Spanish Film Showcase Arrives at Ventana Sur

The traveling Spanish Screenings on Tour is set to return to Buenos Aires on December 4, making its presence felt at Ventana Sur, the leading film market in Latin America. Now in its fourth edition, the initiative, organized by the Mlaga Film Festival, has long been a pivotal showcase for Spanish cinema, highlighting key drivers of the international industry such as emerging talent, box office potential, sales strategies, co-productions, and intellectual property development.

The day begins with the Hack Malaga winners presenting their projects, spotlighting next-generation creators and cutting-edge audiovisual technologies. This will be followed by previews of Spains 2026 film lineups from major sales companies including Latido Films, Filmax, Film Factory, Bendita Film Sales, Sideral, Begin Again Films, and Cinema Republic.

In an early afternoon session, Mara Luisa Gutirrez of Bowfinger International Pictures, one of Spains most successful production companies co-founded with actor-producer-director Santiago Segura, will share insights on the Bowfinger Method in a discussion with Variety International Features Editor John Hopewell. Bowfingers portfolio includes over 40 titles, from Segura-driven hits like the Torrente and Father There is Only One franchises to other successful productions, including the 2024 thriller Undercover by Arantxa Echevarra, which grossed 9.6 million ($11.2 million), marking a record for a Spanish female director.

Gutirrez, alongside Agustn Bossi of Buenos Aires Pampa Filmsresponsible for Chinese Takeaway and Disney-backed TV productions Monzn and The Bosswill explore Argentina-Spain co-productions, spotlighting local box office successes such as Argentinas Homo sapiens! and Mexicos Mesa de Regalos, while discussing the benefits of collaborative production efforts.

Two simultaneous workshops will focus on intellectual property: one on protection led by director-writer-lawyer Francisco Menndez (Stealing Las Vegas), and another on strategic IP development moderated by producer Sydney Borjas (Red Queen). Each session will analyze five case studies relevant to their topics.

Spanish Screenings on Tour is supported by the Mlaga Film Festival, Spains Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, and the European Unions NextGenerationEU initiative. The event will culminate with the announcement of projects at the 2026 Mlaga Fund & Co-Production Event (MAFF), focusing on films from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. The presentation will be led by Camilo Vzquez of ICAA, Ventana Sur Executive Director Ralph Haiek, and Mlaga Festival Director Juan Antonio Vigar.

Co-organized with Cannes March du Film, Argentinas INCAA, and Uruguays ACAU, Ventana Sur will run from December 1-5, continuing its rotation between Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

Author: Caleb Jennings