Jim Sheridan and David Merriman’s real crime re-imagination “Re-Creation,” Alberto Rodríguez’s big-scale “Los Tigres,” Paz Vega’s directorial debut “Rita” feature in Spain’s lineup at this year’s AFM.
They are joined at the Spanish Screenings on Tour by “Nightfall,” a Federico García Lorca focused real life horror film from “Wounded” director Fernando Franco, and “Wolf Night,” the latest from Guillem Morales (“The Uninvited Guest,” “Julia’s Eyes”).
Rich on crime thrillers, this year’s Spanish slate also plays to two of Spain’s strengths, the subject of Spanish Screenings showcases, which luckily enough are also proved to be of general market demand: animation and genre/fantasy. The Screenings also highlight just a few of the Spanish companies which have scored recent market hits. Very few were around before 2010 – a sign of Spain’s relatively recent dramatic growth.
Spanish Screenings on Tour
Animation Showcase
“Ages of Madness,” (Miguel Miranda, 3Doubles Producciones, Spain)
From go-ahead Tenerife-based 3 Doubles, part-owned by Studio 100 and behind “SuperKlaus,” sneak-peeked at Cartoon Forum. An anthology of adult horror shorts created in 3D/2D, inspired by Lovecraft’s universe, it “utilizes new animation techniques to uniquely alter and distort realities, featuring a TV format with nine animated shorts, each approximately 10-15 minutes long,” notes 3 Doubles Darío Sánchez.
“DinoGames,” (Kakuru Sam AIE, Beside Productions, Spain, Belgium)
Carlos F. de Vigo and Lorena Ares direct this CG-animated feature for kids, which is currently in pre-production. Co-produced by Dr. Platypus & Ms. Wombat and Beside Productions, “DinoGames” turns on Codi and Vera, two kids grieving the loss of their mother who are transported into DinoGames, an AI-based video game created by their parents. In the virtual world, they meet DinoPets and explore impossible landscapes while battling DarkFluid, a substance that corrupts the DinoPets. The project has pitched twice at Cartoon Movie and was a finalist at Annecy’s MIFA Pitching showcase and for the Eurimages Co-production Development Award.
“Like!” (aka “Smartphone Story,” Nacho La Casa, Capitán Araña, A Contracorriente, Toska Film AIE, Warmi Audiovisual, Spain, Peru)
A high-school set comedy adventure about Andrea Wallace, 13, who dreams about make the soccer team from Capitán Araña, also behind “SuperKlaus,” and backed BY top Spanish indie distributor A Contracorriente, which releases in Spain, and international sales agent Sola Media. Co-director of Ozzy, La Casa directs and produces.
“The Violinist,” (Ervin Han, Raúl García, TV ON Producciones, Robot Playground Media, Spain, Singapore)
A co-production of large artistic ambition and narrative sweep from WWII, turning on two young violinists and lovers who are separated but down the decades try to hold onto the promise of performing a two-violin sonata together one day. Directed by Singapore animation veteran Han and Raul Garcia, Annie-nominated for “Everlasting Tales,” a 2D animated feature to track. “A story about war, loss, identity, courage and perseverance, but love above all as a universal language,” says TV ON’s Paloma Mora.
Fantastic Showcase
“17 KHZ,” (Mediacrest Entertainment, Coral, Reelmedia, YLE)
A thriller from Spain’s Mediacrest (“Daniela Forever”), Coral, Heslinki’s Reel Media and Finnish pubcaster YLE created by Carlos Molinero (“Tell Me When”) and Paula Sánchez (“Yrreal”). In it, five misfits battle to dismantle a conspiracy of teenagers aiming to halt climate change by exterminating adults. “Our series is a warning Generation X, a testimony for the Millennials and a loudspeaker for “Generation Z,” said Mediacrest.
“In the Flesh,” (Ainhoa Menéndez Goyoaga, Sideral Cinema, Spain)
María works robotically at a supermarket, is thought a weirdo, then meets Sandra, a young nurse. “The attraction between the two is inevitable, but María hides a dark secret, the synopsis says. “‘In The Flesh’ finds itself in this new era of cinema that combines genres and uses horror as a tool to pose more profound questions,” says producer Nuria Landete of the ECAM Incubator project.
“Monstro,” (Andrés Goteira, Mordisco Films, Gaitafilmes)
Backed by two outfits in Lugo, Galicia, the third feature from Goteira whose “Dhogs” (2017) world premiered at Bafici. In pre-production, starring Antonio “Morris” Duran and Iván Marcos, inner journey where the protagonist enters a totally different world facing his own monsters to survive. “A fantastic, minimalist fiction feature film, set in nature,” also charting “a discovery between cultures,” says producer Alberto Díaz.
