Many titles are ready or about to be launched this year at international festivals and on the theatrical circuits. This is happening at an intense pace. The absorption of product by the platforms is great, and there are also numerous titles that may surprise at festivals and in cinemas. A promising selection.

Ariel

Dir. Lois Patiño

Selected for Rotterdam (IFFR), this play-within-a-play on film by the Galician director is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's “The Tempest”, which gradually opens up to other iconic works by the English playwright and poet. Lois Patiño previously explored Shakespeare's universe in the Cannes-premiered short film “Sycorax”, co-directed with Argentine filmmaker Matías Piñeiro.

Sales: Filmika Galaika

Dads

Dir. Borja Cobeaga

Cobeaga, who was nominated for an Oscar for his 2007 short “One Too Many”, will deliver this new comedy, set in the working-class outskirts of Bilbao in the late 80s. The film depicts a girls' gymnastics team going to participate in a championship in Berlin and grudgingly accompanied by their fathers. It is produced by Inicia Films, Sayaka Producciones and BTeam Prods alongside Umedia Production SA (Brussels).

Deaf

Dir. Eva Libertad

Premiering at Berlin's Panorama, Libertad's debut feature is a love story focusing on parenthood and the challenges that arise when a young couple welcome a baby girl, and the mother is deaf. The film features Miriam Garlo, Alvaro Cervantes and Elena Irureta. It is produced by Distinto Films, Nexus CreaFilms and A Contracorriente Films.

Sales: Latido Films

Decorado

Dir. Alberto Vázquez

One of the biggest Spanish bets for an A-Fest selection is this animated feature follow-up to the short of the same name, premiered at Cannes' Directors Fortnight in 2016. This colourful but dark comedy centres on Arnold, a middle-aged mouse going through a midlife existential crisis who is convinced that his world is actually a film set. It is produced by Abano Producións and Uniko Estudio Creativo.

Sales: Le Pacte.

El ser querido (The Loved One)

Dir. Rodrigo Sorogoyen

The next film by the director of Cannes-premiered “The Beasts”, Javier Bardem and Victoria Luengo star in “El ser querido”, which tells a story on an acclaimed film director and his daughter, an unsuccessful actress, who finally shoot a film together. It is produced by Caballo Films, Movistar Plus+ and Le Pacte.

Sales: Goodfellas

Emergency Exit

Dir. Luis Miñarro

Spanish star Marisa Paredes’ last film, also featuring Emma Suárez, Naomi Kawase, Arielle Dombasle, Myriam Mézières and Aida Folch. It is directed by one of Spain's most celebrated producer-directors, Luis Miñarro. A modern take on magical realism, the story revolves around a mysterious bus and features a strong feminine presence. Co-produced by Eddie Saeta and El Viaje Films.

Fed Up

Dir. Julia de Paz Solvas

Follow-up feature of the short that won the Audience Award at Malaga Film Festival in 2022. The film examines children adapting to life after their parents' separation. Second directorial feature by de Paz after “Ama”.  It is produced by Spain's Astra Pictures and Avalon, and Belgium's Krater.

Sales: Beta Cinema

Foreigner

Dir. Lucía Aleñar

Developed at the Cannes Critics' Week Next Step programme and Cinéfondation Residency, this feature debut by Lucía Aleñar expands on her short of the same name, which premiered at Cannes Critics' Week in 2020. The film follows a woman whose holiday is disrupted by her grandmother's violent death – a mystery witnessed only by her. It is produced by Lastor Media, Vilaüt Films, La Perifèrica, Fox in the Snow (Sweden), and Kino Produzioni (Italy).

Los Tigres (The Tigers)

Starring Bárbara Lennie and Antonio de la Torre, who eke out a living as industrial divers off the Andalusian coast, this is the latest thriller by the director of hits “Prison 77” and “Marshland”. “Los Tigres” is a Movistar Plus+ original, co-produced with Kowalski Films, Feelgood Media, Mazagon Films, and France's Le Pacte.

Sales: Film Factory Entertainment.

My Friend Eva

Dir. Cesc Gay

Cesc Gay (“Truman”) helms this romantic comedy about a 50-year-old married woman rediscovering life and passion after a dramatic encounter in Italy. Written by Gay and Eduard Sola (“A House on Fire”) and produced by Imposible Films and Alexfilm, the story unfolds between Barcelona and Rome.

Sales: Filmax

Morlaix

Dir. Jaime Rosales

Set to premiere in Rotterdam's Harbour section, Jaime Rosales's “Morlaix” tells the story of a first teenage love between two adolescents coping with recent tragic losses. The film is co-produced by French Iwaso Films, Les Productions Balthazar, and Spanish Fresdeval Films.

Sales: Iwaso Films

Romería (Pilgrimage)

Dir. Carla Simón

The third feature by Carla Simón after Berlin-awarded “Summer 1993” and “Alcarràs” follows Marina as she travels to Spain's northwest to meet her biological father's family after he dies of AIDS. A co-production by Spain's Elastica, Germany's Ventall Cinema, and Dos Soles Media.

Sales: mk2