Taking place at Matadero, a cultural hub set in a former slaughterhouse in southern Madrid, the 2025 edition of Iberseries & Platino Industria set new records with over 2,700 accredited participants. A remarkable increase of 50% from 2024 was noted as more than 1,500 companies showcased their work at this prominent film-TV market and conference.
The surge in attendance comes as no surprise. The Netflix Top 10 of non-English shows is topped by “Billionaire’s Bunker,” produced by Alex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato of “Money Heist” fame, alongside “Angela,” from Atresmedia TV. “It’s impressive how Spanish content travels, both as originals and formats,” stated Beta Film CEO Moritz Von Kruedener during a spotlight session, where he highlighted the global success of Spanish titles like the 2011 “Grand Hotel.”
Interest from global streaming platforms is palpable. In 2024, these services collectively invested €2.0 billion ($2.2 billion) in Spanish original productions, ranking second only to the U.K.’s €2.9 billion ($3.1 billion). In contrast, investments in France and Germany were considerably lower, each at €0.8 billion ($860 million), followed by Italy at €0.7 billion ($750 million) according to the European Audiovisual Observatory.
The costs of production remain high, with shows needing to navigate through a dense array of offerings in the post-peak TV landscape.
In this context, collaboration is now paramount. The contemporary global TV market emphasizes finding mutual benefits and interests that resonate across diverse nations. “That’s why there are various alliances and forums emerging to explore synergies that make sense for multiple countries,” noted Al De Azpiazu, SVP Distribution at Fremantle, during an Iberseries panel discussion.
“Windowing remains the only viable method to create distinguishable assets,” added David Atlan-Jackson, CCO of Vuelta Entertainment.
With the growing emphasis on in-person connections, TV markets that facilitate meetings are becoming increasingly popular. The 10 Takes event at the 2025 Iberseries & Platino Industria ran from September 30 to October 3.
Disney+: A Strategic Shift
“We’re enhancing our local presence by seeking co-productions and strategic acquisitions,” explained Sofía Fábregas, VP of Original Production at Disney Plus+ Spain, during her keynote at Iberseries, revealing progress on two upcoming co-productions. Disney+ is also entering the theatrical realm, planning to co-finance four films annually. This announcement comes shortly after Disney+ and Atresmedia announced a significant, landmark agreement that allows Disney+ access to 300 hours of content, showcased under the Atresplayer label, including popular titles like “Mar afuera,” “La Voz,” and the daily series “Sueños de Libertad.” In line with their strategies in the U.K., licensing ITVX shows, and collaborating with ZDF in Germany, Disney+’s model for acquiring local content through exclusive global originals is evolving significantly.
Exciting Titles in Focus
Anticipated for global release on Prime Video on October 31, the supernatural thriller “Cometierra,” crafted by Daniel Burman, was met with enthusiasm at an Iberseries & Platino Industria panel, alongside Mediapro Studio’s compelling series “Raza Brava,” created by Hernán Caffiero (“The Suspended Mourning”), which delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by a leader of a Colo Colo soccer club fan gang.
Significant buzz also surrounded “The Anatomy of a Moment,” a narrative exploring the pivotal moments of democracy in Spain between 1976-81, which received acclaim during its premiere at San Sebastián. Beta Fiction Spain presented “Cronos,” a gripping thriller rooted in the real-life police response to the 2017 Barcelona terrorist attacks, which appears poised to be a major Spanish cinema release in 2026. Additionally, Mediterráneo Mediaset’s “La Agencia,” a remake of France’s “Call My Agent,” along with Atresmedia’s “The Maid’s Daughter,” are primed to be significant offerings at Mipcom from Spain.
Streaming Services Make Their Mark
Disney+’s strategic pivot was a noteworthy announcement among streamers at Iberseries. In addition, many streaming services made their presence felt. Movistar Plus+, Spain’s leading pay TV/SVOD operator, reported 35 international sales deals, spearheaded by “La Mesias,” “Querer,” “The New Years,” and “Marbella.”
At Iberseries, SkyShowtime’s Chief Content Officer Kai Finke unveiled a new family crime thriller titled “The Tribute” (“El homenaje”), which is a collaboration involving Sergio Casanovas and the SkyShowtime Spain team along with Secuoya, Stellarmedia, and much of the “Shades” cast, albeit in different roles. Showrunner Daniel Burman showcased “Cometierra,” produced by Oficina Burman, Cimarrón, and Exile Content Studio for Prime Video Mexico.
