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A fast expanding player in a period of contraction in the global market, The Mediapro Studio is bringing to the upcoming Cannes and LA Screenings a film-TV content slate spangled by recent and important novelties.
Their first stop is Cannes, where The Mediapro Studio Distribution is presenting to the market its swelling feature film output, led by Marcel Barrena’s Spanish box office hit and Goya winning film “The 47.”
Toplining Eduard Fernández, the true life-based social movie has been already sold to Italy and Greece; while U.S. and China deals are underway.
Another standout title at the market is Carlos Polo Menarguez’s harassment drama “El talento,” a co-production with Fernando León de Aranoa’s Reposado, starring “Elite’s” Ester Expósito, whose Spanish and Latin American rights are sold by TMSD, with other international distribution handled by Vicente Canales’ Film Factory.
Co-produced by The Mediapro Studio U.S. & Canada with BBC Films, sci fi-suspense film “The End of It,” written-directed by María Martínez Bayona, toplines Gael García Bernal, Rebecca Hall and Noomi Rapace. Bankside Media handles most international rights, The Mediapro Studio Distribution, Latin America.
Now in post-production Andrew Niccol’s drama “I Object,” a co-production between Scynthia Films (“The Apprentice”), Good Question Media and Southern Light Films, is being sold by TMSD for Latin America. The Film Exchange manages international rights.
In the case of the comedy “Riff Raff,” co-produced by Canopy Media Partners and Signature Films, directed by Dito Montiel and toplining Bill Murray, Jennifer Coolidge and Ed Harris, TMSD again has taken Spain, Andorra and Latin American sales rights.
After six years at Madrid-based The Mediapro Studio Distribution – the production, acquisition and sales arm of giant Grup Mediapro – Javier Esteban was promoted in June to head of international. Effective from Jan. 1, Esteban replaced Marta Ezpeleta, upped to general director of The Mediapro Studio.
Lorna Lee Torres, head of film distribution, and Béatrice Nouh, head of distribution, form Esteban team at the helm of TMSD.
“I oversee and manage the distribution, co-productions, and acquisitions team for The Mediapro Studio’s international offices. Each office has a leadership team, such as the U.S. office, which is led by Juan “JC” Acosta, and the Latin American office, by Mauricio Correa, Esteban commented.
At the Los Angeles Screenings TMSD will present “Yakarta,” showrunner Diego San José’s follow-up to Series Mania-prizded production “Celeste.” Toplining Javier Cámara (“Rapa”), “Yakarta,” a Movistar Plus original series, is co-produced by The Mediapro Studio’s 100 Balas with Buendía Estudios Canarias.
“El mal invisible” (“Quiet”), a cop thriller series created by Lluis Arcarazo, is set in Barcelona during the pandemic. Co-produced by The Mediapro Studio with Catalan pubcaster 3Cat, “Quiet” will soon bow on Disney+ after its final episode scored a spectacular 17% share at Catalan public broadcaster TV3.
“Reykjavik Fusion” – a Nordic Noir series presented as a mix of “Breaking Bad” and “The Bear”– teams Iceland’s ACT4, France-Germany pubcaster Arte and Erik Barmark’s Wild Sheep Content, backed by The Mediapro Studio.
On the eve of the Cannes market and LA Screenings, Variety talked to Javier Esteban in its first interview at his new position. Among other issues, he comments about The Mediapro Studio Distribution growth on the global market, and its bet on flexibility, sustained by a wide range of possibilities for collaboration the company brings to the table to potential partners.
Variety: What does your post as international head entail?
Javier Esteban: As the International Head of The Mediapro Studio, I am responsible for overseeing the activities of our international offices, distribution, co-productions, and content acquisitions at a global level.
The studio is the fruit of many years of growth. What are its objectives?
Our objectives are to continue growing in content, international expansion and creative talent. We continue to focus on the English-speaking market, where we have made great strides since opening our office in Los Angeles, and we continue working with the best creative talent. Both, the big in-house names the caliber of Ran Tellem and Daniel Burman, as well as highly prestigious collaborators who want to work with us, like Evan Katz, currently working with Burman on ‘Witness 36’, one of the TMS US projects.
Furthermore, TMS also seeks to expand our portfolio of production companies by incorporating world-leading and quality benchmark labels, as is the case with Cimarron and Fresco Film, incorporated in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and which are actively contributing to the Studio with high-quality global projects.
Can you give some examples of how these objectives have worked?