“Nightfall,” (Fernando Franco, La Terraza Films)
A project with a lot going for it: Written by Fernando Navarro (“Veronica,” “Below Zero”), directed by always interesting auteur Fernando Franco, a San Sebastian and Goya winner for “Wounded,” backed by La Terraza Films, producer of Spanish Oscar entry “Saturn Return,” and a subject which haunts so many people though rarely portrayed on screen: the “pure horror and barbarism Federico García Lorca lived in his last days,” says Franco, his murder remaining “a terrifying experience and the greatest unsolved mystery in the history of 20th century literature.”
“The Lady Who Plays,” (José Enrique March, 73140323 PC, Perseo Films)
Produced by Ezekiel Montes, who broke out as a director with “A Dead Man Cannot Live,” the fourth feature from March (“El artificio”) starring Antonio Dechent and Elena Martínez. In 1974, a man confesses at a police station that he has seen the spirit of his wife, summoned back from death, in the presence of their little daughter.
Remakes
“All the Names of God,” (Daniel Calparsoro; Tripictures, Second Gen Pictures, Wanda, Spain)
Produced by Sandra Ortiz Sanchez, this 2023 action-thriller directed by Daniel Calparsoro (“Sky High”), doyen of Spanish action-thriller, stars Luis Tosar (“Cell 211”) and Inma Cuesta (“The Sleeping Voice”). After a jihadist attack, taxi driver Santi becomes a hostage-turned-human bomb, forced to navigate Madrid with an explosive vest.
“As Neves,” (Sonia Méndez; Aquí y Allí Films, Cósmica Producións,Matriuska Producciones, Spain)
After a magic mushroom-fueled party, teens in a snowbound Galician village discover one of them is missing. A feature debut well-received at March’s Malaga Festival, it explores the hinterland between the digital and analog worlds that teens have to face.
“At the End of the Tunnel,” (Rodrigo Grande; Tornasol Films, Contenidos El Arbol, Haddock Films, Spain, Argentina)
Produced by Mariela Besuievsky, Jimena Blanco, and Pablo Echarri, this 2016 crime thriller follows Joaquin, a wheelchair-bound man who discovers his neighbors’ plan to rob a bank via a tunnel under his apartment. Danger and unexpected romance unfurl.
“Callback,” (Carles Torras; Zabriskie Films, Glass Eye Pix, Spain)
Produced by Martín Bacigalupo, Torras, and Aram Garriga, this 2016 psychological thriller is about Larry, an evangelical Christian and mover in New York, whose solitary life shifts dramatically after meeting Alexandra. The film won a trio of awards at Málaga.
“La Casa,” (Álex Montoya; Nakamura Films, Raw Pictures, Spain)
A big winner at this year’s Malaga. Produced by Sofía López, Jordi Llorca, and Araceli Isaac, the rural drama follows three siblings who reunite at their childhood home after their father’s death. Each object within their home sparks etched memories and emotional tension. It stars two-time Goya winner David Verdaguer (“Jokes & Cigarettes,” “Summer 1993”)
“Fraternity,” (Juan Gautier; Smiz and Pixel, Kabiria Films, La Bestia Produce, Featurent, Spain)
A Sitges Pitchbox winner billed as a psychological thriller about university campus hazing. It is set on the Day Zero of hazing at the Tolentino university residence. Carlos and Dani accept the 24-hour challenge to fit in, but they will have to face the worst of themselves before everything turns into a tragedy.
“Guts,” (Andrés Luque, Samuel Martín Mateos; Continental Producciones, Mucho Ruido, Spain)
Produced by Pancho Casal, Antonio Saura, and José Velasco, this 2009 crime drama follows Sebastián, an ex-con who infiltrates a seafood company only to uncover its facade for smuggling drugs. Starring Hugo Silva and Carmelo Gómez, it “delivers a nicely twisted plot and lots of suited men with guns.” Variety said at the time.
“My Masterpiece,” (Gastón Duprat; Arco Libre, TVA, Mediapro, Spain, Argentina)
Produced by Victoria Aizenstat, Mariano Cohn, and Javier Méndez, a rare solo outing from Duprat with Cohm the do behind Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas comedy “Official Competition.” This 2018 black comedy-drama tracks Arturo, a charming but unethical art gallery owner who devises a daring plan to revive his fortunes after his artist friend Renzo suffers memory loss.
“Rider,” (Ignacio Estaregui; Estaregui y Sendino & Machín, Centuria Films, Spain)
The thrilling real-time narrative follows a delivery rider in Spain, weaving together a dangerous delivery mission with her unfolding personal crises, creating layers of suspense and drama.
“The Paramedic,” (Carles Torras; Babieka Entertainment, Zabriskie Films, Spain)
One of four Zabriskie films at the Screenings, here also produced by Babieka Entertainment, this 2020 psychological thriller hit for Netflix stars Mario Casas as a paramedic whose life spirals into obsession and violence after a devastating accident. The film delves into themes of control, manipulation, and revenge.