Co-Production: The Preferred Approach
The largest deal at Iberseries & Platino Industria was a strategic alliance between Telemundo Studios and The Mediapro Studio focused on developing and producing original films targeting U.S. Hispanic audiences and beyond. The partners recently announced the Spanish-language romantic comedy “Atrápelo quien pueda,” in conjunction with Mexico’s Cinepolis. In another spotlight session, Secuoya Studios unveiled their burgeoning roster of international production partnerships, entailing collaborations with BlackBox Multimedia (U.K.), Make it Happen Studios (France), Act4 (Iceland), and Permanent Wave Productions (U.S.). “Together, we aim to set new benchmarks for superior production standards within the industry,” remarked Javier Pons, head of Telemundo Studios. Achieving such standards is increasingly challenging without co-production.
Gaumont USA Embraces Intellectual Property
Gaumont, the world’s oldest film studio founded in 1895, celebrated its 130th anniversary, spotlighting its storied history of cinematic successes beyond its iconic “Lupin.” Their strategy moving forward was highlighted at Iberseries & Platino Industria, where Gaumont USA presented exciting projects, including the action thriller “Point Blank” and the buddy comedy “La Chef,” both featuring Kate del Castillo, alongside “Las Wannabes,” led by “How to Get Away With Murder” star Karla Souza. In Brazil, they announced “Me Engana Que Eu Gosto,” which Pedro Amorim will direct. Each project adapts well-regarded modern classics and capitalizes on Gaumont USA’s longstanding relationships with streaming partners investing in film production. “We aim to collaborate with the finest writers, directors, actors, and producers wherever we work,” stated Gaumont USA President Nicolas Atlan, who opened Iberseries with a keynote address.
Germany’s Beta Film Continues to Eye Spain
At Iberseries, Beta Film disclosed its involvement in Secuoya Studios’ romantic action thriller “Under a Volcano” and the crime thriller “Road to Arcadia,” both featuring William Levy, as part of a three-title deal between Secuoya, William Levy Entertainment, and TelevisaUnivision’s ViX. This agreement continues Beta Film’s established history of successful collaborations with Spanish content, including landmark projects such as “Grand Hotel” and “Velvet,” as well as innovative series from influential Spanish creators like Alex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato on “The Pier.” Beta Film and Movistar Plus+ solidified a three-year production and distribution deal in 2019. “Maintaining personal connections with creative talent and owning IPs is imperative,” emphasized Beta Film CEO Von Kruedener during a discussion at Iberseries & Platino Industria.
TV Markets: An Intriguing Landscape…
A study by GECA presented at Iberseries highlighted the differences in TV market dynamics across regions. For the 2024-25 season, the U.K. dominated Europe and Latin America, introducing 95 new scripted series from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. France followed with 81, Mexico with 69, Germany with 66, and Spain with 60, according to GECA’s Gloria Saló. Free-to-air channels are the key players in output across major European countries, led by the BBC in the U.K., France’s TF1, Germany’s ZDFneo, and Italy’s RaiUno.
In Mexico, however, SVOD platforms led mainly by Netflix and Disney+ overtook others in new series releases. Similarly, Spain’s SVOD services accounted for 42 of the 60 new titles launched, propelled by Netflix, Atresplayer Premium, Disney+, and Movistar Plus+. Sweden stands out for its powerful VOD channels, particularly SVT Play, while Poland showcases a vibrant streaming scene with 16 scripted premieres primarily driven by Netflix, HBO, and SkyShowtime.
Promoting Sustainability: Banijay Iberia, Mrs Greenfilm
During another Iberseries session, Banijay Iberia collaborated with Mrs Greenfilm to unveil a “Practical Eco Management Guide,” which compiles best practices from various productions, often in response to the exigencies of public administrations, broadcasters, and streaming services. “We are committed to fostering a sustainable audiovisual industry,” stated Pilar Blasco, CEO of Banijay Iberia. Productions like ‘Operación Triunfo’ and the trilogy beginning with ‘Culpa Mía’ are already trailblazers in sustainability, a commitment we aim to uphold in all our projects,” she added. Banijay Iberia consists of nine companies, including leading names in the Spanish industry such as DLO Producciones and Diagonal TV. Mother company Banijay Entertainment, operates over 130 companies across 23 territories. Founded in 2021, Mrs Greenfilm has participated in over 200 productions, marking substantial progress in sustainability initiatives.
Consumer Preferences: Thrillers Dominate, With a Micro Drama Surge
Among scripted series, thrillers are winning out across Europe in terms of new releases. In the U.K., dramas—especially 6-8 episode thrillers—account for nearly half of the new offerings, with miniseries, particularly those based on real events, following closely behind, reported GECA’s Gloria Saló. In Germany, thrillers, cop dramas, and YA comedies top the output hierarchy, while thrillers emerged as the favored genre in Spain and Italy, Saló pointed out. Latin America showcases a different trend, as micro dramas are gaining traction, particularly in Colombia, where new series are mainly adapted for smartphone consumption, either from broadcaster Caracol or dedicated U.S. titles on ReelShort. Similarly, micro-dramas are surging in Mexico, led by ViX Micro, which specializes in romantic micro novelas.
