Spanish Cinema Roars Back at Cannes: A Renewed Momentum

After a puzzlingly muted presence at this year’s Berlinale, Spanish cinema is roaring back with two high-profile selections in the main competition at Cannes: Carla Simón’s Romería and Oliver Laxe’s Sirat. While it’s premature to label Berlin’s sparse Spanish lineup as an anomaly, Spain’s strong showing at Cannes suggests a renewed momentum that Spanish sales agents are eager to capitalize on.

Optimism in the Spanish Film Market

At the February European Film Market, Spanish companies reported an upbeat atmosphere despite the absence of major competition titles. This optimism arises from various factors, including a new generation of directors, genre films ready for international audiences, and a burgeoning animation sector. Importantly, the technical and storytelling standards across the board have seen significant improvement.

“We’ve definitely raised the bar,” says Iván Díaz, head of international sales at Filmax. “The quality in Spanish productions is better now, and you can feel that in every genre: animation, horror, thrillers. You can now make a great-quality animated film with less money, and that’s crucial, as long production times are risky in today’s fast-changing market.”

Thriving Animation and Genre Films

Animation and genre projects, in particular, continue to thrive within the Spanish film sector. Filmax has capitalized on this trend, showcasing projects like The Footballest 2 and The Treasure of Barracuda at Cannes’ Marché du Film. As Díaz emphasizes, family and animation titles are increasingly appealing not just in Europe but also in Latin America and beyond, where independent animation has proven its box-office potential.

Challenges Facing Spanish Cinema

However, the overall enthusiasm is tempered by systemic challenges. Antonio Saura of Latido Films highlights that Spain’s government once provided financial support to sales agents—a practice still commonly implemented in France, Germany, and Italy. Unfortunately, this support was canceled two decades ago and has yet to be restored. “The institutions have listened to us,” Saura notes regarding lobbying efforts by Spanish sales agents, “but we do not see them addressing this extremely grave issue as a priority. It’s obvious that any country supporting their movies and culture has an advantage, which Spain does not have.”

The lack of backing has been particularly acute during the international rollout of Spanish films. Díaz points out the stark contrast in how films like Flow benefitted from France’s international promotion infrastructure, enabling significant success abroad. In contrast, many Spanish productions grapple with marketing challenges, even when their quality matches or surpasses that of international peers.

A Bright Future with Emerging Platforms

The evolution of Spain’s television landscape may offer some relief. Movistar Plus+—a significant backer of Laxe’s Sirat—and other players are now producing increasingly ambitious films with sales agents secured for international distribution. Vicente Canales of Film Factory praises this shift: “The market is looking for more ambitious projects, not just micro art-house films. Movistar’s model, which aims for films selected at top festivals like Cannes and Venice, is very positive for Spanish cinema.”

However, Canales warns that Spanish cinema cannot rest solely on festival laurels. He points to a troubling trend: the selections at Berlin have become less commercially viable, presenting difficulties for distributors to identify marketable titles. On the other hand, Cannes’ selections in recent years have enjoyed considerable theatrical success worldwide. “At Berlin, the market and the festival are going down very different paths,” he notes. “Meanwhile, in Cannes, we’re seeing titles that succeed both critically and commercially.”

The Path Forward for Spanish Filmmakers

Ultimately, the future of Spanish cinema on the global stage will depend on a combination of smart production choices, sustained government support, and a collective industry focus on films that can connect both artistically and commercially. With Spain’s star rising again at Cannes and a promising outlook ahead, maintaining this trajectory will require coordinated effort.

Spanish cinema is at a pivotal moment, and as the industry reinvigorates itself with fresh talent and compelling stories, it has a chance to reclaim its rightful place in the global film landscape. As we witness this evolution unfold, there’s a palpable excitement surrounding the creative strides being made, ensuring Spanish films remain competitive and relevant on the international stage.