GRUP MEDIAPRO and CHINA MEDIA GROUP will jointly promote collaborative projects in the field of audiovisual services, content co-production, media rights and immersive experiences. The framework agreement signed between GRUP MEDIAPRO and CMG establishes the international activity of the Chinese media giant as preferential areas of cooperation. CHINA MEDIA GROUP was founded in 2018 through the fusion of all Chinese state-holding media enterprises. One of the first joint projects will be the creation of an exhibition space in Lima on the occasion of the APEC (Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit 2024.
CMG operates an extensive broadcast network covering 51 television channels, 9 of which broadcast internationally; 22 radio frequencies aimed at a national audience, programming in 80 languages for global broadcast, and three national news websites. The CMG Group's media platforms and their app versions have a large and constantly growing number of customers and users and the media conglomerate’s global news gathering and editing network has a presence in 69 countries and regions around the world, with a global international news publication rate that places it among the world's leading media outlets. Its international video news agency operates with a network of clients in 151 countries and regions and provides video news services to more than 4,700 radio, television and mobile internet platforms.
GRUP MEDIAPRO opened its first office in Shanghai in 2019 from where it has developed projects related to LALIGA's international expansion, audiovisual production and e-sports. The group leads the European audiovisual sector thanks to its transversal nature and constant innovation. With more than 30 years’ experience, the group covers all the activity linked to the audiovisual sector, innovating across all projects and through its five business areas, creates, designs, produces and distributes every conceivable type of audiovisual and experiential content.
The Mediapro Studio is the content creation, production and distribution factory of GRUP MEDIAPRO responsible for the implementation of high-quality global projects, developed in association with renowned talent of national and international prestige. Broadcast Media Services, the group’s audiovisual services division, has one of the largest fleets of Outside Broadcast units in the world delivering more than 20,000 productions per year worldwide. Its 16 production sites located on 4 continents are equipped with the most advanced technology. Through Mediapro Xperiences, the group designs, produces and manages experiential spaces in all types of formats and with the most innovative technology. The Rights division has established itself as one of the leading media rights management agencies in the sector and through the Channels and OTT unit, the group produces and manages up to 15 of its own channels as well as those for major operators such as ESPN, LALIGA and Movistar.
More than 7,000 professionals in the 52 offices on four continents make GRUP MEDIAPRO's purpose a reality every day: creating courageously and with a commitment to the community.
The movie narrates the day-to-day life of a London family and explores themes such as family relations, grieving and mental health
‘Hard Truths’ is a THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO and THIN MAN FILMS co-production
As announced today by the San Sebastian International Film Festival, 'hard Truths', the new film written and directed by Mike Leigh, co-produced by THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO and Thin Man Films in association with Film4 and Creativity Media, will participate in the event’s Official Competition Section.
The film is the twenty-third in the British filmmaker's career, shot on location in the British capital throughout 2023 and portrays the day-to-day life of a London family, exploring themes such as family relationships, grief and mental health.
The film's producer is Georgina Lowe, and co-producers are Laura Fernández Espeso for THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO and Henry Woolley for Thin Man Films.
For Pansy, life is a constant struggle, plagued with both physical and mental pain, her way of relating to the world is through anger and confrontation: she argues with her family, her dentist, doctor, and even supermarket check-out staff. For a long time, her husband Curtley, has been at a loss as to how to relate to her and her son Moses lives immersed in a world of his own, barely exchanging a word with her and who spends his days roaming aimlessly around the city. Only her loving sister Chantelle truly understands her plight and is able to reach her.
On the heels of 'Mr. Turner' and 'Peterloo', 'Hard Truths' marks Leigh's return to the contemporary world through a tough but intimate study of family and also represents the reunion 28 years later between the writer and director and leading lady Marianne Jean-Baptiste, nominated for an Oscar in 1996 for her role in 'Secrets & Lies'; also written and directed by Leigh. Michele Austin, who also featured among the cast in the 90’s hit film, returns in 'Hard Truths' along with Tuwaine Barrett.
Throughout his career, Mike Leigh has been nominated seven times for the Oscars and has won two Bafta awards from the British Film Academy. His work has also been recognized up to five times at the Cannes Film Festival (including the Palme d'Or for ‘Secrets & Lies’ which also won him the Best Director award) and also boasts to his credit a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival where ‘The Secret of Vera Drake’ won Best Film.
