Beta Group, the European giant led by Jan Mojto, is stepping up its commitment to both content and the Spanish market with the launch of Beta Fiction Spain, a new company that will produce TV series and feature films, offer production services, and act as Beta's film distribution arm in Spain. 

Beta Group, the European giant led by Jan Mojto, is stepping up its commitment to both content and the Spanish market with the launch of Beta Fiction Spain, a new company that will produce TV series and feature films, offer production services, and act as Beta's film distribution arm in Spain.

The new company will be headed by two of the country's best known and most reputable film and television executives: Mercedes Gamero, former head of Atresmedia Cine, the film production and acquisition arm of Atresmedia and one of the most powerful film production companies in Spain, and Pablo Nogueroles, former senior vice president of Warner Bros. Pictures International Spain.

The two will manage Beta Fiction Spain together with Christian Gockel, who is responsible for all the Beta Group’s Spanish activities. Beta Fiction Spain is the second Spanish subsidiary of Beta Group after Beta Entertainment Spain, headed by Javier Perez de Silva, which is mainly dedicated to the creation and adaptation of new international, unscripted entertainment formats.

The first projects or acquisitions by Beta Fiction Spain have not yet been announced but its launch comes at a time when Spain is establishing itself as an international powerhouse in the new OTT-driven environment: eight of the top 10 non-English language TV shows and movies released on Netflix are in Spanish.

Spain also has had its largest presence in years at two of the biggest events for the international industry, the Berlin and Cannes Festivals.

From the Atresmedia series "Grand Hotel" and "Velvet" to the Movistar Plus originals "El embarcadero" and "Vida perfecta”, Beta Film has successfully marketed major recent Spanish productions on the international market.

“Spain needed stronger independent distribution companies, and both Gamero and Nogueroles have developed excellent talent relationships over the years. They are the perfect match for Beta's next step: creating successful national and international content with the best Hispanic creative talent," said Christian Gockel.

“Having the option to establish an independent production and distribution powerhouse is a unique opportunity in the current environment," said Gamero.

“The Spanish market is undergoing tremendous changes, as is the rest of the world. We believe we have the opportunity to be a premier independent European distributor and producer of theatrical cinema, as well as a co-producer of feature films and television programs," added Nogueroles.

Mercedes Gamero, the only Spanish woman in the top 50 of Variety's "International Women's Impact Report", has been part of Atresmedia for 18 years, working in leading positions as the producer of a number of feature films, including the BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee for Best Animated Film "Klaus", as well as the Goya Award winners for Best Film “La Isla Mínima” and Best Animated Film “Futbolín”.

Gamero was responsible for the strategy and execution of all acquisitions by Atresmedia's channels and was closely involved with Hollywood studios and national and international distributors. Previously, he headed the Film Acquisitions and Co-Productions department at Telemadrid, the AXN channel in Spain, as well as Sogecable.

Nogueroles had been CEO of Warner Bros. Pictures International Spain since 2006 and Senior Vice President since 2017, playing a key role in the day-to-day operations of the international film division, overseeing sales, marketing, dubbing, technical operations, and local production.

Prior to joining Warner, Nogueroles had worked at Yelmo Cineplex, the joint venture between Sony/Loews Cineplex and Yelmo Cines, where he served as director of marketing and business development, and at  Buena Vista International and Sony Pictures Entertainment.