The Euro 75: Morena Films (Spain)

Need to know: Founded in 1999, Madrid-based Morena Films is a seasoned production outfit with an international profile that has seen it work with directors including Steven Soderbergh (Che) and Asghar Farhadi (Everybody Knows). Key features by Spanish talent include box-office hits such as Daniel Monzon’s Cell 211 and Javier Fesser’s Champions, as well as Iciar Bollain’s Even The Rain, which was Spain’s Oscar entry in 2011. Morena’s slate comprises both fiction and documentaries with international potential, such as the Goya-winning Sons Of The Clouds directed by Alvaro Longoria, one of Morena’s producers. It also supports new talent such as first-time director Carlota Pereda, who premiered Piggy at this year’s Sundance, and Lluis Quilez, whose debut film, thriller Below Zero, was the most watched film globally on Netflix in the week of its release in early 2021. Morena operates as a mini studio, with four producers and five junior producers who work independently but share know-how and creative input.

Key personnel: Pilar Benito, managing director; Juan Gordon, producer; Alvaro Longoria, producer; Pedro Uriol, producer; Merry Colomer, producer.

Incoming: Currently in development are features Malinche by Argentinian director Pablo Trapero and The Killing Of A Dead Man by Jose Padilha (Elite Squad), and TV series Far Away by Iciar Bollain (Maixabel).

Alvaro Longoria says: “Co-producing is crucial to retain the independent model. Diversity is what defines Europe and its culture and this must prevail over economics. Mega-platforms are only one way to make content but there must be other models.”

Contact: morenafilms@morenafilms.com