Markets

The highly anticipated fourth edition of Iberseries & Platino Industria will shine a spotlight on HBO’s upcoming Mexican original series Like Water for Chocolate, based on Laura Esquivel’s beloved novel. As part of the prestigious Iberscreenings program, the event will offer an in-depth look into the creative process behind the series, with a special panel moderated by M. Chiara Duranti, chief editor of Formatbiz.

The panel, scheduled for Thursday, October 3rd, from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM at Sala Azcona (Cineteca), promises to be a highlight of the international gathering of the Ibero-American audiovisual industry. Exclusive, never-before-seen images from the production will be presented, offering a rare glimpse into this magical project.

The series, produced by Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO, is an adaptation of Esquivel’s 1989 novel Like Water for Chocolate, which has been translated into more than 30 languages and was previously made into a highly successful film that captivated audiences worldwide. This new adaptation seeks to bring Latin American magical realism to international screens, with a focus on bridging cultural and geographic borders.

The panel discussion will feature insights from two key creators:
Jerry Rodríguez, showrunner and executive producer of Like Water for Chocolate and SVP, Head of Scripted at Endemol Shine Boomdog (Mexico)
Jorge Tijerina, Director of Scripted Content Development for Mexico and Colombia at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Rodríguez and Tijerina will delve into the series' creative journey, including how the production brings the rich, immersive world of Esquivel’s novel to life, and the challenges of adapting its magical realism for a global audience. They will also discuss the complex process of producing a local series with the ambition and potential to cross international borders.

Directed by the renowned Julián de Tavira and Ana Lorena Pérez Ríos, the HBO production boasts a star-studded Mexican cast, including Irene Azuela, Azul Guaita, Ari Brickman, Ana Valeria Becerril, Andrea Chaparro, Andrés Baida, Ángeles Cruz, and Louis David Horné. The series, shot entirely in Mexico, is poised to make a significant impact when it premieres soon on HBO and Max.

The Iberseries & Platino Industria event, taking place from October 1 to 4 at Matadero Madrid, is a premier gathering for over 1,500 professionals in the film and audiovisual industries. The event is organized by EGEDA and the Secuoya Foundation, in collaboration with FIPCA, with the support of the Community of Madrid, Madrid City Council, ICEX Spain Export and Investment, and the sponsorship of the Madrid Film Office and Film Madrid.