On the filming of 'Hard Truths', Leigh is accompanied behind the cameras by many members of his usual crew, including producer Georgina Lowe, cinematographer Dick Pope, costume designer Jacqueline Durran, production designer Suzie Davis, composer Gary Yershon and casting director Nina Gold. Joining Leigh’s crew on this title are editor Tania Reddin (‘This England’) and hair and makeup designer Nora Robertson (‘Scrapper’).
Bleecker Street will release the film in US cinemas later this year and StudioCanal is managing the UK release, while Cornerstone Films will handle international sales and BTEAM Pictures are in charge of distribution in Spain.
This new acquisition will create significant synergies with other areas of GRUP MEDIAPRO
THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO, the international content creation, production, and distribution company of GRUP MEDIAPRO, announced today the acquisition of FRESCO FILM, a leading production service company in the fiction market, aiming to enhance its provision of production services for large international projects.
Founded in 1972, FRESCO FILM has specialized in providing production services for high-budget international fiction projects. Their portfolio includes globally successful series such as 'Game of Thrones,' 'House of the Dragon,' 'Westworld,' 'The Blacklist,' 'Killing Eve,' and 'Narcos: Mexico,' as well as films like 'Uncharted,' 'Terminator: Dark Fate,' 'Spider-Man: Far From Home,' and Guy Ritchie's latest film, 'The Covenant,' among many other titles. They also offer services for documentaries and commercials.
Laura Fernández Espeso, CEO of THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO, emphasized "the prestige and recognition that FRESCO FILM has achieved among major global production companies. Their experience and professionalism have established them as a benchmark in the international industry, and their integration into THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO is excellent news, especially following the recent acquisition of CIMARRON."
"For us, it is an honour to become part of GRUP MEDIAPRO. There are many synergies that, by joining forces, enable us to create an even greater offering in terms of production quality and, above all, human quality. Joining forces with GRUP MEDIAPRO is a dream come true, representing a logistical, creative, professional, and human expansion," commented Peter Welter, CEO of FRESCO FILM.
Under Welter's leadership and supported by a team of professionals, FRESCO FILM has become an international reference in the content industry. They collaborate with major studios, producers, and streaming platforms such as Max, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, SkyShowtime, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Discovery, BBC Studios, Paramount Pictures, Hulu, NBC, Peacock, Fremantle, and leading European audiovisual companies like Sky Atlantic, ZDF, ARD, and ITV Studios, among many others.
FRESCO FILM provides all necessary services for a production, with special attention to location scouting, including outdoor spaces, historical sites, specific locations, and sets. They also handle the hiring of experienced technical professionals and local acting talent, provide high-tech equipment, and manage tax benefits.
FRESCO FILM is a pioneer in sustainability. Since 2018, they have maintained a dedicated department that oversees each project and shoot to ensure sustainability through environmental calculators and green suppliers. The company's prestige has also grown due to international recognitions and awards, such as those from the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI), an organization that gathers location professionals from the audiovisual industry. They have won these awards three times for their work on 'Game of Thrones' (in 2015 and 2018) and for 'Killing Eve' (2020).
THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO presents the OFFICIAL TRAILER of the film 'EL 47', set to hit theaters on SEPTEMBER 6 distributed by A CONTRACORRIENTE.
Directed by Marcel Barrena (Mediterráneo, winner of three Goya awards; 100 metros, winner of two Gaudí awards, and Mòn Petit, nominated for the Best Documentary Goya) and written by Barrena together with Alberto Marini (The Stranger, While You Sleep), the film stars Eduard Fernández (winner of three Goya awards, a Silver Shell at the San Sebastian Festival and three Silver Biznagas at the Malaga Festival), along with Clara Segura (Goya nominee for Creature), Zoe Bonafonte (Scandal. Story of an Obsession, Amar es para siempre), Salva Reina (Iron Reign, Marshland), Carlos Cuevas (Merlí: Sapere aude, Smiley), Oscar de la Fuente (La Casa, The Good Boss) and Vicente Romero (Intemperie, Express) Betsy Túrnez (One for All, The One-Eyed King) and Aimar Vega (Los pequeños amores, Prison 77), and featuring a special appearance by David Verdaguer, winner of two Goya awards for Summer 1993 and Jokes & Cigarettes.
