries (“Sons of the Clouds: The Last Colony”). At Focus, Espinel will discuss the film “(8)” by Julio Medem (“Sex and Lucía”), a late-blooming love story unfolding against the backdrop of Spain’s modern history. Morena Films, as per Espinel, produce stories with a strong commercial appeal while simultaneously delivering a meaningful message to audiences.

Solita Films, José Esteban Alenda

2005 marked the beginning of Solita’s journey, which has since flourished in collaborative film production, particularly with first-time Latin American directors whose works include “The Awakening of the Ants,” a Berlin award winner, and “The Fishbowl,” selected for Sundance. Currently, Solita is spearheading diversity in Spanish cinema by producing films like Jiajie Yu Wan’s Catalan production “Three Ages,” a cross-generational exploration of immigration. Additionally, they are backing emerging directors such as Albert Gross (“March 14th”) and Guillermo Benet (“Yesterday I Will Love You”). As Alenda explains, their primary focus is on creating films that resonate deeply with audiences through powerful storytelling, while nurturing unique voices that break norms and present daring narratives to a global audience.

Pecado Films, Odile Antonio Baez, José Alba

Antonio Baez and Alba will showcase “My Parents Grand Bazaar,” the first feature film by Andalusian director Rakesh Narwani in Berlin, a heartfelt story inspired by true events that audiences often appreciate. Co-written with Marina Parés (“Ane is Missing”), this production is underway at Pecado, a company based in Malaga and Madrid, which has previously produced “Close Your Eyes” with Victor Erice and “Mamacruz,” a contender at Sundance. Antonio Baez describes Pecado as a studio that creates auteur-driven films with commercial potential, and they are now expanding into animation and international co-productions.

Sideral Cinema, Nuria Landete

A film producer-distributor, known for working with emerging directors like Enrique Buleo, Burnin’ Percebes, and Pablo Maqueda, who have created unique films such as “Still Life With Ghosts,” “The Fantastic Golem Affairs,” and “Girl Unknown.” Landete plans to showcase Sideral’s upcoming projects at Berlin, which include “The Dashed Lines” by Anxos Fazán, “Cheaper than Stealing” by Pedro Collantes, a Galician film noir titled “Death in Your Eyes,” and Ainhoa Menéndez’s highly anticipated “In the Flesh,” a horror-thriller exploring the dark side of love.

Visitors Spotlight

Artefacto Films, Anna Giralt Gris

Based in Barcelona and founded in 2022, Artefacto – a groundbreaking non-fiction organization led by Giralt Gris and Jorge Caballero – focuses on researching, creating, teaching, and curating content surrounding cinema and artificial intelligence. As stated by Giralt Gris, they have developed an innovative program called OpenDocs, designed to back short documentaries delving into current global issues using AI as a significant storytelling element. Their work, “Artifacts of War,” was recently recognized at Berlin, having won the Eurodoc award in the Ji.hlava New Visions Forum. The film, penned and directed by Caballero, investigates the expanding market of non-lethal weapons.

Good Friends, Mario Pagano

Pagano describes the Madrid-based production company as creating tales that delve into human nature, emphasizing character-driven narratives set in a fantastical world where anything is possible. For instance, one of their projects, ‘Eternal Love,’ currently in post-production, is an artistic experiment and universal love story. It combines film narrative with art, collaborating with Madrid’s Thyssen Bornemisza National Museum and Mexico’s Jumex Museum of Contemporary Art, making it a one-of-a-kind piece of cinematic art.

Filmakers Monkeys

Filmmakers Monkeys, a Spanish production company founded in 2019 by Lopez and Pilar Sancho, has made a name for itself with offices in Madrid, Andalusia, and León. Notable achievements include an Oscar-shortlisted live action short “Masterpiece,” winning the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, as well as producing several Goya-prize winning shorts like “Mama” and four nominees. Their diverse portfolio includes 20 shorts and four features. Currently, they are involved in projects such as the race-themed documentary feature “Those Who Dared,” directed by Santiago Zannou, Lopez’s short film “Polígono,” and potentially the first animated feature with sign language, titled “Silence Sometimes.

Materia Cinema, Inés Massa Puigsubirá, Nadine Rothschild

Materia Cinema, established by Inés Massa and Nadine Rothschild, has taken on co-financing for Ira Sachs’ films that were screened at Sundance and Berlin, specifically “Peter Hujar’s Day.” This production company focuses on promoting fresh talent and building lasting partnerships. Within a brief period, they have produced “The Permanent Picture,” which was shown in the Locarno competition, and “A Commonplace,” winner of Catalonia’s Gaudí Award, both by Laura Ferrés and Celia Giraldo respectively. At Berlin, Materia Cinema and Avalon are planning to showcase their potentially exceptional documentary feature “Who We Are” (“Qui Som”), about the remarkable performing group Baro d’evel.

