Cannes – A wave of Spanish-language series and features are poised to capture international attention following strong showings at Málaga Festival and ahead of Mipcom,signaling a robust period for Iberian content. Deals and buzz are building around titles spanning crime thrillers, youth dramas, and character-driven comedies, reflecting a growing demand for non-English language storytelling.
The surge in Spanish productions comes as global platforms increasingly prioritize diverse content, seeking narratives that resonate with wider audiences. This trend benefits both established production houses and emerging talent, creating a competitive landscape ripe with prospect. Several projects highlighted below demonstrate the breadth of Spanish creativity and its appeal to international buyers.
“Jakarta,” an eight-episode comedy available on Prime Video, follows Ricardo, a Michelin-starred chef who redirects his skills toward teaching socially at-risk students. The series is directed by Araceli Álvarez De Sotomayor (“Alpha Males”), with a script co-written by Javier aguayo (“La que se avecina”) and Germán Aparicio (“When No One Sees Us”).
Time Out reports on the doc feature centered on the 1970s disappearance of African American basketball star Charles Thomas while playing in Spain. The film, a hit at the March Málaga Festival, is a co-production of 3Cat, El Terrat (the Mediapro Studio).
Netflix Spain is backing “Vanished,” a groundbreaking YA mystery shot in both Basque and Spanish. The series, charting a missing teen case in a rural Basque town, is a co-production with Basque pubcaster EiTB.
Atresmedia will showcase “Vulnerables,” a three-part series from Onza that tackles sensitive youth issues including eating disorders, suicide, and sexual violence. Gustavo Ron and Gonzalo Sagardia directed the project.
Atresmedia, DeAPlaneta, Diagonal TV, and Buendía Estudios collaborated on “What Are You Waiting For?”, an eight-episode drama that debuted last October on SVOD service Atresplayer. The series centers on Can, a pilot navigating a forced marriage, and his connection with Sonia, who shares his desire for freedom.
