At the sixth Iberseries & Platino Industria conference in Madrid, leaders from five major Mediapro Studio companies—Globomedia, 100 Balas, Big Bang Media, Cimarrón Cine, and El Terrat—outlined a unified approach to the Spanish production landscape. Despite their varied project slates, the executives agreed on a core philosophy: prioritize talent and agility over sheer scale, ensuring each project fits its specific story.
Globomedia continues to lean heavily into comedy, a genre director general Maria Jose Rodriguez described as integral to the company’s identity. Citing influential titles such as “Sé lo que hicisteis” and “Caiga quien caiga,” Rodriguez emphasized that comedy serves as a vital tool for entertainment, critical thinking, and audience connection.
For 100 Balas, the strategy centers on creator-driven fiction and real-life narratives. Director general Alejandro Flórez highlighted projects like the thriller “Death in Llanes,” based on the murder of politician Javier Ardines, and the documentary series “Expediente Linares.” Flórez noted that in an era of abundant audiovisual content, the key differentiator is unique storytelling. The company is also moving forward with a second season of “Celeste,” starring Carmen Machi, who recently received the National Film Prize at the San Sebastian Festival.
Flórez stressed that international success does not require diluting local flavor. “You shouldn’t be afraid of being local,” he said, arguing that a distinctly Spanish perspective can actually enhance a series’ global appeal.
Big Bang Media is balancing its live television heritage with a push into scripted fiction. General manager Carmen González pointed to the longevity of “Malas Lenguas” across RTVE channels as an example of adaptable television. The company is also developing new fiction series, including projects based on works by bestselling author María Dueñas and Inma Aguilera’s novel “La Dama de la Cartuja.”
In the Latin American market, Cimarrón Cine is adopting a borderless model. CEO-co-founder Santiago López compared the company to the Uruguay’s cimarrón dog breed, shaped by mixing and adaptation. Currently composed of teams from five countries, the company aims to double its in-house original development from one-third to one-half of its projects. López rejected the notion that some territories only execute while others think, stating, “We make the project possible so that the story can be possible.”
El Terrat, leveraging nearly four decades of comedy and entertainment experience, is aggressively expanding its fiction portfolio. General manager Agustín Esteve stated that the company aims to be equally recognized for scripted drama. Their recent film “5 minutos más,” which premiered at San Sebastian, mixes comedy, thriller, and apocalyptic elements. Esteve attributed the company’s formula to “talent, irreverence, risk, passion, honesty and play,” alongside a relentless work ethic.
Across all five companies, the message remained consistent: despite tight budgets and a crowded market, distinctive creative voices remain essential.
Cimarrón’s borderless model is impressive. Latin American teams should absolutely lead development, not just execute ideas.
Interesting pivot to scripted fiction, but can El Terrat maintain its comedy roots while chasing drama acclaim? Skeptical.
Finally, a strategy that values creativity over empty metrics. Local stories really do have universal appeal when told well.