Highlighted Deals
A series of agreements were announced at Iberseries & Platino Industria:
*Eugenio Derbez and singer-actress wife Alessandra Rosaldo revealed their plans for Studio DRBZ, aimed at producing original content for digital platforms, collaborating with their three adult children: Aislinn, José Eduardo, and Vadhir Derbez. The studio aims to cater to Latin American and U.S. Hispanic audiences.
*At his keynote, Nicolas Atlan, President of Gaumont USA, announced the addition of voice talents Omar Sy, Benjamin Lavernhe, Antoine de Caunes, Clémence Poésy, Pom Klementieff, and Alain Chabat to the cast of Paul McCartney’s animated film, “High in the Clouds,” now backed by Gaumont.
*Miami’s Telemundo Studio along with L.A.’s The Mediapro Studio U.S. & Canada disclosed a strategic alliance for movie production targeting the U.S. Hispanic market and beyond (as detailed earlier).
*Movistar Plus+ International focused on buyers with their latest offerings and reported a total of 35 licensing agreements, including a co-production with Arte France on “Killing a Bear,” their fourth collaboration with the prestigious French broadcaster.
*The Mediapro Studio, now increasingly active in Latin America, proclaimed that the recently acquired Cimarrón has established its fourth Latin American operation, based in Colombia, under the leadership of seasoned executive Julián Duque. Cimarrón also has offices in Uruguay, Mexico, and Argentina.
*Pat Tookey-Dickson, producer of “1899” and “Ghosts,” is set to co-produce the period dramedy “A Remarkable Woman,” conceived by Ukrainian-Canadian writer Anastasiia Starova, which focuses on one of history’s first influencers.
*Besides “Road to Arcadia” and “Beneath the Volcano,” Beta Film plans to market the third season of “El Inmortal – Gangs of Madrid,” a Movistar Plus+ production by Banijay’s DLO Producciones, following its Season 1 global premiere at Canneseries 2022.
*Representing the growth of Latin American auteurism, “Roma” producer Pimienta Films came on board for “Lux Noctis,” from the executive producers of “Huesera.” This fantasy parable helmed by Damiana Acuña was a significant success at last year’s Ventana Sur.
*Gaumont USA is also nurturing a buddy comedy project titled “Brats” with Araceli Álvarez de Sotomayor (“Nails,” “Alpha Males,” “La que se avecina”) and Javier Aguado, who is adapting a successful Gaumont Germany series, “Die Wespe,” for the Spanish market.
*Germany’s ZDF Studios has joined as co-producer for the thriller “Patagonia. What Paradise Hides,” a collaboration with Chile’s María Wood Producciones and Spain’s Atlantika Films.
*Spain’s Pedralonga Studios, a venture between the Galician Audiovisual Cluster (CLAG) and A Coruña U, announced that their Coruña Immersive Studio (CEI), noted as Spain’s largest virtual studio and one of Europe’s most advanced, is set to open officially on October 8.
*Peru’s Tondero, managed by Miguel Valladares, has launched an office in Spain to co-produce Ricardo Gómez’s “A Family” alongside El Desorden Crea, run by “Elite” creator Carlos Montero, and Lágrimas Films.
*Spain’s Amore Cine is teaming up with Chile’s Maquina on “Dæmon” directed by Valeria Hofmann, the Sundance-winning creator behind short film “AliEN0089.”
*Argentina’s Twins Latin Films has agreed to produce “Roger on the Loose,” the latest from the Berlin (“Puzzle”) and Sundance (“Lock Charmer”) vetted director Natalia Smirnoff. “Roger” is produced together with Argentina’s Año Cero, Spain’s Fasten Films, and Mexico’s Maria Jose Cordova of Somos Maravillosa.
*Chile’s Clara Films has launched its presence in Madrid, working on its initial project titled “An Imaginary Kingdom.”
*Chile’s Quijote Films, known for the Cannes-winning “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” has joined in producing the San Sebastián-winning Brazilian documentary “Mariana x BHP,” by Renan Flumian.
*Chile’s Juntos Films, very active during Iberseries, has established a strategic collaboration with Bandada, the new label helmed by ex-Fabula executive Daniel Castell, focused on boosting their scripted content catalog for platforms serving the Spanish-speaking audience worldwide.
*Portugal’s Caracol Studios and Spain’s TV ON are collaborating on the thriller series “Past Waters,” an eight-part series following Lisbon detective Pilar Benamor.
*Madrid-based Champions’ producer Películas Pendelton is joining forces with MiraChechu on an adult animation project titled “Saturday Sabadete.”
*Indie Eye, Spain’s EFD Studios, and Mexico’s AG Media are collaborating to produce the docudrama series “Columbus: Myths and Origins.”
