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Emerging talents in Spanish cinema: A new wave of producers
Spanish cinema is experiencing a renaissance, with a new generation of producers emerging from various regions across the Iberian Peninsula. These producers are not only revitalizing the industry but also pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Here, we spotlight ten promising Spanish producers who are making waves in the film industry.
Eva Bodas: Entre las piedras (Madrid)
Eva Bodas, a graduate of Madrid’s ECAM, is a force to be reckoned with. She founded her production company, Entre las piedras, in 2022. The company has already made a mark with projects like Antonio Llamas’s short film La insurrección que viene and Jorge Cantos’ Los olvidados. These films have been showcased at prestigious markets such as Berlinale, Cannes, and Busan. The company’s first feature, A Suburban Mythology, directed by Antonio Llamas, Alejandro Pérez Castellanos, and Jorge Rojas, is set to hit Spanish theaters later this year. Bodas is passionate about creating political cinema with a magical component, aiming to blur the lines between fiction and non-fiction.
Charli Bujosa Cortés: Mansalva Films (Madrid)
Charli Bujosa Cortés, Spain’s only trans-non-binary producer, is making significant strides in the industry. After studying law in Berlin, Bujosa shifted gears to pursue cinema in Madrid. They co-founded Mansalva Films in 2021, focusing on live-action and stop-motion projects. Their first feature, A Landscaped Area Too Quiet For Me, won accolades at DocsLisboa and DocumentaMadrid. The company’s latest animated short, Toda Está Perdido, was nominated for a Spanish Academy Goya Award. Bujosa believes in creating films that defy traditional genre boundaries, offering a unique and inclusive cinematic experience.
Jesús Choya Zataraín: Sincio de Pelis (Cantabria, Madrid)
Jesús Choya Zataraín, a 2020 graduate of Madrid’s ECAM, has quickly made a name for himself. He founded Sincio de Pelis and has worked on notable Spanish films like Alauda Ruiz de Azua’s Lullaby and Isabel Coixet’s Un Amor. At the 2022 Malaga Film Festival, two Choya-produced shorts were featured, earning him recognition as a Málaga Talent. Choya is dedicated to telling stories that resonate with younger audiences and explore the overlooked aspects of daily life.
Carlota Darnell: Cornelius Films (Barcelona)
Barcelona native Carlota Darnell is a junior executive producer at Cornelius Films. Her first producer credit was for the short film The Things That Keep Us Apart, which debuted at the Malaga Film Festival in 2021. In 2023, her first feature, Negu Hurbilak, received a Jury Special Mention at Locarno. Darnell is interested in producing films that provoke thought and leave viewers with more questions than answers. She values stories that emphasize the sensitivity of their creators and have the potential to appeal to an international audience.
Laura Egidos Plaja: Contraria (Barcelona)
Laura Egidos Plaja, co-founder of Contraria, has worked on high-profile Spanish films such as J.A. Bayona’s Society of the Snow. She is currently financing debut features like Jordí López Navarro’s The Day After and Alberto Gross Molo’s March 14. Egidos participated in the Rotterdam Lab and will be part of this year’s Match Me! in Locarno. She focuses on producing independent, auteur films with commercial potential, aiming to create thought-provoking content that resonates with audiences.
Alvaro Garcia: Hampa Studio (Valencia)
Based in Valencia, Alvaro Garcia is a producer-creator with a diverse background. He began his career in the U.K. and later returned to Spain, working on major features like J.A. Bayona’s A Monster Calls and Álex de la Iglesia’s Perfect Strangers. Garcia is now at Hampa Studio, where he oversees development and executive production. His current project, Girl and Wolf, directed by Roc Espinet, exemplifies his goal of creating films with a strong identity and broad audience appeal.
Personal reflections for cinema enthusiasts
As a cinema enthusiast, it’s exhilarating to witness the rise of these new voices in Spanish cinema. Each producer brings a unique perspective and a fresh approach to storytelling. Their commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional cinema is not only inspiring but also essential for the evolution of the industry. Whether it’s through political cinema, inclusive narratives, or thought-provoking content, these producers are shaping the future of Spanish cinema in exciting ways.
For those interested in exploring their work, here are some direct links to trailers and information pages:
- A Suburban Mythology
- A Landscaped Area Too Quiet For Me
- Negu Hurbilak
- The Day After
- Girl and Wolf
These links provide a gateway to the innovative and diverse world of contemporary Spanish cinema, offering a glimpse into the creative minds shaping its future.# Emerging voices in cinema: Women producers shaping the future
Sara Gómez: A passion for family films and comedies
Sara Gómez, a communications graduate from the University of Navarra, has carved a niche for herself in the Andalusian production outfit La Claqueta. Her notable works include serving as executive producer on Rocía Mesa’s SXSW Audience Award-winner Tabacco Barns and Patricia Oretega’s Sundance competition player Mamacruz. This year, her debut feature as a producer, Belén Funes’ Los Tortuga, will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Gómez is driven by a desire to produce family films and comedies. Her focus is on stories for and about women of all ages. “Now that I’m a mother, I’m more concerned about education and would like to tell stories that teach our daughters about how valuable they are in the world,” she reflects. This personal touch adds a layer of authenticity and passion to her projects, making her a significant voice in the industry.
Nati Juncal Portas: Merging activism with auteur cinema
Nati Juncal Portas began her journey in the film industry as a P.A. in 2004 and has since worked in nearly every crew position imaginable. Her credits include Álvaro Gago’s Matria, César Souto’s A Foreign Story, and Lois Patiño’s Lúa Vermella. Currently, she is a producer on the Locarno First Look title Prefiro Condenarme.
In 2018, Juncal co-founded Cósmica Producións with Sonia Méndez. Their debut feature, As Neves, premiered to a stellar reception at the Malaga Film Festival. Coming from a strong activist background, Juncal views her work as a means to contribute to society and culture. She is particularly drawn to auteur films, especially those from women filmmakers, and even better if they’re from her native Galicia.
Montse Pujol Solà: Blending fiction and documentary
Montse Pujol Solà began her professional career at Boogaloo Films in 2018. Her credits include Miguel Ángel Blanca’s Seriesmania best short series winner Autodefensa, Elena Molina’s Malaga-winning doc Remember My Name, and the short films The Painter’s Room and Todos los días domingos. Pujol-produced Downriver, A Tiger is part of this year’s Locarno First Look lineup.
Pujol emphasizes producing films that reflect current issues with a commitment to the internationalization of young talent. She aims to inspire conversations among viewers by blending fiction and documentary elements. Her approach ensures that the films she produces are not only artistically rich but also socially relevant.
Katixa Silva: Championing first-time filmmakers
Katixa Silva, a University of Navarra graduate, works for CSC Films as an executive producer and freelance production designer. Her past credits include David Pérez Sañudo’s Ane is Missing, which won three Spanish Academy Goyas in 2020, Víctor Iriarte’s Sobre todo de noche, Marina Sereseky’s Sin instrucciones, and Pablo Hernando’s Una ballena, set to premiere at Sitges in October.
Silva is currently working on several features, including Maider Oleaga’s Harakune and Nerea Castro’s Canción animal. She is particularly motivated to back first-time filmmakers and is interested in producing human stories that deal with complex emotions, regardless of genre.
Reflections on the future of cinema
The contributions of these women producers are shaping the future of cinema, bringing diverse and authentic stories to the forefront. Their dedication to family films, comedies, auteur cinema, and human stories ensures a rich and varied cinematic landscape. As they continue to break new ground, their work not only entertains but also educates and inspires, making a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