Fed up with Barcelona City Council claiming that public transport couldn’t reach the Torre Baró district because the streets were too narrow and unsafe, Manolo Vital, a local resident and bus driver for the city’s public transport service, set out to show, from behind the wheel of the route 47 bus – "El 47" – that the authorities were wrong. 'El 47' is the inspirational true story of a man, a bus and the fate of a neighborhood.
The film narrates the story of the Barcelona neighborhood of Torre Baró, but this is also the story of many other neighborhoods that were formed in the 1950’s with the influx of emigrants who settled on the outskirts of big cities all across Spain. In many cases, in houses built by their own hands after having had to abandon their land to carve out a future far from home. Years later, in the 1970’s, many of these neighborhoods were still not even considered part of the city and often lacked basic amenities such as running water, electricity, or other basic services.
Many residents of Torre Baró also took part in the filming as extras. Salustiano, Desideria, José Manuel... many of whom were direct witnesses to Vital’s challenge to the authorities in 1978, or direct relatives of those who lived through it, as an example of struggle and dignity of a united neighborhood. Their presence takes on a special prominence as reflected in the official poster, inspired by the very spirit of the film itself.
'EL 47' was made in association with Movistar Plus+, with support from the ICEC, the participation of RTVE and 3Cat, as well as the involvement of Triodos Bank and with ICO financing. THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO Distribution is responsible for international sales.
THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO ha finalizado el rodaje de su nueva serie ‘EL MAL INVISIBLE’, un thriller de ocho episodios coproducido con 3Cat que se estrenará en TV3 y la plataforma 3Cat y que previamente se anunció con el título provisional de ‘El Mal’. Lluís Arcarazo es el creador de esta ficción -ambientada en la Barcelona del confinamiento y basada en una historia real- que narra la investigación para dar con un asesino en serie que ha elegido como sus víctimas al eslabón más débil de la sociedad: los sintecho.
David Verdaguer (ganador de dos premios Goya por Saben Aquell y Verano 1993) y Ángela Cervantes (dos veces nominada a los premios Goya por La Maternal y Chavalas), son los protagonistas de esta serie, cuyo rodaje ha tenido lugar en distintas localizaciones de la Ciudad Condal. En el reparto destacan también Àlex Brendemühl (Nominado al Goya por Creatura) y Melina Matthews (Mano de Hierro) así como los jóvenes Roger Guitart y Victoria Kantch. Marta Pahissa es la directora de todos los episodios.
Laura Fdez. Espeso, Javier Méndez, Lluís Arcarazo y Bernat Elías son los productores ejecutivos por parte de THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO y Oriol Sala-Patau y Conxa Orea son los productores ejecutivos por parte de 3Cat. La serie se estrenará en primicia en 3Cat y THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO Distribution cuenta con los derechos de venta a nivel mundial.
‘EL MAL INVISIBLE’ está creada y escrita por Lluís Arcarazo, quien es el principal guionista de todos los episodios de la serie, con la colaboración de los también guionistas Guillermo Cisneros y María Jaen. Arcarazo ya ha trabajado anteriormente con THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO en la película Salvador (Puig Antich) y en la serie Nit i día, dirigida por Oriol Paulo, que fue un éxito en territorios como Australia, Italia, Brasil, Estados Unidos, Suecia o Reino Unido, entre otros.
Marta Pahissa es la directora de los ocho episodios de la serie. Directora de ficción y documentales con más de veinticinco años de experiencia, Pahissa ha dirigido títulos como Rapa para Movistar Plus+, Smiley para Netflix, y Ser o no ser para RTVE, ésta última producida también por THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO.
El argumento de ‘EL MAL INVISIBLE’ parte de una historia real. A finales de abril de 2020, en pleno confinamiento por la COVID-19, las autoridades detuvieron a un hombre acusado de asesinar uno tras otro a varios indigentes en las calles de Barcelona. Siempre siguiendo los mismos patrones: siempre mientras dormían y siempre con una brutalidad extrema. Con este planteamiento, y en ese contexto de ciudad vacía y confinada, Arcarazo desarrolla la idea del ‘mal’, con el doble sentido tanto de maldad como de un virus que va infectando a sus víctimas.
