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Zeta Studios teams up with horror auteur Paco Plaza for new projects
A landmark collaboration
In an exciting development, Zeta Studios, the powerhouse behind the smash hit series “Elite”, has teamed up with renowned filmmaker Paco Plaza. This dynamic alliance promises to develop and produce a set of groundbreaking projects. Notably, the agreement is non-exclusive when it comes to Plaza’s directorial work, allowing for versatility and creative freedom.
The kick-off project
Zeta Studios has announced that the first project stemming from this collaboration will enter production in 2025. The anticipation surrounding this venture is palpable, as fans of Plaza’s distinctive style eagerly await what is to come.
Paco Plaza: A cinematic journey
Origins and early accolades
Born in Valencia and a graduate of Madrid’s ECAM, Paco Plaza made an explosive debut with “El Segundo nombre” in 2002. This feature won the European Grand Prix for a Fantasy Film at the revered Sitges Film Festival, signaling the arrival of a formidable talent in the horror genre.
Crafting modern classics
Plaza is perhaps best known for co-creating the iconic “[REC]” franchise alongside Jaume Balagueró. The first film, a chilling and innovative take on the found footage genre, is now hailed as a modern Spanish classic (REC). Its success transcended borders, leading to an English-language remake titled “Quarantine”.
“Veronica” (2017), Plaza’s haunting narrative inspired by true events, was a considerable hit on Netflix and earned a nomination for the Spanish Academy Goya Awards. Other significant works include “An Eye for an Eye” (2019), starring Luis Tosar, and “La Abuela” (2022), which showcased its chilling presence at the San Sebastian Film Festival. His recent project, “Hermana Muerte” (2023), continues Plaza’s trend of delivering gripping content on Netflix.
Breaking boundaries with new genres
Demonstrating versatile storytelling, Plaza’s latest feature, “Mugaritz. No Bread, No Dessert,” is a departure from his signature horror. This documentary takes audiences behind the scenes of one of the world’s highest-rated restaurants, diverging into the culinary arts. The film had the honor of opening the Culinary Zinema section at this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival.
A visionary partnership
In a recent statement, Paco Plaza expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter. He emphasized the opportunity to collaborate with Zeta Studios as a creative producer, aiming to leverage his extensive experience to support other directors.
“We especially, although not exclusively, want to focus on promoting fantasy and horror genre projects, although what we are really looking for are stimulating projects,” he explained.
The powerhouse of independent production
Zeta Studios stands as one of Spain’s leading independent production outfits, garnering widespread acclaim. Their portfolio boasts major successes such as the wildly popular “Elite”, the box office hit “Superlópez”, and critically lauded films like “La enfermedad del domingo” and “El Hombre de las mil caras”. Moreover, Zeta’s latest series with Movistar Plus+, titled “La vida breve”, has been selected to open the 2024 South International Series Festival in Cadiz, Spain’s premier TV festival.
A new era of creative excellence
Antonio Asensio, CEO of Zeta Studios, expressed his optimism about the partnership, highlighting the synergy between Plaza’s extraordinary creativity and Zeta’s robust production capabilities.
“With the means and structure of a studio like ours put at the service of enormous talent like Paco Plaza, we will be able to amplify and achieve greater production quotas together.”
This collaboration is set to enrich the Spanish and international cinematic landscapes, promising a future filled with innovative and captivating storytelling. For more information on Paco Plaza’s groundbreaking work, check out the trailer for REC and look forward to more trailblazing projects from this artistic partnership.
Stay engaged with our updates and follow our journey through the realms of fantasy and horror, as we delve into the creative genius of Paco Plaza and the excellence of Zeta Studios.
