12/06/2008

The 2008 Madrid Screenings closed with a sumptuous ceremony at the Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens of Retiro, the main park of the Spanish capital.

Although some distributors are not revealing much about the deals closed at the event, the Spanish film market certainly achieved its goals of presenting a quality showcase of domestic films.

New this year was the competitive presence of Imagina, the international sales holding of MediaPro, with the success of Nacho García Velilla’s Fuera de carta in its line-up. According to Beatriz Setuain, head of international sales, “the Madrid Screenings were very important for taking significant steps forward in negotiations with key territories such as Italy and France.”

Fuera de carta has also been picked up by TLA Releasing for the US.

Strong interest in Spanish cinema came from North American market makers, who were particularly keen on Imanol Uribe’s La Carta Esferica and Rodrigo Cortés’ Concursante [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

Venevision, Weisner (Puerto Rico) and CDI (Argentina) signed numerous contracts for film slates that have sold commercially in previous markets.

The Screenings also presented a good opportunity to clinch sales to smaller countries, such as those of Eastern Europe, where titles such as Julio Medem’s Chaotic Ana (Sogepaq) and Vicente Aranda’s Canciones de amor en Lolita’s Club [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Lola Films) were very successful.

Latido exceeded all expectations on the “Latin” front, selling José Luis López-Linares’ The Chicken, the Fish and the King Crab [+see also:
trailer
film profile] to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Benelux and opening negotiations with another top five territories. La buena vida by multiple award-winner Andrés Wood (Machuca) began its commercial career before its international premiere even, with significant sales throughout Europe.

The improvement and growth of Madrid Screenings affirms the positive trend of Spanish cinema.

(Translated from Italian)