Los agentes de homicidios encargados de la investigación, su entorno personal más cercano y quienes se ven obligados a convivir en las calles de Barcelona sin posibilidad de huir de ningún mal son los personajes principales de la historia.
David Verdaguer es uno de los grandes actores del momento en nuestro país, ganador de dos premios Goya por Saben Aquell y Verano 1993, además de dos premios Feroz y dos Premios Gaudí, entre otros. Ángela Cervantes es una de las actrices con mayor proyección, nominada dos veces a los premios Goya por La Maternal y Chavalas, trabajos por los que fue premiada con sendos Premios Gaudí.
Este proyecto cuenta con el apoyo del ICEC (Instituto Catalán de las Empresas Culturales-Catalan Institute of Cultural Enterprises).
THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO today announced the appointment of María José Rodríguez as Managing Director of Globomedia, a highly esteemed production company recognized both nationally and internationally. With over 30 years of experience and notable successes that have significantly impacted the television industry, Rodríguez's new role will commence on September 1st.
Previously responsible for original production at Amazon Prime Video in Spain, María José Rodríguez will now oversee Globomedia’s content strategy and production operations, reporting directly to Laura Fernández Espeso, CEO of THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO. Espeso remarked: "Globomedia is a pivotal brand for the STUDIO, playing a crucial role in our overall strategy. With her extensive experience and impressive track record, María José brings invaluable expertise in both fiction and non-fiction content production. She is a respected and well-regarded professional within the industry. We are delighted to welcome her to our team, where she will lead such an important brand for us."
María José Rodríguez expressed her enthusiasm: "I am thrilled to return to Globomedia, which was my professional home for over a decade, and to join the remarkable team at THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO. Globomedia is not only a beacon of creativity and excellence in the audiovisual sector but also a fundamental part of my professional and personal journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to rejoin this talented and visionary team. I am committed to bringing all my experience and passion to contribute to the growth of this esteemed creative house, continuing to innovate and elevate industry standards."
A graduate in Information Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, Rodríguez joined Amazon in 2020 as head of original production in Spain, launching global hits such as Culpa Mía, Reina Roja, Los Farad, and OT, the first live show on a streaming service. Her career has been closely tied to original production, having participated in the launch of Movistar+ channel #0, where she directed original production and later broadcasting, overseeing Programming, External Production, Original Production, Broadcasting, On-Air Communication, and coordination with Advertising and Communication. She launched titles such as La Resistencia, Late Motiv, Radio Gaga, Tabú de Jon Sistiaga, El Palmar de Troya, Capítulo 0, Otros Mundos de Javier Sierra, Cuando Ya No Esté by Iñaki Gabilondo, and El Puente. Previously, she directed original production at Discovery Max, working on Amazonas Clandestino, El Mago Pop, and Frank de la Jungla. Early in her career, she contributed to some of the most successful Spanish television programs, including El Club de la Comedia, Noche Hache, MasterChef, and Sálvame.
Globomedia is a cornerstone of THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO’s integrated content production companies. As one of Europe’s leading production companies, it is renowned for the volume and quality of its series and programs, as well as its international sales. Globomedia has created more than 50 series, including major hits and 13 feature films, with acclaimed television series such as Paraíso, Nasdrovia, Locked Up, Estoy Vivo, The Boarding School, Aída, Los Serrano, Red Eagle, 7 Vidas, The Boat, Un Paso Adelante, and Paco’s Men, among others.
Globomedia is also a leader in entertainment program production, with over 150 titles to its credit, including El Intermedio, which recently completed 18 seasons on LaSexta, Zapeando with ten seasons also on LaSexta, the hit contest show Atrápame si Puedes which currently triumphs on regional channels throughout Spain, and recent content like The Musical of your Life on Mediaset, as well as unique specials like Leo Talks with comedian Leo Harlem, which has three seasons on Movistar Plus+. Globomedia’s film and television productions are present in over 140 countries, either in their original versions or adapted.