A recent example that illustrates our approach is “Mesa de regalos,” one of the most successful theatrical releases in Mexico in recent years with over two million admissions. The film is the result of a powerful synergy of talents and is a co-production between The Mediapro Studio and Pampa Films-Gloriamundi, led by Catalina Porto, Head of The Mediapro Studio in Mexico and Colombia.
Other examples in this line are the series “Yosi: The Regretful Spy,” by Daniel Burman, with two Emmy Award nominations, and the already mentioned “Witness 36,” one of the main projects from the U.S. office, with Evan Katz as showrunner and co-writer.
What are the priorities at your new position?
Along with the main objectives mentioned above, the coordination of the different offices and business development, understood as the search for new opportunities and growth.
After the studios’ pullback, platforms are now making fewer commissions, the free-to-air market is fairly stable compared to a few years ago, and public broadcasters have slightly less money. Where are the growth opportunities for The Mediapro Studio?
Our growth strategy is closely linked to the pursuit of new markets, particularly the expansion into the English-speaking market. As mentioned earlier, our Los Angeles office, led by JC Acosta, has, in just one year, launched a compelling slate of projects that highlight our ambitions. Through collaboration with new clients and evolving business models, we are unlocking opportunities, not only in co-productions but also in innovative formats and adaptations such as the recently announced ‘El Conquistador’ for TelevisaUnivision in Mexico and the US.
A key strength that underpins all of this is our flexibility and responsiveness to partner and client needs. This adaptability is something we have cultivated over time, supported by a robust infrastructure of international offices and dedicated teams. These foundations make us a dependable partner and position us strongly to tackle the challenges ahead.
Flexibility, for example, is windowing or the possibility of expanding into territories or areas where there hasn’t been as much emphasis in the past, such as English-language production, which seems to be one of the strongest market trends right now…
Our experience in English-language markets is well-established. We began with Sorrentino’s ‘The Young Pope’ and ‘The New Pope’ followed by “The Head,” which has successfully concluded its third season. Its premiere on Max in the U.S. is a testament to both its quality and broad appeal – successfully vetted by one of the industry’s foremost platforms. The momentum continues with “The End of It” and “Witness 36”, both recently announced by JC Acosta’s team, reflecting our growing and diverse English-language portfolio.
Can you comment on a recent example of flexibility, which is something that has distinguished TMS from the beginning?
Co-productions – an area where we were pioneers at TMS – remain central to our DNA. We’ve sustained this momentum with standout titles such as Mike Leigh’s film “Hard Truths”, produced alongside ‘The Thin Man’; ‘The End of It’, co-produced with BBC Film, and series such us ‘The Famous Five’ with BBC Studios; ‘Quiet’ with Televisió de Catalunya; ‘Celeste’ and ‘Yakarta’ with Movistar Plus+ and the three acclaimed seasons of ‘The Head’, among many others.
At the LA Screenings, you’re going to sell, but are you also planning to acquire?
This year, we’re attending with a clear distribution focus and a fresh slate of standout content. One example is “Quiet,” which debuted on Catalonia’s 3Cat and TV3. Its finale achieved a +17% audience share – an exceptional result. We’re now introducing this thriller based on a true story, to audiences in the U.S., Latin America, and beyond. “Celeste,” a critical darling that has received multiple awards, including two from Series Manía, is also part of our showcase. We’re equally excited about “Yakarta”, the latest series from the “Celeste” team, created by Diego San José, co-produced with The Mediapro Studio and Movistar Plus+, and starring Javier Cámara. So, yes, a clear distribution focus.
Alongside distribution, acquisitions form another vital pillar of our strategy. Strategic partnerships, like our ongoing collaboration with BBC Studios on “The Famous Five,” are central to this effort. These joint ventures reinforce our distribution strength in Spain and Latin America, while enabling us to co-produce with world-class partners.
Can you talk about your bigger bets at the Cannes market?
Lorna Lee Torres, our Head of Film Distribution, is representing the team at Cannes. Key titles include “The 47,” which has already garnered 26 major awards – including five Goyas – and grossed €4 million ($4.5 million) at the Spanish box office. It has been sold in multiple territories, and we are continuing its international rollout. We’re also showcasing “El Talento,” adapted from the novel “Fräulein Else” by Arthur Schnitzler, and starring Ester Expósito, Pedro Casablanc, and Mirela Balic. We hold the licensing rights for Spain and Latin America. Finally, we’re proud to announce “Laponia”, currently in production. This comedy based on a theatrical hit that found success both in Spain and internationally – is directed by David Serrano.
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