Pimpi & Nella Films, Txelu Medina Arbide, Gentzane Martinez de Osaba and Iratxe Fresneda

A Basque production company based in Bilbao, founded in 2014, produces thought-provoking documentaries like “Tetuán’s” Fresneda, delving into themes of migration and displacement, and now “All the Roads are Open,” highlighted in Visitors. The creator, Medina, describes each film as a voyage for viewers, exploring creative documentary boundaries through an observational and interactive approach. Unspoken tales serve as their source of power. “All the Roads” is a road trip film from Berlin to Spain, set in 1933, chronicling the journey of the intriguing Swiss writer Annemarie Schwarzenbach – previously seen in “Tetuán” – and her companion, photographer Marianne Breslauer, as they visited Spain’s Second Republic.

Producciones La Cochera, Javier Rodríguez Espinosa

Based in Málaga, this production company started delving into film and TV production in 2019 and was behind the quirky comedy “Isosceles,” which won the best feature award in the student section at the Malaga Fest Zonazine in 2022. The team’s goal is to create films that captivate, amuse, and inspire them, always prioritizing the creators. Rodríguez Espinosa will discuss his upcoming feature, “At the Back of Life,” at Spain in Focus. This film revolves around a woman who has five days to settle a local debt, but finds a glimmer of hope when she learns she might have a supposed half-brother from Germany.

Ringo Media, Mireia Graell Vivancos

Based in Barcelona, Graell Vivancos is the driving force behind Alvaro Gago’s “Matria,” a feature debut selected for Berlinale Panorama. A Grand Jury Prize winner at Sundance in 2018 for his short film with the same title, Gago. Following Patricia Franquesa’s “My Sextortion Diary” which premiered at SXSW last year, Vivancos is set to return to Austin with “Fury.” This film revolves around Alex, an actress who experiences rape. Her brother reacts aggressively, fueled by anger, but this doesn’t aid Alex in her recovery. According to Vivancos, the film sheds light on how a patriarchal and male-dominated approach can isolate victims. She describes the movie as having a fast-paced rhythm and a captivating world.

Shift Dif, Álvaro de Miguel

Led by Alonso Merino and De Miguel, the production company is responsible for “Esto no es Noruega,” a short film directed by Alicia Álbares and Paco Cavero that was screened in over 100 festivals. They also produced Marc Romero’s feature film, “Hora y Veinte,” a gripping thriller about the kidnapping of a child based on true events. De Miguel will showcase “Forever Elsewhere” at Berlin, a documentary profiling renowned Spanish underwater photographer Rafa Fernandez Jr., detailing his life-altering encounter with humpback whales in the Silver Bank. The film also delves into Rafa’s insatiable desire for adventure and his ongoing quest for a home he can never seem to find.

Smiz & Pixel, Andrea Gautier

Established in 2006, this production company is based in Madrid and is spearheaded by co-founders Juan and Andrea Gautier, along with Samuel Hurtado. As stated by Andrea Gautier, the company’s foundation is rooted in academic research and over a decade of feminist activism, viewing cinema as a potent instrument for enlightenment and societal change. In 2024, the company reached two significant milestones – producing its first feature film, “El Aspirante” (directed by Juan Gautier), which was acquired by Begin Again Films, and co-producing its first international documentary, “Rebeladas,” with Perro Rojo Films from Mexico. At the EFM, Andrea Gautier will present two projects: a story focusing on female empowerment titled “Ultrasonics” and a hybrid documentary series called “Fraternity.

La Vida DR, Araceli Pérez-Rastrilla

Established by Pérez-Rastrilla in 2024, La Vida is making its mark by tapping into Spain’s abundant auteur genre pool. For instance, “Money Heist” director Koldo Serra is involved with “Salvaje,” a film about a female bounty hunter in the European mountains of 1871, which Pérez-Rastrilla describes as a fresh take on the action-adventure genre. Moreover, La Vida has other projects lined up, such as “Strangers” (“La Cura”), the debut feature from rising woman genre director Gigi Romero, showcased at Toronto’s 2024 Do It the Spanish Way! Spotlight and developed during a Sitges WomanInFan residency.

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2025-02-13 22:19