“Upon Entry,” (Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquez; Basque Films, Sygnatia, Zabriskie Films, Spain)
A SXSW buzz title, the story of Diego and Elena, a young couple moving to the U.S. from Spain. Upon their arrival at the Newark airport with their approved residence visas, the two are unexpectedly held and subjected to an interrogation by border agents who attempt to discover whether the couple may have something to hide.
“Who Wants to Marry an Astronaut?” (David Matamoros; Mr. Miyagi Films, Spain/ Uruguay/Argentina)
Produced by Ángeles Hernández and David Matamoros, and latter’s second outing as a director after the appreciated “Isaac,”
this romantic dramedy follows David, a gay man, whose wedding proposal on Route 66 is rejected. Determined to experience marriage, he has just 10 days to find a new man and tie the knot.
Producers Showcase
“Howl,” 73140323 PC
A second title at the Screenings from Ezekiel Montes’ production company, partnering with Secuoya Studios, and turning on Mamen (Elena Martínez), who is trying to put her life together after the death of her mother, until her estranged father reappears asking for her help. From an original idea by Martínez, a “tough but beautiful story of a daughter-father relationship and how alcohol silently destroys the lives of many families,” says Montes.
“Non Trubada,” Amore Cine
A six-part alternative world scripted series, from Amore Cine, founded in Spain in 2023 by Paz Lázaro, Juan Pablo Félix, Edson Sidonie and Florencia Visconti, co-produced by top Portuguese producer Ukbar Filmes (“Silent Cargo”). In 2025, the legendary ninth Canary Island of San Borondón reappears in the Atlantic, revealing a portal to another world. “Non Trubada” stands out as a story for young people and the general public that presents new moral, political and existential paradigms in our modern society,” its producers say.
“Stay,” Aqui y Alli Films
Behind Antonio Méndez Esparza’s “Life and Nothing More,” winner of the John Cassavetes Spirit Award in 2017, is preparing a new film, “Stay,” an identity dramedy set in Madrid’s queer community sold by Altitude Films. Angela Paolini (“The Fork, The Witch, and the Worm”) and Caru Basakatua write; Aqui y Alli aim to cast the film as international production tapping Spain’s muscular tax rebates.
“Ederne,” Centuria Films
Directed by Goizeder Urtasun and Carola Rodríguez and also produced by Atera Produzioak and produced by Belén Bernuy and Miren Aperribay, this in-development film follows Laura in the 1980s, forced to drive a 13-ton truck when her husband is incapacitated.The project won multiple development awards – kicking off with the Ibero-American Grant for Film Project Development – and touches on themes of role reversal and resilience.
“The Cavern Crimes,” La Charito Films
A singular suspense thriller kicked off by the ritual murder of a young girl at the Atapuerca archaeological sites which unleashes psychosis in the small town that already experienced a similar trauma six years earlier. Starring Blanca Suárez (“Breathless”), with potential for theatrical and a rich ancillary, a movie that debates “what really makes us human: violence or empathy?” says director Manuel Ríos San Martín. From La Charito Films which scored with “The Blue Star.”
“Pamela Werner: Cold Case,” Garachico Film Service
Set to shoot next spring, Arkaitz Basterra Zalbide’s true crime doc is billed as the last chance to uncover the truth behind a 1937 cold case murder of a British teenager in Peking months before Japan’s invasion of China. Produced by Garachico Film Service on the Canary Island of Tenerife, in 2019, the project participated at Bridging the Dragon Beijing Lab in 2019.
“The Way of The Uranium,” Garachico Film Service
A second documentary from Arkaitz Basterra Zalbide produced by Garachico Film Service, although this one is still in development, “The Way of the Uranium” is a three-part documentary that will revisit the first and last mission of the German submarine U-234, a ship whose story had a significant influence on the acquisition of the first atomic bomb, the end of World War II and the launch of the nuclear age.
“Wolf Night,” Mediacrest Entertainment
Directed by Guillem Morales and produced by Gustava Ferrada, this horror feature turns on nine-year-old Miles, who has recurring nightmares about a werewolf, made all the more terrifying by a series of disturbing events in the nearby woods. The boy tries to warn his family about his nocturnal premonitions, but when nobody takes him seriously, the boy must face the beast on his own. Title is currently in development.
“The Bind,” Zabriskie Films
Presented at Toronto’s Do It the Spanish Way! International Co-Production Forum, Alejandro Rojas’ second feature, after co-writing and co-directing buzzy breakout “Upon Entry,” also from Zabriskie, picked up by Anonymous Content and Charades. “The Bind” weighs in as a dramatic noir thriller, about a fleeing journalist who crosses paths with a pregnant immigration officer, suffering burn-out, at a moment that impacts both their lives.
Market Screenings
To come.
