Features by Basque filmmakers are wowing international festivals in 2024, thanks to a rise in public support, a growing talent pool and one of Europe’s most valuable filmmaking incentives.
Aitor Arregi and Jon Garaño’s Marco premiered in the Horizons strand of this year’s Venice Film Festival. From San Sebastián-based production company Irusoin with Moriarti and Atresmedia Cin, the film is based on the real-life story of Enric Marco (played by Eduard Fernández), a charismatic man who served as the self-elected speaker of the Spanish Association of Holocaust Victims, claiming to be a survivor of the death camps.
Irusoin also produced Nina, the second feature by Andrea Jaurrieta, which screened at Malaga Film Festival in March, winning the critics’ jury award. Produced with BTeam Productions, Icónica and Lasai Producciones, Nina is about a woman returning to the village where she grew up, with revenge on her mind.
With a focus on supporting up-and-coming talent, Irusoin is also behind David Pérez Sañudo’s second feature The Last Romantics (Azken Erromantikoak), selected for San Sebastián’s New Directors programme. It portrays a woman experiencing a health scare at the same time as a work conflict.
San Sebastián also premiered Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s The Platform 2 in its Culinary Zinema section. The feature is produced by Basque Films and stars Milena Smit and Hovik Keuchkerian.
Power of three
San Sebastián showcased three titles by Basque producer Koldo Zuazua’s Kowalski Films, which is based in Gipuzkoa and Bilbao. Icíar Bollaín’s competition film I’m Nevenka is inspired by the true events surrounding a town councillor who accuses the mayor of sexual harassment. Mireia Oriol and Urko Olazabal star in the film, which is produced with Madrid’s Feelgood Media and Garbo Produzioni.
Kowalski Films reteams with Feelgood for Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s series Querer for Movistar Plus+. Screening in official selection at San Sebastián, it tells the story of a woman who leaves her husband after 30 years of marriage and accuses him of rape. Shooting took place in the Basque Country, mainly in Bizkaia.
Additionally, Juana Macías’ The Girls At The Station is screening as a RTVE gala. Kowalski Films again reteams with Feelgood Media, this time with La Periférica too.
Zuazua notes the Basque region’s enhanced tax incentives have helped to revitalise the region’s audiovisual industry: “The number of productions has shot up, professionals are working intensively, and that also brings new talent and crews and a renewal of the industry.”
The new tax break policy came into effect in January 2023, with the Basque territory of Bilbao-Bizkaia offering one of the highest incentives in Europe, amounting to 60% if the eligible spend exceeds 50% of the total budget; 50% if between 35%-50%; and 40% if between 20%-35%. The credit reaches 70% when productions are shot entirely in the Basque language.
Backing women filmmakers
Women directors and producers are leading many of the Basque productions in the spotlight. Sayaka Producciones’ Nahikari Ipiña produced Nacho Vigalondo’s Daniela Forever, which opened the Platform section at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Henry Golding stars as a man who enrols in a drug trial that will allow him to reunite with his lost lover, played by Beatrice Grannò, through lucid dreams.
Sayaka has also produced Borja Cobeaga’s upcoming comedy Los Aitas, which opens in Spain next year. Additionally, the Sayaka-produced A Whale, directed by Pablo Hernando, will premiere at Sitges Fantastic Film Festival. The latter, which is lead produced by San Sebastián-based Señor y Señora in co-production with Italy’s Orisa Produzioni, stars Ingrid Garcia Jonsson as a ruthless contract killer.
Basque Audiovisual, the international brand established by the region’s lead audiovisual organisation Zineuskadi, is working to catapult more women-led projects into production. One initiative is NOKA Production, a mentoring programme for future female directors and producers.
“The great moment Basque productions are experiencing is the result of actions, incentives and initiatives carried out in the last few years,” state Mar Izquierdo and Ione Feijoo, general co-ordinator and head of communications, marketing and international development respectively at Basque Audiovisual. “We hope soon we can talk about an even stronger female Basque cinema thanks to initiatives such as NOKA.”
Projects in the works include Helena Taberna’s Us (Nosotros), produced by Lamiak Producciones, and Asier Altuna’s Karmele, produced by Txintxua Films and starring Jone Laspiur, a Screen International Spain Star of Tomorrow in 2021.
Contact: info@basqueaudiovisual.eus
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